You wont believe this....well, you might 🤦‍♀️

[Peppermints]

I asked the doctors on monday to add some tests onto my follow up bloods my blood test appointment yesterday.

The doctor agreed reluctantly 😞

I just want all the tests done at once to rule everything out.

Additional tests asked for.

Full thyroid including T3, t4 and antibodies.

Rheumatology tests.

Kidney function

Hbac1 and cholesterol again.

Full blood count

......and intrinsic factor.....

Gp was knowledge as to why I'd asked for these tests but suggested I was "fishing" for something so he will "entertain " me.

Got to my appointment yesterday and for one, hadnt added these tests on (they had to ping the gp🙄🤨). Additional tests confirmed. The phlebotomist didnt know what intrinsic factor was and had not tested for it before. I overheard the nurses and phlebotomist looking it up on the internet and talking about it.

My nurses have been great with my b12 shot but they seem not to know about PA much then?

I dont know what to make of it.

No wonder were all in such a pickle!!!!

45 minutes later and 5 tubes of blood(couldnt get a vein ether😫)

Let's see what the results are in Friday.

[Nackapan]

Yrs I'm not surprised.It won't be done very often .

Mine was never done.

Phlebotomists have minimal training .

More about drawing of blood safely.

Are paid a pittance

So woujd not be expected to know anything other than 'routine' bloods.

Good they worked it out and iu were not sent to the hospital.

Let us know how you get on

[Peppermints in reply to Nackapan]

Oh certainly not criticising! She did a great job especially getting blood out of my tiny veins....Just highlighted my thoughts on lack of knowledge when the nurse googled it was all! It was the nurse that gave me my shots too and was also really lovely! The doctors I may have a few disagreements with though but I'm standing my ground!!!!

[Hidden]

The doctor said that you were "fishing", isn't that what doctors do in getting blood test done ... "fishing to find out what's wrong with you"

🐠🐟🦈 ..... you never know when they might catch something.

😂😜🤪

[Narwhal10]

Hi Peppermints,

I am so sorry to hear. To be perfectly honest, sadly I am not surprised that bloods weren’t ordered and they didn’t know which bottle.

Hope you get results.

Best wishes

[Peppermints in reply to Narwhal10]

I've had a few results back. My b12 is at 2000 and vitamin D is 147 (50-144)Folate is at 8.8 (3.8-26.8)

TSH has jumped from 1.9 to 2.71 since the end of april. I'm waiting for a full thyroid panel results and other results as yet.

[FlipperTD]

Just a thought; what you probably wanted was 'an Intrinsic Factor Antibody test' which could have been some of the confusion. Whilst it's much more convenient to have the bloods done in the surgery and sent in to the lab, there are times when it's preferable to have the samples taken in the hospital, because it reduces the miles between 'arm and analyser'. Some tests aren't particularly affected by any delays, but some are. I would always advise if anyone gets an 'iffy' result for anything, then most things are better fasting, and collected in the hospital phlebotomy suite.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to FlipperTD]

Could be - but not much of a leap, is it ?Good advice about hospital testing to shorten distance.

[rogergee in reply to FlipperTD]

Well that's an interesting point to note FlipperTD, thank you.

I'm due to have blood tests in a few weeks. The GP told me to go and ask 'the girls' to book me in for one at the surgery on my way out. Normally they're mad keen around here for you to go to the hospital's satellite place. I wasn't sure if he was just being nice after gaslighting me, or had some ulterior motive...

[FlipperTD in reply to rogergee]

You'll probably know all the stories about 'Friday cars' etc, and whilst labs aren't quite like that, if there's an influx of samples from all over the city, then things can be compromised. If stuff is sent in an uninsulated van, then things can happen too. I would [personally] avoid blood being taken in the afternoon, especially on a Friday afternoon. I'll let you work out why...

In distant days gone by, I had one or two patients who used to come and see me to have their blood taken in the department, and watch it being analysed and ask about the methods. Not something that would happen nowadays, for lots of reasons.

[rogergee in reply to FlipperTD]

Haha, yes indeed. Sound advice.

[EllaNore]

Good luck!! Ya docs spend a lot of money becoming docs and when we come in and tell them what to do, they get their egos hurt and get defensive. Never heard of all those tests. You all seem to know so much.