Can You Refuse Certain Blood Tests

[Sparklingsunshine]

I had a consult with a Livi doctor last week for non thyroid related issue, he wanted me to have a load of bloods done. I've checked online and see what he's ordered. It includes B12, which is pointless as I'm on jabs and have been for years, so B12 always very high. ( the lab always moan and point this out) TFT and blood lipids. The others are ferritin, FBC, electrolytes, kidney function, bone profile. The usual non specific stuff.

I was in A& E at the end of February for an asthma flare and they did loads of blood then, including thyroid and cholesterol. I know my cholesterol is high but wont take statins so frankly they are wasting my time and theirs, I dont want thyroid tested again as I self source T3 and and am concerned they'll freak out about suppressed TSH. Plus only 3 months since thyroid was last tested.

I've emailed my surgery requesting they remove thyroid, cholesterol and B12 tests as unnecessary but they haven't responded. I'm probably not going to have any of them done because I dont trust them not to do them anyway, even if I ask them to be crossed off.

Has anyone else ever had this? If so how did you get round it?

[humanbean]

I am not 100% sure of this but I think you can refuse to have certain tests done if you want to.

If the tests are carried out despite your refusal I think this could be classified as assault.

The problem is that if you refuse, say, a TSH test or a Free T4 test, and your doctor is the one supplying your thyroid hormones the doctor could refuse to prescribe for you in future if you refuse the tests.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to humanbean]

Yes this isnt an annual thyroid review, I understand these are required for ongoing prescriptions, its just a bunch of random blood tests he's ordered in response to the consultation last week.

I had them done at the end of Feb and my GP didn't query the thyroid ones then so guessing they passed muster. I dont see the point of keep checking the same things over and over again, seems pointless.

I particularly dont want the B12 as I'm concerned they'll use my high levels to remove my jabs and I dont want a lecture on statins lol.

[Obsdian]

Yes, you can refuse tests and treatment. They can only warn or advise you.

[grumpyold]

I agree with Obsidian in that yes, you can refuse tests ( and treatment) but I also agree with humanbean in that the surgery might "punish" you in response and become more awkward about supply of meds etc.

[helvella Administrator]

Theoretically they are receiving your permission when you hold your arm out for the phlebotomy. That is, permission for doing the tests you have agreed to.

They should not be doing any tests you do not agree to.

However, some labs do additional tests depending on initial results - a classic being FT4 and even FT3 when TSH is well out of range. It would be at least difficult to avoid that sort of testing cascade as at least some are programmed into automatic analysers.

And there can be consequences of refusal. It will always be difficult if a GP is expected to prescribe, say, levothyroxine, and the person doesn't let them check their thyroid hormone level(s). I can understand why a GP would reach a point of refusing repeat prescriptions. But I'd hope this can be resolved by discussion well before it reaches that point.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to helvella]

As I said if it was bloods for the usual review or due to Levo dose change then obviously I would play ball, but this is just a series of baseline bloods he's plucked out of thin air. And the Lab repeatedly comments on the fact there's no need for B12 tests whilst on jabs. I'm just going to decline the lot. The issue I enquired about has rectified itself anyway.