Battling with GP for bloods

[Boatin]

I'm assuming practices (understandably) have been told to tighten the purse strings further. I'm overdue a blood test mainly because I couldnt get through to the practice to even talk to someone let allow speak to GP after they sent me automated texts.

After finally getting through I requested, as per my previous blood tests, that tests for Antibodies, ferritin, folate, vit D and B12 in addition to the TSH be added.

After a week of waiting I got a text to say I needed to speak with my usual Dr, as the GP that the request was sent to said this wasn't necessary. After a couple more weeks of failed attempts to talk to my usual Dr I finally got a text t say that he too had turned down this request and it is only necessary to test TSH.

Surely the amount of time taken up speaking to receptionist and messages back and forth that it would actually just been cheaper to agree to the additional tests? I've now given up and paid for another private test - so in a way their plan worked!😊

Is there any guidance regards which tests should be requested?

Thanks

[SarahJane1471]

I feel your frustration! It matches mine re GP availability. I went for the full panel of bloods via Blue Horizon. TSH FT4 FT3 Ferritin folate b12 magnesium Vit d. With discount code it was £96.

If you just want the basic TSH FT4 FT3 then I believe Monitor my Health is the cheapest and is an NHS lab so in theory your GP should accept the results

[Boatin in reply to SarahJane1471]

Many thanks - yes this is the one I normally order with the discount, their turnaround time is great even with the comments option👍

[Lalatoot]

Boatin there is no need for the antibodies test. Antibodies fluctuate all the time. The test is really only useful for diagnosis and you already know you have hashimotos.Some surgeries have a policy of no ft3 testing. I only got mine regularly done by the GP as my TSH was sky high.

[Boatin in reply to Lalatoot]

Ok thanks I didn't know that - I'll be less concerned about that one. Cheers

[SlowDragon Administrator]

NHS only tests thyroid antibodies once

Thyroid testing, rare to get more than TSH these days unfortunately

Budget restrictions means only testing vitamin D once every 2 years …..and then only very reluctantly

Many members get full thyroid and vitamin testing privately once a year and, if changing dose between these tests will use monitor My Health testing for just TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 £26.10 with discount code from Thyroid U.K.

All tests, early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Private test only do early Monday or Tuesday morning

[McPammy]

I think it’s a bit of a lottery regarding GP practices allowing blood tests or not. I’m very lucky that my surgery agrees to get my bloods done every 3 months while I’m getting my regular B12 injection. I get TSH, T4 and T3. Cortisol. Lipids. Full blood count. Vit D. Folate and ferritin every time. I then pass my results to my private only Endocrinologist and my NHS Endo.

This way they can make informed decisions when prescribing my T3 medication. My TSH is virtually always in range along with my T4 and T3. It’s proof I need the medications also.

You could try using the approach that you need the results to check if your medication is at the right levels. If you’re on medication they should check. Also mention PALS in your conversation to the practice manager. You shouldn’t have to be paying privately for these tests. I never have as it is all available on the NHS.

[Boatin in reply to McPammy]

Thanks for this - in fairness the practice until now have been pretty good with blood tests, although I've probably paid for over half of the tests I've had to date.

My medication has been raised and then lowered, I think I'm now under medicated again as some of my brain fog (although it never fully goes) has returned. Ive previously been prescribed high dose Vit D so I don't understand their logic - part of the issue is that you never see/speak to the same GP, so you're having to explain all over again.

I've ordered my normal Gold Blue Horizon test and I'll get it sent back this week - so hopefully results back by the end of the week. Then it will be a case of trying to get speak to the GP, so it will probably take another month to sort.

Many thanks

[McPammy in reply to Boatin]

It’s just awful going over it time and time again due to lack of continuity with a GP. I totally get that. I don’t bother with my GP’s much. I just check the results myself and how I’m feeling. Thankfully mine stay good and I feel good. Can you just increase your medication yourself after putting your results on here and feedback. You’ll always know better than any GP on how you’re feeling. But I guess if you need to increase you’ll need to increase your prescription also. I’d just keep requesting the repeats anyway. If they see any issue they’ll call you in for blood tests maybe. That way you’ll get tested too. Sometimes you just have to work them and try and be one step ahead. Crazy I know to keep yourself feeling well. When it’s them that should be one step ahead supporting your health.

I hope it works out for you.