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Original poster

To wonder why the NHS has such a high threshold for blood work?

157 replies

SailAwaySandra · 28/08/2024 07:11

In a nutshell, my folate levels are actually low after all. But they’re NHS borderline.

For about 6 months now, I’ve felt like utter death. Really stanage symptoms, fatigue and joint pain making me feel like walking through treacle.

It turns out my folate levels are borderline and actually low. And the ideal is that they’re much better than they are!

I’ve had 3 blood tests via the NHS, each time going to the GP very worried as I am only 26 and physically felt like my body was aging! Sometimes I had to flinch to move a leg, for example, if I had to sit for a minute or so and get up again

GPs kept saying all was normal. Nothing to worry about.

Paid for a blood test and told within 72 hours that my folate levels are too low. And to take folic acid (I’ve already put loads of it in my diet)

Why or why did no GP say ‘it’s within normal range but your folate is in the low side. You might want to consider buying some folic acid and introducing more of it into the diet’?

OP posts:
Cheesecakecookie · 28/08/2024 07:24

I think a lot of them actually believe the NHS reference ranges to be correct.

Spidey66 · 28/08/2024 07:20

I'm with @Cantfindanavailablename I struggled to get thyroxine. My TSH was high for ages but until my T4 finally went into the NHS acceptable level (low) I was refused it, even though research states it should be given when the TSH is raised as its a clear indicator that your thyroid is struggling.

Thyroxine is very cheap....my theory is that once you're on thyroxine you qualify for free prescriptions and the NHS need the prescription fees, so keep you off it as long as possible.

CaputDraconis · 28/08/2024 07:17

They do it with everything. If it fits "normal" they don't care. Despite the other symptoms you might be experiencing alongside.

In an ideal world they would do exactly as you said. Everything is but, this is on the lower side of normal and with your symptoms you may benefit from xyz. I guess a lot of people would want them to prescribe something and want follow ups etc which is more time/cost.

Bluemincat · 28/08/2024 07:16

Because they think it saves money. It means only the very serious cases need to be treated.

Very short sighted though as people with symptoms such as yours then (understandably) make multiple appointments and have various tests to try to figure out what is wrong with them, which probably costs more than just treating you in the first place.

SensibleSigma · 28/08/2024 07:16

I wish we were aiming for optimal health rather than minimal.

I have several conditions that overlap and would love to get stuff tweaked so my thyroxine, hrt, various vitamins and amitriptyline were working together.

Cantfindanavailablename · 28/08/2024 07:13

I've had this with my thyroid. I was on the border of the lower bound. Paid to see a doctor and he said clinically I fit the case for diagnosis. My life is changed now I'm being medicated correctly. Id been going to NHS GPs for years trying to get it resolved

Orangesandlemons77 · 28/08/2024 07:13

They can be like it with ferritin too.