Pretty Annoyed

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

I was scheduled to get my iron panel bloods done today.TIBC, TSAT and yet another blooming liver profile. I must have the most frequently tested liver in existence.today would have been the third time in three months. I was also due to have vitamin D tested at my request.

So I got to the blood taking unit,got the printed forms for the phlebotomist when I noticed a second form. Low and behold another thyroid test. I think this was an error, I had thyroid tests done at the end of June,and it was satisfactory ( to them anyway) .My surgery did have to chase up the lab as my results weren't sent through in the normal way.

I know the thyroid tests were not on my patient record as I always check to see which tests have been ordered. However I took thyroid meds this morning and had a coffee so there was no way I wanted the thyroid test. I had to tell the reception staff to cancel the appointment. So no bloods were done., for any test.

when I checked the form it said that thyroid levels needed to be checked due to dose increase, the doctor didn't change my dose and I've had no interaction with them at all regarding the thyroid results.so they must be OK with them. I think this is either an old blood form they've printed off or a duplicate request. I checked my patient record online and no thyroid tests were ordered, just the iron ones.

I didn't want to tell the phlebotomist there had been a mistake as I figured they'd just take the bloods anyway and they'd get tested. I dont know whether to contact my surgery and get them to check with the blood taking unit or just not bother and forget the blood tests. My ferritin was slightly elevated but that's due to me taking iron tablets as I explained to the GP.My previous liver profiles were all normal.

 colossal waste of time and effort.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sparklingsunshine

I noticed a second form. Low and behold another thyroid test.

I had to tell the reception staff to cancel the appointment. So no bloods were done., for any test.

All my blood tests are done at the surgery so it's a different system to yours, but if there was a second form for a thyroid test could you not have just withheld the form?

There was no need to cancel. You could just have refused consent for the thyroid test. They cannot test without your informed consent so you could have just said "I do not want the thyroid test". If they had gone ahead and done it after that then that is a breach of medical ethics and your human rights and you could have made a formal complaint.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi

I didn't know you could refuse. I did think about withdrawing the second form and stuck it in my bag but just assumed it would be on the system anyway and they would use blood from the phial I submitted as its the same gold top.