Accuracy of private blood test. : A question to... - Thyroid UK

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Accuracy of private blood test.

kaylala68 profile image
14 Replies

A question to all the knowledgeable people here.

I have been diagnosed with hereditary thyroid problems, my youngest daughter has symptoms so i got her tested privately. The Thyroid results were fine but B12 was very low and serum foliate was low to.

She spoke to her gp who said the blood test were inaccurate as she didn't have full blood test done...

Does anyone have any advice please.

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kaylala68
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14 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

kaylala68 Well, the GP had his nose put out of joint and his delicate ego bruised because your daughter has the audacity to have private tests done and then, just to pour salt onto the wound, showed them to the GP.

There's nothing wrong with the private tests, they are processed by an accredited lab just like the NHS ones. Did he offer to do this "full blood test"?

If B12 and Folate are low, post the results on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum here on Health Unlocked for their advice.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

Depending on how low they are, you daughter may need testing for Pernicious Anaemia, may need B12 injections, may need folic acid prescribed. Take their advice and maybe discuss with the GP. If the GP doesn't like it then he should be asked to carry out the tests himself to verify a problem or show evidence that there isn't one.

kaylala68 profile image
kaylala68 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you as always sound great advice xx

kaylala68 profile image
kaylala68 in reply to SeasideSusie

B12 is L 144 (140 -250)

Serum folate is L 4.33 (8.83-60.8)

And the gp said they would repeat but wasn't very nice about it and told her she doesn't think she has a problem.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to kaylala68

kaylala68 Oh for goodness sake, what is wrong with these doctors. There is a range. The result is woefully under range signifying something must be wrong. Ask the GP what is the point of having a reference range if they are just going to ignore it. They may have a medical degree but it seems as though they've had a maths by-pass.

Have a look at what NHS Choices say

nhs.uk/conditions/Anaemia-v...

And if a below range Folate level isn't Folate Deficiency then I'm a flaming monkey's uncle.

Please, please take these results to the PA forum. Under range Folate, barely in range B12 - further tests are necessary. They will give you the correct advice.

And your daughter's GP needs shooting!

kaylala68 profile image
kaylala68 in reply to SeasideSusie

Great advice and I will pass the info on. Thank you xx

in reply to SeasideSusie

I agree entirely and my advice would be find a doctor who will work "with" you instead of constantly wanting their ego massaged! So important. Good luck and lots of love xx

kaylala68 profile image
kaylala68 in reply to

The thing is they have been treating her for so long as if her ailments are in her head and gave her anti depressants and brushing her off. My daughter is only 23 and feels like she is 83 she is struggling so much and I just want to help her.

Thank you for your support and love xx

elliebath profile image
elliebath in reply to kaylala68

I'm sorry to read this but pleased to see your daughter may now be getting somewhere. I have a daughter of 30 who has also been suffering for a few years but will not get her bloods tested. Head in the sand but she is a grown woman and I can't drag her there.I'm sure our kids were far less worry as children altho I didn't realise it then 😊

Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... :)

and what SeasideSusie says x

kaylala68 profile image
kaylala68 in reply to Rapunzel

Thank you x

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle

Lol, what is this mysterious 'full' blood test? And if that's the only accurate way to test then why do the vast majority of our nhs docs refuse to do it and fob us off w tsh only or tsh/t4??

kaylala68 profile image
kaylala68 in reply to puncturedbicycle

Hi, that is what I thought was strange. Xx

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to puncturedbicycle

I would guess he means a Full Blood Count (known as a Complete Blood Count in the US).

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

It shows things like MCV which is high in B12 deficiency.

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

The problem is that iron deficiency reduces MCV. So if someone has low iron and low B12 their MCV may look completely normal.

kaylala68 profile image
kaylala68 in reply to humanbean

Thank you will investigate if that is what is meant.xx

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