Blood test results - not available??? - Thyroid UK

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Blood test results - not available???

26 Replies

I had my blood test done last week (12th Feb) as ordered by my Endo at the hospital for thyroid function test and coeliac and the blood draw was done at my GP practice, however when I asked the receptionist (as well as my GP at the appointment today) if they were able to view my results themselves, they said they were no available to view apart from the fact the blood draw was done in GP clinic.

Any reason why this is?

Thanks

Jo xxx

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26 Replies

Hi

It may be that they are testing antibodies etc. I think? they test TSH and depending on that result they may go on and do further tests. x

in reply to

Hi, thanks for your reply.

As far as I was aware they were just testing TSH. Antibodies were done back in December and were elevated. I was prescribed thyroxine but will restart it tomorrow as instructed by my GP.

Jo xxx

Hi there,

I can confirm that when my Endo orders blood tests for me they only go back to him at the hospital and not to my GP ( contact by my Endo to my GP would be by letter)

Any that are ordered by the GP are normally back to the surgery within a few days - a week depending on the type of test. The test forms from the Endo at hospital are different to those from the GP too.hope this helps.X

in reply to

Hi Marfit!! Thanks for your reply.

My Endo posted me the blood test order form to give to my practice, which I did (and for some reason my practice initially didn't know what to do with it as if it was the first time they'd seen such a thing!)

It's highly likely that the results the Endo has are in a different format than those done by the GP, I guess, in that case - and so cannot be read by the GP system? Just a thought...

Would it be the same principle if the results were abnormal? I had a missed call from the Endo Friday and Monday but whenever I have called her back I keep getting told she is busy or there is no answer at reception.

It is putting me off calling her altogether at the moment as I am getting nothing back but missed calls when I am not around and messages that just say "I am calling to discuss your blood test results - please call back on the department's number located on your letter." I'm wondering if the Endo will resort to sending me the results by post as she posted my blood test order form to me as well as a copy of the short synacthen test which she cc'd me in for.

Jo xxx

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Jo,

The likely reason is that the endo's hospital IT and your GP practice IT systems don't speak to each other.

Another is that endo will almost certainly want to review results before making them available to your GP. Endo probably hasn't reviewed your results yet but anything extraordinary would have been flagged up for urgent attention.

Have you contacted endo's secretary to ask for a good time to call back?

in reply toClutter

Hi Clutter, thanks for your reply.

I did ask to be called back during late afternoon but the secretary I spoke to says that because the Endo works between two hospitals she finishes at different times. I'm wondering if it might be worth sending an email to her instead as I have the department's email address.

Jo xxx

in reply to

Yes, Karisma, you should definitely do this. You need to start a dialogue with this doctor. If you can't be in when she calls and she can't call when you're in then you need to break that cycle and establish an alternative method of communication. She could be trying to contact about something urgent in your results. When you are e-speaking you can ask her for a copy of your results.

in reply to

Hi Humphrey, thanks for your reply.

I'll have to get onto this tomorrow although the secretary does not work Fridays. Not sure if this is across both hospitals however.

Jo xxx

Hi Jo why not just bluntly ask the gp or the reception at the surgery why they can't be accessed by them they would have the reason.all on here can only hazard a guess!

in reply to

Hi Cupi, thanks for your reply.

I'm not trying to mess anyone about, I can only assume they use different systems. I didn't want to be cheeky and ask them why they couldn't see for themselves.

Jo xxx

yenool profile image
yenool

As you say, different systems that aren't linked together is the most likely cause. I believe my GP can access results from one local hospital I attend but not another; something to do with the IT. Also even if possible the GP most likely would not be happy to access and release any results until the consultant and reviewed them.

Finally the 12th isn't that long ago. It may be that not all tests have come back yet?

in reply toyenool

Hi Yenool, thanks for your reply.

I was under the impression that thyroid function tests only took a few days and coeliac takes a bit longer. I thought that seeing as the Endo tried to call me about the results yesterday that meant that they had all come back.

Jo xxx

yorkshiregirl44 profile image
yorkshiregirl44

Hi Joe,

When my endo ordered blood tests my doctor didnt recieve them. I then got a letter from the endo saying that i had vit D defficency. Only after i had the results did my doctor recieve a copy.

in reply toyorkshiregirl44

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'll hang on for a few more days then. :)

Jo xxx

Jackie profile image
Jackie

Hi Jo, They do take longer from hospital, due to consultant checking them. Phone the sec in a few more days and ask, make sure they include the ranges as not automatic from a hospital.

Jackie

in reply toJackie

Hi Jackie, thanks for your reply.

I'll call in a few more days but I don't understand why the Endo called me beforehand about them.

Jo xxx

Jackie profile image
Jackie in reply to

Hi I agree odd but even letters sent out from hospital, go a long route and are usually "in the Post" for about a week.

Jackie

in reply toJackie

Hi Jackie!! Thanks for letting me know.

Maybe I'm still waiting on a letter from them as the results for the Short Synacthen Test which were normal were sent to me through post.

Jo xxx

Jackie profile image
Jackie in reply to

Hi Jo,

I would ask the Endo to do the more reliable test for the Adrenal glands, if you do not feel right on the correct treatment. for thyroid.

Jackie

in reply toJackie

Hi Jackie, thanks for your reply.

Sorry, which more reliable test for the adrenal glands is available? I still have the saliva test kit sent to me by Genova Diagnostics but due to money going on other things (car tax disc) this money will most likely have to be put by until next month especially for the test kit itself.

Is this the test you mean? If so is it one the Endos and GPs trust? I heard that some Endos and GPs do not rely on adrenal testing or is this something not heard of before?

Thanks!!

Jo xxx

Jackie profile image
Jackie

Hi Jo, The only one my Endo says is any use, and I have proved this myself. 24 hour urine collection, cortisone tablet at midnight,, script and a blood test at 9am. I would wait and see how you are when thyroid etc sorted. that is the best time , as it can help the Adrenal glands and treatment, in any case, might then not be needed.

best wishes,

Jackie

in reply toJackie

Hi Jackie, thanks for your reply.

I have restarted my Levo as of today so once the next thyroid test has come back, maybe look at the adrenal test then?

Jo xxx

Jackie profile image
Jackie in reply to

Hi it does take a while to have the thyroid right, average about a year.The Endo should do the test for you. Otherwise a GP van but more likely to want you to pay for it. they can request any private tests, but enquire cost first, Sire usually the cheapest for this. Cortisone from the gP and may be GP can do the bloods too. The urine collection , onts own is 350. If paying., but n o good without the other bits.

Jackie

in reply toJackie

Hi Jackie, thanks for your help.

So I'll be looking at possibly another year to get everything right again. Wished I'd never have stopped it now had I have known the full implications.

Jo xxx

Jackie profile image
Jackie in reply to

Hi It is really hard to have the thyroid right one of the reasons GP`s are so inadequate. you may be lucky, lets hope so. Safety is the most important thing with the meds

Jackie.

in reply toJackie

Hi Jackie, thanks for your reply.

Let's hope I am lucky since I have not been off the medication for very long.

Jo xxx

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