Blood test

[Lisa-1967]

I can't believe so many on this forum are having private blood test is that because the NHS won't pay.

[steviecat]

It may be - but it's also true that many have given up on their doctors and are going it alone. And fessing up to self-treating with NDT or T3 from overseas is likely to have the doctor wash his (or her) hands of you.

[greygoose]

And because the NHS considers many essential tests unimportant, and won't do them.

[LadyBarb]

Even worse than that Lisa ~ many Docs are placing all their faith ONLY on the TSH results. My Doc was even surprised that the Labs had done the T3 test ~ as many Labs don't do it, even when requested by a Doc. A Lab decides ..!!!???

And just to put the icing on the cake (at least in my case) I, too, offered to personally pay for further tests ~ and was told the Practice wouldn't accept non-NHS test results..!

Have you been given 'further tests' on the NHS? Even asked for them? Been granted them? I'd be very, very interested to know! (I'm making the assumption that as you're on this Forum, that you are being/ have been tested for a Thyroid problem of some sort?)

[Lisa-1967 in reply to LadyBarb]

I've been tested for thyroid and this was shown as been slightly under so they prescribed levothyroxine. A couple of months ago I had more cramps and aches not feeling well. Phoned doctor, he phoned increasing my dose to 100, which helps initially then you get symptoms backA few weeks ago I came off, I feel like I'm putting too much weight on. Aches are back again and sometimes cramping. Was going to ask about tests such as vit b12 but that like it will be a no. I wish there was more help out there, it's such a battle to get anything. My appointment was made nearly a month ago.

[LadyBarb in reply to Lisa-1967]

Sorry you're going through so much Lisa ~ I guess you could ask for the tests and see what happens? I kind of manipulated my Doc re me having a Vitamin D Test (as that's her favourite 'test' to do!) ~ and then I said while you're doing that, I could do with my B12, Ferritin and Folate done please? (OMG, you should have seen her face ~ but, she did them!)

It's the biggies my lot will absolutely not do for me. They'd done the TSH, FreeT4 and FreeT3. (Even the Doc was surprised that the FreeT3 was done!

I was looking for TPO Antibodies, TSI Antibodies, ReverseT3, T4 and T3. Not a chance.

I don't have Insurance, but I'd made it clear that I was willing to invest in my health and pay for these tests only to be told: "we don't accept non-NHS tests". Like ... WHAT..???

If your Doctor's Practice won't do tests for you, Thyroid UK has a list of companies who do do tests for a fee! However, after my experience with my Doctor's Practice, I'd ASK FIRST if your Surgery will accept any tests you have done privately, if you're in a situation to pay for them? Not everyone is, of course!

The attitude of the Medical Practice I'm currently with, leaves me with virtually nowhere to go, apart from accept the NHS tests of "normal" which is ridiculous when there are as many variations within the illness, as there are people ~ "one size" does NOT fit all..!

But, it was made clear that the only results that they're interested in anyway, are the TSH results. Nuts! Absolutely nuts. I don't really believe that they're SO ignorant about Thyroid conditions. I do think that it suits them to be so rigid. Won't suit their patient's health ~ so why would they not care?

My mother nearly died from Hypothyroidism, always having had NHS "normal' results.

I've no desire, nor intention, of going the same way! The Doctors know my mother's history, but are leaving me nowhere to go to ensure my own health, even with me paying for the tests?! It doesn't make any sense, does it?

I think ITYFIALMCTT is perhaps right. It all depends on where you live!

Getting the Thyroid balance right can be a problem for a number of people ~ and I'm slowly getting the impression that some Doc's can and do make things difficult for people who have difficulties with that balance, as it takes time and effort for both patient and Doctor! Either that, or I'm getting entirely paranoid on the basis of my own limited experience...

Just think ~ a new 'time management' programme for Doctors? Keep your patient's sick for longer instead of doing all you can to heal them quickly?

I'm at the point of considering what Steviecat's mentioned, and finding out about 'going it alone' ~ and obviously NOT telling the Doctor!

I doubt the Practice will rush to do another Thyroid test on me, given their attitude towards people with the symptoms of having a Thyroid problem and their rigid 'code' which leaves people *stuck* with their health problem.

The Doc wouldn't give me a letter of referral to a Private Consultant ~ but would give me a referral to an NHS Consultant, and when I asked how long that might take ... I was told, with a shrug, it basically wouldn't be measured in 'months'!

Why stop me paying to see a Consultant privately within a couple of days? They never had that attitude before? Again, they're not paying the bill ... but again, this manic "must be NHS" attitude, being only too aware that the NHS is already under horrific pressure.

It certainly makes sure that the Surgery doesn't have to deal with my Thyroid problem / balance etc., any time soon, and leaves me sick for a good lot longer, that's for sure! No wonder I'm paranoid..!

Good Luck Lisa, I hope you get at least the basics done for you? When is your appointment now? B x

[bluebug in reply to LadyBarb]

Interesting - where I am they tell people to get some vitamin tests privately and if there are other test results on the page they will use them to treat you.

[LadyBarb in reply to bluebug]

Seems to depend on where you live?

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Pretty much depends on where you live - where I am, the GPs will regularly ask if you have insurance so that they won't have to spend the practice budget.

My local CCG will not pay for a number of tests that are available in other areas, nor will they sanction referrals to consultants in the absence of some blood work markers etc. (depending on condition) nor will they allow X-rays to be ordered to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

I'm regularly surprised by the number of ECGs, scans, and other tests that people here report that they've had on the NHS - it's that substantial a difference, depending on where you live.

[LadyBarb]

Everything seems to becoming a Post Code Lottery! I'm so sick and tired of it~ and so sick and tired..!

The 'cut backs' are only going to become worse, I think that's clear to some, but will become clearer in the months and years to come!

Growing older now appears to be a 'sin' ~ it was never made so obvious to me before having to go into hospital this past week, with obvious 'gallbladder' problems, being given x-rays that don't show anything via the x-rays (which need to be done with, at the very least, dyes to show up any problems and of course this wasn't done with the x-rays (!) ~ no simple ultrasound was done, in an attempt to make things clearer, and no CT scan was done..!

Instead ... because I'm grey-haired, face grey with pain, hair undone, no make up on, etc., the "I'm from Surgical" ass*ole decided that I'd had a bad fall at home (not a bruise on my body to back that up, and I bruise rather easily!) ~ and he came and congratulated me that I hadn't 'shattered' my shoulder blade (scapula) and was as pleased as punch with himself..!!!

At that point I "lost it" ~ after more than 12 hours in A&E (I'd stopped counting the time!) ~ No painkillers, no fluids, nothing to eat obviously ~ I told him how things actually 'were' and not what he'd like to suppose them to be in his rather wild imagination..! I'm also raising a complain against him!

He said I'd get some antibiotics, and despite the dosage I had been taking not even being looked up (I'd typed out not only by me, but also by the Ambulance Paramedic, including all the info: Allergies: Current Meds, Dosages, etc..) ~ he gave me the wrong dosage ~ then as a final insult ~ he offered me Morphine for the pain ~ and in large red letters, at the top of the list, was "highly allergic to Morphine"..!

His total arrogance, ignorance and not even looking at the notes for Allergies when they were right in front of him, was totally unbelievable..!

B xx