diabetes misdiagnosis

[Iona467]

Although my Mother and two brother's have diabetes, my GP refuses to take it seriously. Despite having high readings, which I did not know about, a stand-in Rheumatologist told me he was concerned and then having an extremely high HPA1c reading, (which my GP said was a mistake and made me take readings until one was high but not serious), nothing was done. These previous test do not seem to be on the system, according to the Diabetes nurse at the practise, only two for this year, the HPA1c and one saying high but not high enough for Diabetes. No other tests to be taken. However, due to my health problems, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, osteoporosis , ongoing hospital appointment for eyes and back, and RA, I was put on a pre diabetes programme just to be monitored a month ago.

However, yesterday the hospital rang me to say I was being taken off it as I have Diabetes reading for my HPA1c and too high. My GP will not let any other GP treat me in the surgery, when I go to see them they say they cannot comment on my results but will record it and send to my GP. My GP says if I go anywhere else she will stop my treatment.

What should I do?

[Hidden]

Iona, are you in the UK? I am horrified at your GP; she cannot withdraw treatment like that. You need to speak to the practice manager ASAP.

[Ali_H]

Change doctors!

[Hidden]

I'm horrified too! What treatment will she stop? I feel this behaviour must be in breech of professional conduct or something?

My old GP, whom I thought quite highly of for the most part, refused to check my vitamin D levels and rarely took my BP. So I had my D level done privately and it was insufficient - the doctor phoned from the private clinic to let me know and my GP was forced to back down and prescribe AdCal D3.

My BP was consistently high during four hospital admissions this year and yet my GP managed to get it down to normal range on the few occasions he tested it. For this reason he refused to treat it despite both my younger sisters being on BP meds and my parents both having died prematurely and suddenly from heart failure due to athlerosclerosis - which I'm also borderline for. I moved to a new location recently and the new GP looked at my home readings and put me straight on a BP med. I would certainly consider complaining to the practice manager if I were you - this sounds plain wrong to me.

[Iona467 in reply to Hidden]

yes, it is so wrong, also she refuses to go through any of my blood tests either and I have 4 areas abnormal!

[Hidden in reply to Iona467]

What are you going to do though Iona? Could you write a letter to the practice manager?

[Iona467 in reply to Hidden]

I am too worried to do that as currently having operations for other things too. My GP was OK until I asked to have a different Rheumatologist, after this my treatment was terrible, and still is.

[flow4]

I would contact Healthwatch. They are an independent health 'watchdog' organisation, working in partnership with charities in most areas to provide patient support/advocacy. If you google 'healthwatch' plus the name of your local authority, you should find the one in your area. I have found our local one very helpful.

[Iona467 in reply to flow4]

I'll take a look at it, thanks

[nomoreheels]

Being held to ransom by your GP isn't only threatening it's unethical. Clearly others more concerned about your health are reacting to the highly probable/positive diabetes concern as should your GP & threatening, because that's what it is, to stop your treatment just is not on.

If you wish to first make an informal complaint make an appointment or ask to speak with the Practice Manager to discuss your concerns. Your GP surgery should also have a written complaints procedure, check on their website or ask a receptionist. Or you if you prefer you could contact your local Clinical Commissioning Group, again check the website, you'll find the complaints procedure there (NHS choices has a CCG finder page).

Alternatively ask around locally & change GP Practice which would be my thought as it would seem that the other GP's in the Practice don't have minds of their own & ruled with a rod of iron. It's my guess they're salaried, possibly with a GP retainer or two depending on the size of the Practice.

[Ali_H]

You are allowed to have another person in the room for any consultation so maybe doing that will change things as you will then have a witness and it maybe enough to alter your Drs attitude.

Ali

[Jacey15]

Change GP! What you describe is shocking. If you feel unable, ask for a glucose tolerance test. It's the gold standard for diabetes diagnosis and you can look up the world health organisation definition / interpretation of the results. Your GP cannot argue with that. J xXx