lorrinet, blood test

[lorrinet]

Yesterday I went for my long-awaited GP appointment to ask again for a blood test. I took some info on serum ferritin levels from the John Hopkins site, but was told that the NHS does not cover the type of test that tests levels in the brain. I can have the usual test if I want it but there seems little point. I suppose I can look for a private GP but the cost is probably going to be huge. I told her I don't want to take the Ropinerol so for the moment I'm still on Dihydrocodeine. Still up during the night too early for the next dose and having to wander around for an hour first before I can take it.

[Pippins2]

Absolutely rubbish advice from your GP. I have a ferritin iron level test done every year on the NHS! X

[Madlegs1 in reply to Pippins2]

Nothing to do with the brain- it's a simple straightforward blood test.

Your Dr is being extraordinarily obtuse or just plain ignorant.

Get a new one and complain to the NHS or Medical Council or whatever body oversees Medical Practitioners in your benighted country. ( Only joking)

Cheers.

[Hidden]

I second Pippins, it's a straightforward blood test and is available on the NHS !!

I've had mine done yearly for the past 2 years.

God preserve us from the useless GP's who should know better. Does he think that they need to insert a needle directly into the brain to get at the 'brain blood' ?? what a plonker

Is there another GP in your practice you can ask ?

If not, then perhaps you should be looking at joining a new practice altogether.

(When I first saw my GP when the RLS started, she admitted from the start that she knew very little about it, in fact she asked me to tell her what I knew !!

However, she said she would find out as much as she could about it and made a new appointment for me a few days later. True to her word she did just that, which lead to a prescription for Tramadol and Gabapentin)

Keep persevering for your Ferritin level test, It's vitally important for many with RLS

Good luck

[lorrinet in reply to Hidden]

I have an idea the fault could be mine. I am confused by the information googled from John Hopkins hospital, believing that an ordinary blood test will not suffice. I'm reading about substantia nigra and various other perplexing things and I've been thinking I need some deeper test....I'd wondered about lumbar puncture....

But she has offered me a normal blood test, whereas the previous doctor refused, saying I had one 12 years ago. Is that what I need? Pardon my ignorance (and possibly my stupidity).

[Pippins2 in reply to lorrinet]

You need to ask for a ferritin iron level blood test. When you get the results ask for the actual number and repost as a normal result for someone who does not have RLS is much lower than that of someone who does have RLS x

[lorrinet in reply to Pippins2]

OK. Thanks.

[Jumpey]

Totally wrong.I have a serum ferritin level test done annually on the NHS ( or more often if necessary).Ask again.x

[DicCarlson]

I have had mine tested every 3 months - started at 49 - went to 105 with daily supplementation (Ferrous bisglycinate) - backed off to every other day. I don't take it any more 3 months or so - still at 85. %saturation is another marker - should be above 20% - mine was 25% with severe RLS. I wish docs knew more about all this.

[lorrinet in reply to DicCarlson]

It would be good if they would at least show some INTEREST in knowing more about it. Much information is available on the net but they don't bother.