advice on where to get blood results!

[hythyfo]

had an endo appointment a few weeks ago through a referral from my gp. The endo at the health centre sent me up to the hospital to get a blood test for T3 T4 and something else. Where would I get the results for these? I rang the health centre who said the endo doesn’t work direct for them so I’m not a patient with the health centre. Rang the number they gave me for the endo (I think anyway) and it goes to voicemail. Unsure of who to ring at the hospital and not sure if I should ring my gp as I can’t see the results on my NHS app?

Genuinely at such a loss. The endo I spoke to was horrific, saying how I was ‘destined to be skinny’ and that ‘you know how long Covid has an effect on young people’s minds’ (even tho I’ve never tested positive for Covid and wasn’t feeling like this in Covid lol) I seriously don’t know how the endo has got that far in their career with the things they said. So condescending and back handed. Saying how I’d ’gained 1kg’ even though I had heavy shoes on and was weighed straight after a high carb lunch.

Any help is appreciated

[greygoose]

They get as far as they do because the people that promote them are not the people they're treating. And there's no way - as far as I know - that patients can give feed-back. Two entirely different worlds, and never the two shall meet!

Sorry, can't help you with your question.

[Agitator23 in reply to greygoose]

I found out that a neurologist who dismissed me as 'psychosomatic' had terrible reviews on RateMDs website. He was rude and arrogant - even implying that my health issues were due to 'something that happened in your childhood'.

I checked just now and he's doing the exact same thing, especially to women. Loads of negative and accurate reviews. I don't think it's a very good website and mainly American but patients in the UK are using it.

I just wish I'd found it before going to this appalling male doctor. I now have somatisation (another misdiagnosis on the way to a hypothyroid diagnosis) on my record...

It would be good if there were a UK-based platform for reviews. Maybe there is?

[greygoose in reply to Agitator23]

I've never heard of one. But, in any case, who reads these reviews apart from other patients? Is it really likely that a bad patient review will affect a bad doctors career prospects? I somehow doubt it.

[Agitator23 in reply to greygoose]

Absolutely. This neurologist has women reviewers saying he's a danger to women! I made a complaint and attended a formal review (he wasn't present). All of this has obviously made no difference whatsoever to his attitude or his career... 😡

[greygoose in reply to Agitator23]

disgusting!

[DJR1 in reply to greygoose]

careopinion.org.uk/

This is an active feedback site which is read by NHS organisations and responses from care professionals are strongly encouraged. It’s a bit hit and miss.

[greygoose in reply to DJR1]

hmmm interesting, thank you

[hythyfo in reply to DJR1]

I’m going to go and put something on because I’ve never been spoken to so poorly. Genuinely so disappointed in how the endo treated me

[DJR1 in reply to hythyfo]

It is effective to warn others of bad experiences. Patients can search specific departments at named hospitals and check for comments about the care offered. Thank you for alerting others.

[hythyfo in reply to greygoose]

horrific honestly! Surely she wouldn’t tell a bigger person they’re ’destined’ to be fat. It was like she couldn’t believe I was there because I couldn’t put weight on

[greygoose in reply to hythyfo]

sounds like she probably would! no empathy.

[hythyfo in reply to greygoose]

I’ve realised she’s sent a letter over to my gp with my results on and the language is just so snarky🥲

[greygoose in reply to hythyfo]

They adopt that snarky tone when they have no idea what they're talking about! What conclusions did she draw? If any?

i've just replied on your post giving the results. And, no, I don't think she's got much of a clue.

[hythyfo in reply to greygoose]

On the first one she said ‘I can guarantee that her levels will come back normal’ and then on this one she has said ‘as anticipated all of her levels have come back normal. As I mentioned to her, she definitely is fine’ she tried saying in the appointment that it was all in my head. I feel like my only option now is to go private

[radd]

hythfo

Your GP should be able to log into the hospital system to see your results.

The surgery receptionist won’t be able to help you so if this were me, I would write a note to the GP and ask for your results to be put in your surgery record.

[LynetteP in reply to radd]

I have tried to get blood test results from a hospital and it can be dufficult. My GP practice comes under a different trust from the hospital so they don’t have access. I find that secretaries are usually very helpful and if you ring the main switchboard and ask for the doctors secretary they should put you through.. I finally have an endo appointment on Thursday and when I went for the blood test asked how to get the results. She told me to stop at outpatient reception and they would give me the contact details. I am not sure whether I will have to ask GP to email a request but will find out tomorrow . In the past I have had a hospital blood test followed two weeks later by a GP blood test which is a total waste of NHS money. Good lucck

[radd in reply to LynetteP]

I think you meant this for the O/P so I'll tag her hythyfo

[hythyfo in reply to radd]

Thank you! So stressful with everything being all over the place lol. Just want to see the results of the blood tests that she said will ‘for a fact come back normal because there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you’ 😢😢

[McPammy]

The referral letter from your GP must have the Endo’s contact details within it. You said you phoned but went to voicemail. Is there an email address on the referral letter? Your results belong to you not the NHS so you will get those eventually. Your GP can make contact with the Endo for you to get your results. In any case I’d change your Endo for sure after what he has did to you. I’m assuming this Endo works for the NHS? You could always get your bloods done through a private route. Monitor My Health on line does all sorts of blood tests privately and inexpensively. Maybe try that route. There are great private only Endocrinologists in the uk. I see a private only endocrinologist who is brilliant. Message me if you’d like their details.

[hythyfo in reply to McPammy]

Ahh amazing. Will go look over the letter now. Yeah she was like for my area, it was worse because I got my hopes up when she was a woman and then ended up being worse than any male doctor I’ve seen! Currently looking at the private route. Is it costly? I’m feeling like this will be the option I have to take as it’s been a battle the entire way so far

[Popeye44]

Each hospital should have a PALS department (Patient Advice and Liaison Service). Call them and they can find your results for you. The Endo should have responded to your GP and copied a letter to you. Ask if this has been done and whether you have a further appointment. Very important these days to ask who you saw. Was this person a doctor or did you see a Physician Assistant (they are not medically qualified)? If it was a PA you are quite within your rights to request an appointment with a qualified doctor.

[hythyfo in reply to Popeye44]

Thank you! It was a doctor. I got the initial letter but not heard anything else. The endo made me feel like I couldn’t ask about future appointments/where to get results because of how dismissive she was of me which is why I’m now in this predicament lol

[Otto11]

Hi is it possible to go to the clinic or hospital? You could go to Endocrinology reception who should be able to help. I’m surprised the results are not on your app mine often come back the next day. Was the endo you saw private? If so you could ring his secretary. Get the number or name from your GP’s practise. If not get your GP to access them for you especially if he sent you to Endo then he should have access to them.

[hythyfo in reply to Otto11]

Hi, the clinic it was at advised me that the endo wasn’t anything to do with them and was just hiring the room for the day for appointments, so no idea where she’s come from! The other frustrating thing is the doctor at my GP practice who referred me is no longer with them too😢 I feel at such a loss with it all

[Otto11 in reply to hythyfo]

There should still be the referral letter from your GP on file at your practice so I think that’s where you need to be asking. The practice secretary can chase it up for you.

[Catseyes235]

I get all my results online from the NHS site which I’m signed up to. It may take a while ..I.e. over a week but they’re completely available now.

[moyramm]

Hi I am in a similar position I had a bone scan done 3rd June which was arranged by the Rhumatology department of my local hospital but I am not due to see them again until November but would like to know the results of my scan before then I have rung my local hospital Rhumatology department but it just says" Please don't leave a message as there is no one here Please just ring again later" I have rung a total of 6 times but can't get to speak to anyone I have asked my GP to access the results but he says No you will have to keep ringing the Rhumatology department So like you I am at a loss to know what to do to get my results x

[hythyfo in reply to moyramm]

It’s a shame really, because if something was really wrong you wouldn’t know! Doesn’t help that no one ever takes you seriously either

[Otto11 in reply to moyramm]

Is there a Rheumatoligy secretary you could ring? You can ask for the results sent to you. If not call the hospital reception & ask them to put you through.

[DJR1]

A lot of hospitals have a patient portal. If you went to the hospital for the blood test check their website to see if you can register for an online account. Your blood test results should be available on your new account. If the hospital doesn’t have a portal, Google the consultants name and check out where she works and you may find alternative contact details. It’s very frustrating when information flow is so poor.

[helvella]

Might even be worth contacting the pathology laboratory directly - if you know where it was done.

Quite possibly they'll try to put you off but as they entered the data into the systems, they obviously have access. Try ringing and asking - someone should be able to tell you what best to do if nothing else.

And should, indeed in the end must, comply with a Subject Access Request. But it is ridiculous that you could have to do this.

[liz1952]

Oh hythyfo....I don't know how they get work sometimes. One endo was great until he must have either had a turn of some sort, or confused me with another patient as he wrote to my GP that I had admitted to having a drink problem and regularly drank 5 bottles of wine!! It would be hilarious if not so awful. The next one (first one retired, so I couldn't take that sweet little nugget any further) literally had me in tears - twice with her rudeness and cruelty. Scornful of me and thyroid issues, I took courage and asked her to walk in our shoes for a few days and she turned her back on me and said to see someone else. My daughter (hyper) entered the consultants room and before she had even sat down was asked if she wanted more children to which she said "unsure, but maybe no?" to be told Good, you never will again looking at your blood results. Two different hospitals, two different doctors. I have come fast and furious to the conclusion that endos don't like thyroid patients...so don't take anything the horrible person said to you....attempting to add guilt (impact of covid)to everything else you have to put up with...stick with us!