MENOPAUSE OR THYROID

[Cheekyme]

Hi all,

So my test info came in the post today from medichecks, I called my drs to book a blood test and they said I have to pay £15 is this normal?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

To be honest you're lucky they will do it at all. My surgery, nor my main hospital, will do it even for a fee. You have to remember this is a private test and your surgery has no obligation to draw blood or even look at the results. However, some surgeries are willing to do it.

If you book phlebotomy with an agency or Medichecks it will cost a fair bit more than £15.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Medichecks offer private draw at wide selection of private hospitals or clinics, (see their website) cost is higher at £25

Alternative is DIY finger prick test. Not always easy (or possible to do for some tests)

[Miffie]

If you have a venous test from Medichecks then did you not have to pay £25 for the private hospital of your choice. That is what I have always done for a venous sample. The other choice is it have it done at home which costs more.

Have they now started supplying venous kits to source your own phlebotomist? I am keen to know.

£15 is a bargain.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Miffie]

I believe that Medichecks will always give you the option to either book one of their phlebotomists, or get the kit to source your own. And then if the test allows there's also the option to do a finger prick sample.

[Miffie in reply to SilverAvocado]

Thank you Silver Avocado, I missed that option in my head. Probably because I have always known it would be more hassle and cost to use my GP services. I should check before commenting. Lets hope I didn’t cause too much grief! x

[MMaud]

Cheekyme - It takes so long to arrange a blood test, via my GP that I simply don't bother. I trundle off to the hospital phlebotomy area for everything.

Recently, I was having some NHS bloods done there, but also had a Medichecks test to be done. I asked if "whilst in there" she'd fill another vial. She was happy enough to do it, n that basis.

I had to have the Medichecks redone (biotin assay interference), so obviously couldn't rock up to the hospital again. I had the blood drawn in my home, by a professional phlebotomist (works in my local cottage hospital, mainly) at 08:00 on a Saturday morning.

bookabloodtest.com/?fbclid=...

The standard blood draw, in your own home, is £15, but before 08:30, it's £20.

They do draw for NHS tests too, if getting in to have the blood drawn is an issue, then drop off the vial(s) and paperwork at a collection point .

Obviously free is best, but otherwise in one's own home works for me too.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

My GP surgery quoted £30 so £15 is great! I’ve got better at filling the vials myself to save money- if you do this, do check out ‘tips for blood draw’ in the search bar to assist.

[Cheekyme]

Thanks everyone for your replies £15 it is🤑

[Lora7again]

Yes I have paid £10 for my local hospital which is 10 mins away in the past. A private hospital wanted £25. However last time I turned up at my local hospital and took a ticket to wait my turn (9am and I didn't eat anything before hand just water) They did not charge me and they used a smaller needle because the medichecks was too big they informed me. I then went straight to the post office and I received my result 6 days later online.

[Panda_26]

Agree, - £15 and a willingness to do it for you is great . Mine refuse at any cost!

[Lora7again in reply to Panda_26]

Who refuses at any cost? Medichecks told me where to go for my blood tests ... the first time it was at a private hospital which cost me £20 and the second was at a local Hospital which is 15 minutes away, which didn't charge me.

[Panda_26 in reply to Lora7again]

Lucky you , my gp just refuse even when I’ve said I’m more than happy to pay a fee ... I’ve always had to pay at a private hospital which it cheap !