sceptical of at-home private tests?

[katep82]

I saw an endocrinologist today, who said they were sceptical of the accuracy of the private thyroid panel tests I had done - she didn't query which company it was (which was Monitor my Health btw), but she still didn't accept them as fully legitimate. She ordered another blood test to be taken after my appointment, which was at 11am - so obviously the TSH will be at a different level than the ones I'd done first thing in the am at home.

Question is - have other experienced this? Doctors questioning the validity of at-home tests?

[katep82]

Just to add, she also questioned the accuracy of my private ultrasound that showed nodules requiring investigation, and ordered me to get another ultrasound at the hospital. Said she wasn't confident that the sonographer at this private place would know what they were looking at ...

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

This is pretty standard to be honest. NHS GP's and consultants will always routinely re run whatever test you have had done privately. It's not a waste that you did it though, as otherwise they might have refused to run those tests and you would have never known what they showed. Now that the NHS will run them you can continue your care free on the NHS.

Blood tests after an Endo appointment mid morning are a nuisance. Can you go back to the hospital first thing and get them done at around 9am another day?

[Delgor]

Yes some doctors do question the validity of home tests but since it was MMH I would have thought this would have been acceptable. More to the point is that if you had taken your thyroid meds or eaten, your results will be falsely high and they may then try to reduce your medication especially as so many are still going by the TSH level. As for not accepting results of a private ultrasound - I can only say that this is ridiculous and no wonder the NHS is wasting money!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I hope you pointed out Monitor My Health is NHS lab at Exeter hospital

[katep82]

Thank you for your replies.

I mentioned it was an NHS lab but she still wasn't convinced... I'll wait and see what the results are and act accordingly. I'm still subclinical - just - and symptoms have eased of late so trying to remain calm 😅

[Regenallotment]

my GP was skeptical initially but after a few rounds of 8 weeks and testing she then asked me to explain how it all worked and why I was willing to pay for the service. She was understanding and if I use MMH she adds the results to my NHS records. She won’t for Medichecks, but she has accepted them when asking for a trial increase. She is however baffled by my obsession with my T3 % through range and relationship to T4. However she is equally delighted I am seeing improvements in my symptoms so that’s good 🌱🦋🌱

[1tuppence in reply to Regenallotment]

Sounds as if you're doing a great job in educating Well done.

[Batty1]

Everyone has experienced this idiotic logic the doctors have with blood results you paid for from a local accredited lab … it make zero sense why it matters who paid for them as long as its accredited lab that does them .

[tattybogle]

The NHS are trying to ' have their cake and eat it too'.

If they really don't believe that postal/ fingerprick tests have any validity, they shouldn't be cashing in by selling them.

i can see that there are genuine 'issues' to consider that would rule out making a firm diagnosis/ starting treatment based only on a postal test (even from an accredited/ NHS lab) ... eg contamination of contents at the source from your kitchen , adverse temperature conditions/ delays it the postal journey .. and the biggie.. they have no proof that the blood actually came from the patient who sent it in . they could have tried to fiddle it and sent their grannies blood instead .

But still .... if it's an NHS service , then out of range blood results that indicate further investigation/ treatment may be required should at least trigger a blood draw at the patients surgery to seek confirmation of the original NHS fingerprick result .