2 birds 1 stone, NHS blood draw.

[Ebx_design]

Hi All,

Has anyone taken a private test blood vial to an NHS appt, and asked the nurse to fill it while they're drawing for routine NHS bloods too?

In this case I'm due to have nhs thyroid panel soon, but also wanting to collect a vial for a further private test from blue horizons and save the extra expense and trip.

I can't see an issue with this, as it's my blood and with consent, but wondered if anyone has had experience with this? Like if the nurse didn't want to consent for example?

Cheers,

Ebx

[HealthStarDust]

This sounds very smart. Please report how you get on as I’d lie to try that!

[Ebx_design in reply to HealthStarDust]

Of course, if I go for it will let you know.

[Sparklingsunshine]

I did, felt a bit cheeky but thought nothing ventured nothing gained. The phlebotomist asked her supervisor who then very kindly proceeded to help fill the little vial, sealed it and put in the packaging for me. I was then able to post it straight away on my way home. This was at my local hospital blood taking unit.

[Ebx_design in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Fab!!

[HealthStarDust in reply to Ebx_design]

I have a feeling the hospital blood draw folks may be more likely to do it that GPs who are set to charge for everything at a moments notice.

And super fab Sparklingsunshine

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Ebx_design]

I must add I was having some blood taken already for an NHS test. I didn't walk in off the street asking for a blood sample haha.

[HealthStarDust in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I assumed. It’s how I think I would do it.

[Hedgeree]

Hi Ebx_design,

I'd certainly try.

Unfortunately I've not had any luck as I've asked before at my local hospital phlebotomy dept but was refused.

They just said they wouldn't draw blood for a private test. But I will try again next time I go for my hospital blood tests. I think some have had success when they offered to pay.

Hope you succeed!

[DippyDame]

A few years ago a GP did this for me but they may have tightened regulations now

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I tried my little local hospital that has a phlebotomy department recently when I had a private blood test to do and 2 vials to fill. Someone did tell me that they would do it for a fee but it turns out they wouldn't. Obviously I didn't have an NHS test to at the same time though or maybe I might have found a kind phlebotomist.

So I went home and next day followed the instructions for the finger prick test. Drank lots of water, had a bath and did some light exercise. Then I shocked myself there was so much blood poured out of my finger, made a horrible mess with blood everywhere and filled the 2 vials very easily. 😅 I am so stupidly proud of myself. 👑✅😂

[Hedgeree in reply to Jaydee1507]

Well done Jaydee! 👍🏻😊 🕺🤸🏻‍♂️

I know that euphoric feeling! Though as I've had many more negative than positive experiences I now pay to get a venous drawer done by the pharmacist at a nearby chemist.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Hedgeree]

Have you done the steps I mentioned every time? I mean this is really only my first success with it so not much to go on and no idea if I can repeat that another time.

My first experience of a finger prick test was a few years back when I first returned to this group and I was in a real mess. pretty sure I didnt do the warm up things to get the blood flowing and of course I failed miserably to get enough blood. Have been paying for a blood draw ever since although I now have a new local blood test company not far from me that will do it for free.

Anyway, for preference I would go get the free blood draw but at a pinch now I would do finger prick. My finger tip is still sore this morning!

[Hedgeree in reply to Jaydee1507]

Yes I do all the steps, warming up, being hydrated etc but it's the actual stabbing myself part that I struggle with 🥴 Too traumatic and it has really hurt also bruised fingers for 3 or 4 days afterwards and totally worn myself out.

Much relief to be getting blood drawn instead though I'm paying for it but much less stressful.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

It depends on the policy at your surgery (or hospital if that's where you're going). My surgery wont take blood for private tests, and when I enquired at the hospital they will only do it if requested by a GP at the surgery. So in my case it's impossible to get it done.

[Bertwills]

I had more luck with my GPs. I pay them £10 a time so it looks as if it’s possible. I just asked at reception. So it’s worth trying.

[Ebx_design]

UPDATE as promised!!!

It's been two weeks since my original post above and and this morning I had my nhs blood draw. I brought in the two blue horizons vials with me and asked if the nurse would kindly fill them after taking the NHS samples.

She was really kind, and even though the way to fill the vials is different to the equipment she had, she made it work and we did it. Tbf, I explained I am pretty sick, and have so much going on that I just need to take this into my own hands now. She was really understanding and went out of her way to help.

My appointment should have been just 10mins, but it was more like 20. The blood stopped coming at the end of 4 vials, but she persisted and we got there.

I've been quite anxious about this, so now that it's done and the samples are in the post it's a huge weight off my mind. I just hope thy get there safely, and will await the results in due course.

One thing I that I WILL be interested to see, is the comparison between private and nhs results for the same tests (the private test had many more markers including RT3 - and it's those I'm interested in at this point) but others inc. thyroid function feature in both. So... If my TSH, T4 and T3 are different between the two sets of results ie. Nhs vs private (accommodating for ranges) then that will be a bit of an eye opener.... We shall see.

Best,

Ebx