PA blood test

[Odinil]

Ive been refused a PA blood test by my gp. My blood test results for B12 and Folate came back Normal/low borderline on the chart. Since reading all the comments on here ive started to think that all my problems may be more to do with a B12 deficiency and not so much my thyroxine meds that ive suffered with for 6 years. My gp says my B12 is normal but its normal borderline and so is my folate. Medicheck blood test results also came back also low.

My question is if i pay to have a private PA blood test and it proves i have a problem will my gp have to take action. Or will my gp keep referring back to his own blood test results. A private PA blood test is very expensive but i am willing to pay for it if my nhs gp accepts the results.

[fbirder]

No, your GP will not have to act on the results of a private blood test.

But include a copy of those results, with a bullet-point list of symptoms, in a letter to the GP, with copies sent to the practise manager and the local MP and the doc will find it more difficult to refuse.

[Odinil in reply to fbirder]

Thanks for advice x

[wedgewood]

I suspected P.A. , when my b12 blood serum showed low,.,but my NHS doctor insisted that all was normal ......I already had many symptoms . I went to a private doctor at a Nuffield Hospital ,who tested me , and my Intrinsic Factor test was positive .My NHS doctor accepted this and started B12 injections This cost more than an IFAB ( Intrinsic Factor Antibody test ) done today. Consultation fee plus IFAB test .—— This was £150 six years ago . Can’t imagine what it might cost today .

Medichecks charge £100.00 for an IFAB test plus the cost of taking blood at local clinic /hospital (£30.00 ) Or more if a nurse comes to your home . it’s not a finger -prick test. A full P.A. test including IFAB , MMA , and other tests —cost £280 + £30 for blood sample taken at a clinic .

I don’t know if your NHS doctor would accept private laboratory tests . Some certainly do . He/she should because they are well-run laboratories.

You must realise that the IFAB test shows negative in about. 50 % of P.A. patients . . If you do have P.A. , then the antibodies would eventually show up . if you continually keep testing . ( at what cost ?)

If you do intend having a test , do not supplement with B12 or folate for at least 2 weeks before hand .

Best wishes .

[Odinil in reply to wedgewood]

Thanks for advice x