Blood draws for private testing?

[Bubble89]

I’m going to get some bloods done by medichecks, and the tests I’m going for recommend having blood drawn instead of finger prick. I’m have no access to any of their partner clinics though. Has anyone had blood drawn for private testing? Wondering how much resistance I’m going to get if I try to get this done by a nurse at my surgery...or even if they would do it?

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated!

[gills2]

I just had mine done last week and had the same problem. I did eventually pluck up the courage and phoned the nurse at my GP clinic. She said she would have to check with GP first, which she did and then called me back to say it was fine. She was very nice and interested in why I was having the tests done.

[tzracer]

I asked at surgery and receptionist was surprised at why I would need private blood test. I replied because doctor/lab won't do the ones I need. She got back to me and said I would need to take the kit in prior to the nurse doing it. Couldn't tell me if there would be a charge though. I got T3 tested by endo in the end.

Hope you get sorted.

[1dolly]

I had mine done at my GP surgery - the nurse did my usual (useless) tests and I got my private ones done at the same time. She didn't complain as she knows they won't do them there (and I'm quite scary!)

[Hidden]

I never even considered asking my GP but went to a private hospital 10 miles away.

You pay Medichecks the blood draw fee and they cover the costs directly with their approved clinics. May well be cheaper dealing with a GP if co-operative?

[Bubble89]

Thanks everyone. Im in the Channel Islands which is why I can’t access a clinic. We pay for our nurse/gp appointments here which I’m hoping may work in my favour. I’m having a blood test from the doctor today, but he’s not testing everything I wanted hence the private bloods.

I’ll get the kit ordered then speak to him about it when I go in next week. I’m not holding out much hope with him. He was very sympathetic and lovely but didn’t seem to have much of a clue. He agreed to test T3 but said it isn’t useful, and when I asked for antibodies he put down TPO but said he didn’t know about TG.

Im hoping if I get the private panel done and take it along with his results and some info from the TUK website he may be open to listening though. Fingers crossed!

[Phoenix605 in reply to Bubble89]

I get mine done whilst nurse is doing NHS ones, the additional tube takes 10 seconds as the needle is already in my arm and they have never quibbled as know lab wont do FT3/4. I just produce the tube and ask if they can fill it whilst they are at it.

Some multi tests require more of the finger prick tubes to be filled which can be a struggle eveen when you are practiced at it, hence the recommendation for blood draw kit.

[Bubble89 in reply to Phoenix605]

Thanks Phoenix, that’s really useful. I’m going to order the kit and I’ll take it with me next time

[MarthaF]

Hi

I did a medichecks test, the thyroid 11 one including vits and minerals and did fingerprick at home although it recommended blood draw by a nurse. The results came through. This is of course just my one off experience and it may not be the same for you plus I don't know which blood test you're doing. Just to let you know my experience if you can't access a clinic

[Bubble89 in reply to MarthaF]

Thanks for your reply. I was going to go ahead with the finger prick but I’ve read some other posts about doctors querying the results based on method of sample collection. I don’t want to give him any reasons to argue with me if I can avoid it so for this one I want to try blood draw. I will use the finger pricks for monitoring going forward though

[janveron1]

I have a great nurse at my GP centre who instantly agreed to draw blood when I asked. She recognised me from the regular crowd waiting every morning. I would have joined the queue any way except the container is different! Bit of a give away!! But all OK.

janveron1