Doctor has my blood results back but no phone a... - Thyroid UK

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Doctor has my blood results back but no phone apps for two weeks

LunaDancer profile image
12 Replies

Hello!

I’ve had my b12 and ferritin tested aswell as my thyroid again.

I just got a call from the doctors to say I’ve to wait on a phone app from my doctor in more than two weeks time to discuss these and that they can’t give me my results over the phone.

Is that just that? Or do I have a right to know my results if they have them?

Thanks in advance!

Oh! They were able to tell me my b12 was high without a reading. I had taken a supplement on the day my bloods were taken but the doctor said it wouldn’t affect my results.

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LunaDancer
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12 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

LunaDancer

If you are in the UK, as long as a doctor has seen your results you are legally entitled to have a copy. Always pop to the surgery and ask for a print out, that way there can be no mistakes which can happen with verbal or hand written results. If I were you I would pop along and get your results, post them on the forum (with reference ranges) for comment so you are in a position to understand/discuss them when you do speak to the doctor.

LunaDancer profile image
LunaDancer in reply to SeasideSusie

Oh wow that’s amazing to know thank you very much for that!

I’ll go tomorrow :)

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to LunaDancer

They cannot deny us a copy but some surgeries might charge a very low sum for their time and paper/ink.

MaisieGray profile image
MaisieGray in reply to shaws

shaws Other than in exceptional circumstances ie manifestly unfounded or excessive, they aren't allowed to make any charge, even for postage, since the 2018 Act. I can't immediately find the Act's reference, but this is the BMA guidance to GPs:

4.8 Can a fee be charged?

Initial access must be provided free of charge (including postage costs) unless the request is ‘manifestly unfounded’ or ‘excessive’ – in which case a ‘reasonable’ fee can be charged. These circumstances are likely to be rare and should be assessed on a case by case basis.

The ICO has advised us that a request may be deemed ‘manifestly unfounded’ if the requestor makes it clear they are only requesting the information to cause disruption to the organisation or if the requestor makes completely unsubstantiated accusations against the controller. If however, the requestor has some form of genuine intention in obtaining their information, it is unlikely the request could be deemed as manifestly unfounded.

A request could be deemed as ‘excessive’ if an individual was to receive information via a subject access request (SAR), and then request a copy of the same information within a short period of time. In this scenario, the organisation could charge a reasonable fee based on the administrative costs of providing further copies or refuse the request.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to MaisieGray

Thanks for letting me know. I'm grateful :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

B12 is almost always high if have been supplementing and B12

LunaDancer profile image
LunaDancer in reply to SlowDragon

Oh that’s such a relief re: b12.

Lupus and RA are being explored in my health currently and I just read a high b12 is often seen with these AI diseases so I’m relieved that the supplementation could cause a high reading also! It’s so easy to go to the worst case scenario and worry but I’m now feeling a lot better about that so thanks!

Great forum thank you people!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to LunaDancer

Autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) often has gluten intolerance as an issue

Gluten intolerance can sometimes be misdiagnosed as lupus

ard.bmj.com/content/63/11/1501

glutenfreesociety.org/glute...

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

LunaDancer profile image
LunaDancer in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you SO much for those links!!

I feel I'm learning so much.

I actually cut gluten out as part of my healing program when I got my first low thyroid results. I am feeling much better day to day. And from one of those links I can see you can test your genes for gluten intolerance! Crazy amazing.

I'm going to have a good read through!

Again.. thank you :)

MMaud profile image
MMaud

LunaDancer, it may not help you for this round, but most surgeries these days allow patients online access to their medical records, although some only seem to allow access to test results, appointments, and prescriptions, but some, like mine allow full access.

On that basis, I can see all my results, all correspondence and my doctors typed notes reflecting our consultations.

You would need to complete a form and take in a couple of forms of ID to set it up.

LunaDancer profile image
LunaDancer

Oh that's an amazing service! I'm unsure if my doctor offers that but will definitely check that out! Thanks :)

LunaDancer profile image
LunaDancer

Hello! Just wanted to say thank you to all - I went to the doctors today and asked for my results to be printed. The practice manager ok’d this and I’m feeling so glad I don’t have to wait 2 and a half weeks for my results! ☺️😁

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