Hi all,
I’ve just finally took the plunge and ordered a blood test kit from Medichecks (Full thyroid including vitD, active B12 and antibodies) But now I’m worrying that if the results show abnormalities and I take it to the doctor, they might refuse to accept them!? Does anyone know how things work in this instance?
Thanks x
You are right to be worried ... I took my medichecks results to my GP and he brushed them aside and said the NHS only accepts blood tests carried out by their own labs which will be just the TSH. If the TSH is out of range then they will test T4 but rarely will they test T3. I can't get anything tested by the NHS except TSH and I have Graves' disease written on my notes. I use the medichecks results to monitor my vitamin levels and antibodies etc which gives me information to self treat because the NHS will not help me.
Oh that’s a shame, hope I have better luck with mine then! Luckily mine do test FT3 & 4. I think mostly I wanted to know my ‘active’ B12 levels as the B12 levels they took were low, so dread to think what the active level is.
The NHS never tests Active B12, as far as I know. They only test serum B12. As a result your doctor wouldn't have a clue what to do with an Active B12 result even if he was given one.
Depends on the GP ......and the actual results too
If results show things out of range, then GP should either treat or at least rerun tests via NHS
Medichecks often uses same labs as NHS
My GP is more than happy to accept my Medichecks test results. I haven't had NHS test in over 6 years. At my annual review I take in copy of private test results and these are put on my NHS medical file
Come back with new post once you get results. Members can advise on next steps
Thank you, I will do x
I live in Scotland and I’ve used private services for bloods on two occasions. The first time the GP refused to look at them, causing us great upset, as my husband was ill with Graves’ disease, but as he had overlooked my husband’s symptoms, he quickly backtracked. The second time, I couldn’t get thyroid function tests checked for a 3 week period in the surgery due to staff on holiday so I called GP to say that I couldn’t wait that long (as I was feeling unwell) and that I would get them done privately immediately, if she would accept the results. She hummed and hawed, but when I mentioned that she had a duty of care to respond (I’d read GP’s responsibilities in BMA guidelines) she consented to act on the results if needed. As it happened, GP had to increase my Thyroxine.
My GP doesn't even look at my Medicheck results - just types on the system that the patient has spent £100+ on private blood tests? What's the point of that? Doesn't bother putting the results of the tests on the screen or making any comment - just very dismissive. It's a joke as the surgery only do TSH and T4 ( my TSH is under range) . I get the private tests to see where my T3 level is. I don't really understand the GP's attitude as we are saving the practice money by getting our own blood tests? Go figure....
I’m lucky as my GP does test FT3 & FT4 as well as TSH... however they are not concerned about testing antibodies... Nor concerned about vitamin levels. Very strange system we have in place isn’t it
I think it's crazy to have a health system with rules and regulations but not all the rules or regulations apply to all doctors or patients....seems like a lopsided health system.
I actually managed to get my vitamins tested at the surgery in November - I think that's a waste of time too as the ranges of some are so huge and as with thyroid bloods, if it's in range then that's fine. Everything could be bottom of range but all normal according to GP. Some people on the forum have GP's that are supportive but most seem to have a battle with them to get properly medicated. I wouldn't think I've had antibodies tested with NHS for over 30 years, since diagnosed hyperthyroid. I had them tested with Medichecks along with vitamins and full thyroid panel as per advice on the forum.
The GP appears to be behaving in a (passive) agressive manner. Quite irrational.
Well of course they know better what with them being a Dr 🙈. Do they ever read any notes on the system that may tell them facts about you? I have to keep reminding mine that I have had most of my thyroid removed, they treat me as if I just have slight hypothyroidism - I have to laugh or I would scream
Oh wow that would make me so angry too! I once asked to find out if I had Hashimoto type or the other.. the doc said ‘it doesn’t matter, there’s no point knowing, we’d treat it the same anyway’........ I said and what about the supplements and dietary changes I can make to improve it if I know if it’s an autoimmune type!!? 😠
Oh heck - that just about sums it up doesn't it? They treat us all the same way regardless of our symptoms - as long as we fit into the ranges, like little gingerbread men and women. God forbid that they should actually look at us and listen to us.
It seems stupid that NHS uses Medicheck labs but won't except the results because the patient paid for them....they should be ashamed of themselves the entire system is broken.
I was trying to find this out actually.. if they used the same labs... because I had a feeling that was the case. Makes you so angry doesn’t it.
I used Medichecks when I suspected I had thyroid problems. The results clearly showed raised TSH and elevated antibodies. My GP accepted them, fortunately. I do all my blood tests via either Medichecks or Blue Horizon, have never done an NHS blood test.
Thank you x
The way I see it is this. Get your own blood tests done, decide whether you need Levo (T4), read up, study the problem and post your results here, then ask your doctor for it (Levo i.e.). If he says, “no” go doctor shopping until you find one who will accept your diagnosis, look at your proof via your blood results and prescribe you Levo. You will probably have to set your own dose - because that’s another nightmare - and get another blood test to make sure your dose is working. Basically, if you still feel hypo you are under medicated and if you feel twitchy and anxious you are probably over medicated.
“DYI” is a bit expensive at first but you get a better result, you are in control and you are not having frustrating, depressing, bewildering arguments every month with a doc who knows next to nothing about the thyroid. Be prepared to study hard right at the beginning, I went manic on the subject for about six months, I lived and breathed all things thyroid then did all of the above. I am not so manic about it now, I know all I need to know for me, if something else happens I will hit the books again - and ask questions here.
You’re right about reading up, I went through several months of being a total geek too, soaking it all up to figure out how to help myself in the face of a bunch of morons!! It’s so worth it 😍
Thank you x
You’re welcome, if you want to message me I’m happy to share some book titles that have really helped me! X
That’s such good advice thank you. Really put things into perspective, because right now my depression is awful and a big part of it is feeling hopeless that I’m asking for help from the powers that be.. and they don’t want to know. It’s really getting me down and thinking what’s the point. But nice to hear the uphill struggle levels out eventually. Thank you x
This site can help with understanding labs. There may be some differences with European ranges. stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...
Thank you, I’ll take a look x
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