Showing GP my private blood test results?

[jib70]

Sorry to ask another question but recently had private bloods done and wondering how GP's react when shown these ? I have little confidence nowadays and find it hard to force issues. Is it a good idea or not?

Also has anyone written a list of their symptoms for a GP or does this seem like a shopping list (a friend's GP said exactly this to her when she presented a list of her symptoms!). There seem so many things wrong, but don't want to give the impression I'm making a fuss so as a wimp grateful for help on this, thanks. j.

[FancyPants54]

My old GP barely glanced at my private test results. He's left and I am seeing a lady GP now. She's lovely, a bit scatty, but very nice lady. She looks at them all and has them added to my notes. So it's luck of the draw really.

Rather than writing a list, go to the Thyroid UK web site and print off the symptom list there and tick the boxes. It's a devil of a job to find the list, but it's buried under one of the links buttons on the left. This should take you straight there. You can save the list to your computer too, for next time.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[FancyPants54 in reply to FancyPants54]

There are lots of symptoms and the official list seems to make GP's look a bit closer.

[jib70 in reply to FancyPants54]

Thank you for that advice. My good old GP recently retired and now I see a very young lady (looks about 12 years old !!) so unsure how to press my point. I will copy that list and take it with me. I absolutely know there is a problem that needs much further investigation because I know my body, but have no medical training to back it up and the thyroid is so complicated I can't talk technical Thanks for your help j

[Nanaedake in reply to jib70]

I think it's best to keep it simple rather than technical anyway so don't worry about that. Not many of us have any medical training. We just need to be persistent if we want help sorting out a problem. I think it's easy to get so far, a few apts, a few tests and then give up because we don't seem to be getting anywhere but you just need to keep going until you uncover the problem or problems and can then address them. Keep making 10min apts and raise one aspect at each visit if necessary. Don't give up until you feel you have a satisfactory answer.

[jib70 in reply to Nanaedake]

Hi Nanaedake. I'm OK with the obvious symptoms like 'I've lost nearly 2 stone and feel awful', then I'm sent for abdo etc scans which show nothing then I'm dismissed as there is no obvious cause. I even say "I think it's my thyroid" but I am really not listened to and I don't have the knowledge that so many here have (I've bought two good books to increase my knowledge btw). I'll have to put my Big Girl's Pants On I think and get more assertive. Thanks for your help j.

[Nanaedake in reply to jib70]

Well, it's a good thing the NHS has ruled out anything life threatening but that doesn't mean everything is OK in terms of your overall wellbeing as you have severe symptoms. I guess the specialists won't consider it their problem to investigate now though, it'll be back to your GP to follow-up. So it's a good idea to learn all you can about reducing inflammation and improving good gut bacteria. read up on all the links you've been given but keep pursing it with GP as something is clearly wrong.

[jib70 in reply to Nanaedake]

I am learning so much from all the good advice given here and it is such a help. Thank you j

[Hidden in reply to jib70]

Maybe having a young GP is an advantage because she's probably less likely, like some older and more experienced ones, to think she knows it all, having been around the block several times! She may also be less worn out and jaded and therefore enthusiastic enough to do some research on your problems

[jib70 in reply to Hidden]

I do hope so jnetti. Fingers crossed.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As your results showed extremely low B12 and only mid range folate

Plus low vitamin D.

Yes definitely show these to GP and ask for full testing for Pernicious Anaemia

You may need B12 injections but full testing should be done first

[jib70 in reply to SlowDragon]

I've now made a GP appointment for Friday to discuss these results. Will she be able to see that I have thyroid problems from these, or should I just get the B12 sorted first? I think my brain must be melting because I sound so hapless, sorry. I am very grateful for everyone's patience and help here. j

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jib70]

You should probably point out your high TPO antibodies as being positive for hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)

Otherwise she's likely to look at low TSH and decide you are hyperthyroid.

You low TSH may be cause of recent weight loss

Your low vitamins need sorting as first step

Then look at strictly gluten free diet.

So ask GP for coeliac blood test too. Coeliac and weight loss are common

But if negative for coeliac, you may still benefit from strictly gluten free diet. Far more people with Hashimoto's are gluten intolerant than coeliac

[jib70 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank for your reply SlowDragon, it is such a help to me. Sort the vits first, then make some of the delicious gluten free recipes I've found since reading about the benefits on here. j

[holyshedballs]

If the tests have been carried out by a properly regulated lab, the GP has to have due regard to them, according to Good Medical Practice paragraph 16:

In providing clinical care you must:

a) prescribe drugs or treatment, including repeat prescriptions, only when you have adequate knowledge of the patient’s health and are satisfied that the drugs or treatment serve the patient’s needs

b) provide effective treatments based on the best available evidence.

Any decent doctor would look at any tests results in any case.

Tests carried out on the NHS do not override any other tests, no matter what some doctors tell you.

[jib70]

Hi holyshedballs,

I needed to hear this =

"Tests carried out on the NHS do not override any other tests, no matter what some doctors tell you."

I'm just beginning on this thyroid path though have had many problems for many years and replies such as yours are such a help, thank you. j

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jib70]

Private tests and NHS tests often done at same laboratory

[StillEverHopeful]

I took a list of things I wanted to remember to ask about, just bullet points really. I also went in saying I was feeling so awful that I had resorted to private blood test.... she was really helpful. Sadly she is now on maternity leave and the next doctor doesn’t really “get” me but at least agreed to an endo referral. So the journey continues.

[jib70]

Hi StillEverHopeful. Honestly, every reply has been such a help to me.

I do hope your endo appointment gives you some answers that help, I shall look out for your posts on how things are going for you. j

[Harlech]

I have taken my blood tests results from blue horizon, including their Dr's comments, to which adviced me to see my own gp. My own gp will not accept them, due to them not done my our local labs.