Just wondering if it is true that you can only have one blood test per year.
Had eye test & Optician said Cholesterol needed checking
went to doctors, had blood test
result came back high
told to come back in 10 months
went back to get re-test, then told have to wait a year ?
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Hi there,
It's not that there is a rationing of blood tests but that routine blood tests for things like high cholesterol, kidney function etc., are usually carried out on a routine one year basis. If you've had a test and your result indicated high cholesterol, then the correct follow-up treatment would usually be to see a GP or nurse practitioner for dietary advice and/or a prescription for statins. And then you would be followed up with a blood test to check if things are better and then yearly thereafter.
If you've received already had advise and/or medication, then the doctor will usually indicate if he/she wants you to have a follow-up blood test sooner than in one year, otherwise your computer record will flag you annually, to come in for one.
I've had a situation where I've called because I thought my blood test was nearly due and then been told that "the computer says no", and then had a GP appointment and been told to get a blood test, which was really irritating, and silly. Because it wastes a whole appointment slot that someone else could have used. So if that's what's happened to you, it's worth making a complaint. That's now been abolished in my surgery and patients have more leeway to decide if their blood tests are nearly due. However, that won't work if too many people start wanting unnecessary blood tests far too soon.
If you are worried about your current cholesterol level, make another routine appointment to see your doctor. Otherwise cholesterol is usually something to be managed on a long term basis, and you can safely wait until you are called in annually.
Thanks for the reply
From what you say, it does look like a case of the computer saying NO.
Trouble is the Doctor / Nurse at the surgery, after the first blood test said the result was high, you wouldn't believe the answer to the question of how to lower it, from the receptionist ( clearly not highly trained )
No advice was given, had to " google " which were bad & good foods etc as tablets are the last thing wanted, rather do it the healthy way.
Thanks again
Abolish screening programmes for the worried well and start treating the sick
Biologics as an immigrant