Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

1 2

AIBU?

To want a bloody blood test

29 replies

HoppinMad · 30/04/2013 22:59

Ok not literally a 'bloody' BT (obviously) but ykwim.

I am so annoyed with my GP. I rang on Monday to ask if I could have a BT testing iron, vit D, vit B and whatever else relevant as I just dont feel right recently. My bones ache, when I wake up in the morning and my feet touch the floor they ache pretty badly especially when I walk. I get tired picking up very clingy teething dc2. I suffered with severely low levels of vit.D in my first pregnancy and low iron on and off since adolescence. I feel tired all the time, no motivation, like in a fog.

Anyway so back to Monday. The receptionist on phone had a word with GP and he okay'd it and she told me to pick up the form tomorrow (as in today) and take it to the phlebotomy clinic at the hosp. Went to pick it up today, and surprise surprise no sign of form. Receptionist asks GP again and after checking my records he changes his mind and refuses, saying I dont need it.

I last had a routine BT during pregnancy with dc2, born 7 months ago. Surely thats quite a long time ago now, and since then my body's gone through hell labour, breast feeding, sleep deprivation, skipping meals/eating anything quick while busy with dc. I was nearly in tears when she told me. I'm not sure why, I just feel so shit and my GP doesn't give a shit!

Aibu to have a blood test if I feel I need one. Or is my GP right in saying I should be fine as I was ok during second pregnancy? (Regularly took pregnacare then though). I feel he thinks i'm a hypochondriac.

OP posts:

Report

EuroShaggleton · 30/04/2013 23:03

Try spatone. It's fairly cheap and helped me enormously when I felt pretty much how you describe.

But yes, if you are feeling unwell, you are not unreasonable to want your GP to investigate. (Perhaps a little unreasonable to be demanding a specific list of blood tests.)

Sirzy · 30/04/2013 23:05

Surely a GP would want to see someone and talk through symptoms rather than just letting a patient demand what they wanted?

Cherriesarelovely · 30/04/2013 23:06

I feel for you greatly Hopping. I am 15 months into something a bit like this and despite reccomendations from a specialist my GP told me she was unwilling to order the blood tests he had advised because in HER opinion they were not necessary. It was the last straw for me and I left the practice. I know exactly what you mean. It is bad enough feeling like crap but to be made to feel as if you are imagining it/making it up is extremely upsetting and frustrating. I hope you get the test you need somehow and start to feel better soon.

DoJo · 30/04/2013 23:06

Surely you'd be better of making an appointment with your GP to discuss the problems you're having than insisting on blood tests through self-diagnosis? Have they suggested that?

LessMissAbs · 30/04/2013 23:06

My GP seems to positively want to give me as many blood tests as normal, on the slightest symptom (and I have nothing wrong with me), so YANBU. I can't understand it. Is your GP practice too full or something? You are describing symptoms of tiredness, I would have thought a test for underactive thyroid would have been par for the course, as well as for aneamia. Can you be more insistent?

hhhhhhh · 30/04/2013 23:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YoniOrNotYoni · 30/04/2013 23:10

Does seem a bit odd to call and ask for blood test. Isn't it normal to book appointment, discuss symptoms and then, if appropriate, have tests?

HoppinMad · 30/04/2013 23:10

Thanks euro. Will pay pharmacy a visit tomorrow.

The receptionist on phone asked me what I wanted testing, so I told her. I hope I didn't sound demanding!

My vitamin D in first pregnancy was the lowest the midwife had ever come across, and I felt truly horrendous then. Every morning felt like I'd done few rounds with Tyson in the night. Well now I'm starting to feel a little like that. Hence my desire to be tested.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 30/04/2013 23:12

Cherries - if a specialist wanted you to have certain tests then they should have arranged it not expected your Gp too

HoppinMad · 30/04/2013 23:13

Shirley and dejo - GP can be very dismissive, I know he would only leave me feeling guilty for wasting his time. I actually thought I was doing him a favour.

OP posts:

milkysmum · 30/04/2013 23:15

Make an appointment and discuss this face to face so he/ she can assess your symptoms and if indicated request the relevant testing, A GP cannot/ should not order blood testing to every patient who rings up without a consultation

HoppinMad · 30/04/2013 23:17

Lessmiss- the practice is quite busy. I'm not sure why he is reluctant to have me tested, does it cost them alot? No idea.

I think I may just make an appointment.

OP posts:

CloudsAndTrees · 30/04/2013 23:20

I agree you need to go and see the GP and tell them the symptoms.

You might have a reasonably good idea of what is wrong with you, but GPs can't just hand out blood tests for anyone who phones up and asks for one. It is their job to decide how to diagnose you.

If you do have low VitD/B and iron levels, wouldn't they just give you a supplement that you could buy yourself anyway? Or am I being completely ignorant?

Cherriesarelovely · 30/04/2013 23:23

Maybe that was why she was snotty about it then! In any case, it was only one thing amongst many that she said which upset me and made a very stressful time even more stressful. I now have a different GP and the attitude is completely different. Good luck OP.

HoppinMad · 30/04/2013 23:25

Cloud, I have seen vit D supplements in places like Holland n Barretts but its a very low dose compared to what GPs can prescribe.

My DH has had similar aches and pains, his tests came back with low vit D (taking tablets now) and vit B (weekly injections with nurse).

OP posts:

HoppinMad · 30/04/2013 23:28

Thanks cherries.

I think I try and avoid seeing GP as he is so.bloody dismissive and patronising sometimes, makes me feel guilty for 'wasting his time'.

Will make an app, if I am not happy I might just find a new GP.

OP posts:

Cherriesarelovely · 30/04/2013 23:34

I could write about this all night hoppin but I wont hijack your thread! That's not to say that some Drs aren't absolutely fantastic but if you feel dreadful and you have one like that it is so horrible. I am developing a thicker skin though!

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 30/04/2013 23:44

You can't just order a blood test over the phone. Make an appointment and discuss your problem with the GP so they can assess you. If you don't get on with your GP then see a different one.

I have low vitamin D levels post pregnancy and take supplements from H&B.

HoppinMad · 30/04/2013 23:49

I think developing thicker skin is key! Ironically I always believed you should be able to 'bare your soul' to your GP. I find it hard to talk to mine. I think partly the reason for my 'unreasonable request' was wanting to avoid seeing him

I had an absolutely superb GP in my hometown. Then moved to DHs and registered with his GP. As he put it at the time 'he is a family friend and we ought to respect that by all of us being registered with him' or some nonsense

OP posts:

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 30/04/2013 23:53

You don't have to see the GP you're registered with. You can see anyone.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 30/04/2013 23:53

*at that practice, I mean.

HoppinMad · 30/04/2013 23:55

There are only two GPs. The other is always fully booked weeks in advance. i can kinda see why

OP posts:

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

McNewPants2013 · 30/04/2013 23:56

Change your GP

Cherriesarelovely · 30/04/2013 23:56

I did wonder if that was why you hadn't gone to see him! I started doing the same but in the end because I am having health problems at the moment I decided it couldn't go on. I needed to have a Dr I wasn't nervous of talking to. It's a shame really because we had been at the practice for 20 years but our old GP left a year ago, she was fantastic. Similar to your situation. I actually care for my MIL who has dementia and this particular Dr is fantastic with her so we kept MIL at that practice and moved the rest of us! So she's not all bad I suppose!

WafflyVersatile · 30/04/2013 23:58

That's quite telling!

Flip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.