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Original poster

To wish my GP practice had told me about this upward trend earlier?

285 replies

polarband · 01/08/2025 14:45

I have used a blood pressure medication to treat migraines for several years now. As a result I need to go for blood tests and a BP check every 6 months as my BP tends to be low on this medication. The blood tests are mainly to check my kidneys but they do other checks as well, after each test I just call and they tell me everything's fine and I go again in another 6 months.

This time after my check I got called back in to speak to the doctor and was told I have high cholesterol and prediabetes. I asked him what could have caused the problem so suddenly and he said it hadn't been sudden and that if he looked at my blood test results over the past 6 years he could see that my cholesterol and blood glucose levels had been creeping up but its only now just crossed over into clinical diagnosis. I am fit, a healthy weight, a non smoking, non drinking, active woman with ideal blood pressure who eats a healthy whole food diet so when I was told my results were normal I thought that meant I was healthy not that things were getting worse.

I'm not mad that it's happened because these things do happen of course, I'm 50 now and there is type 2 diabetes in my family but I just wish they had told me earlier when this upward trend was noticed and I could have made some changes to prevent getting to this level. My GP just said they don't treat at anything below clinical diagnosis level and anything below that is in the healthy range and therefore normal.

Is it so unreasonable to think that they should flag up something like this to patients?

OP posts:
rosiejaune · 01/08/2025 20:30

Sundaybananas · 01/08/2025 20:17

So yes, you genuinely do think we are all just a bit thick 😂. Fair enough!

(And that link is to 13 year old documentation for an appointment booking system.)

Show quote history

No, I think if someone says X isn't available, then there's nothing wrong with asking if Y is. I don't personally know anyone else here who used the web version of the access (which there are various providers for, including now via the NHS website as well); they didn't publicise it very well, so there has been a lot more take-up since the app was released.

You can do everything via that system (if the GP surgery has all the features turned on), not just book appointments. It's the same system used in England.

Ladydish · 01/08/2025 20:29

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 01/08/2025 20:02

We do not have this in Scotland.

Show quote history

Yes we do. There isn't a system for it but you can just ask for a print out- I get it every time.

TroysMammy · 01/08/2025 20:29

BluntPlumHam · 01/08/2025 19:53

Yes, lots of medics in the family so I get them to check them and it’s well worth doing so.

Show quote history

What about those who don't have medics in the family? For example I don't but I wouldn't bother them if I did, everyone deserves to be off duty.

taxidriver · 01/08/2025 20:26

i was given an appointment with the pharmacist as i have blood pressure medicine, blood tests arranged, cholesterol needs sorting.
my practice is pretty good i think

rosiejaune · 01/08/2025 20:21

AppropriateAdult · 01/08/2025 15:49

I can understand your frustration, OP, but as a GP myself I can say hand on heart there just isn’t time in the day to review every patient’s normal-range blood results and compare them with previous tests. It would be a massive increase in workload, which is already unsustainable in most practices.

I’m in ROI where GP services are somewhat less strained than in the UK; I still go into work for several (unpaid) hours every weekend just to keep on top of paperwork. There is zero capacity for extra workload in the current system.

I don't think reviewing every result is the only way of dealing with it.

a) Patients could be given the results by default (in this case they refused to even when the OP asked, when they have a right to the data), by whatever means (certainly digital access should be a priority if it isn't available yet).

b) The system could automatically flag if it has increased (just like it flags if it is out of range), with e.g. a number by an up arrow. So in this case, by the time it had increased X times in a row, there could be a red up arrow with an X by it. Which shows a clear pattern without you doing any extra work. And then at that point it's worth reviewing the previous results.

taxidriver · 01/08/2025 20:21

dh changed sugar in his coffee to sweeteners, is no longer pre-diabetic.

taxidriver · 01/08/2025 20:19

but we must all take responsibility for our own health,
exercise,
eat healthily

Sundaybananas · 01/08/2025 20:17

rosiejaune · 01/08/2025 20:12

I haven't read every post, but all I've seen from what I did read (quite a lot) is people saying the NHS app is not available in Scotland. But you don't need the app to access the data. So it might be worth clarifying the difference, just in case.

And it does say there is online access on this website, but maybe it needs updating (odd if they used to provide it and then took it away again though):

https://www.scimp.scot.nhs.uk/erecords/patient-access-to-records

Show quote history

So yes, you genuinely do think we are all just a bit thick 😂. Fair enough!

(And that link is to 13 year old documentation for an appointment booking system.)

Plastictreees · 01/08/2025 20:17

@rosiejaune It has been clarified, there is no patient access, app or otherwise. Unless you happen to be a patient in particular specialist services, in which case you may be set up on a patient portal to access results. But it’s not routinely available in primary care. Even that is extremely glitchy and haphazard.

taxidriver · 01/08/2025 20:13

that is really annoying op
otoh they have only just reach the clinical stage you say,
what do they suggest?

rosiejaune · 01/08/2025 20:12

Sundaybananas · 01/08/2025 19:30

8 pages now of people explaining that it doesn’t work like that in Scotland, and you think maybe we are just not looking hard enough?

Show quote history

I haven't read every post, but all I've seen from what I did read (quite a lot) is people saying the NHS app is not available in Scotland. But you don't need the app to access the data. So it might be worth clarifying the difference, just in case.

And it does say there is online access on this website, but maybe it needs updating (odd if they used to provide it and then took it away again though):

https://www.scimp.scot.nhs.uk/erecords/patient-access-to-records

Online Patient Access to Records

Primary Care Informatics - formerly known as Scottish Clinical Information Management in Practice

https://www.scimp.scot.nhs.uk/erecords/patient-access-to-records

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 01/08/2025 20:02

rosiejaune · 01/08/2025 19:27

Even if you don't have the NHS app, don't you still have underlying access to the data it would use? E.g. via Patient Access or some other online service?

But like someone else said, you need to ask for full access after it's set up.

We do not have this in Scotland.

Ladydish · 01/08/2025 19:57

polarband · 01/08/2025 17:09

@siliconcover Thank you for posting this, just goes to show how different the culture is up here and something that needs to change. I don't know about you but while complaining and making nuisance of yourself to get the results sound good and well I have no interest in creating an antagonistic relationship with my GP practice! I agree with you it is exhausting and we are trying to do the right thing!

I disagree. I'm in Scotland and whenever I have blood tests I just ask the surgery for a print out which I can pick up and read through in my own time.

I can see why you're frustrated as you obviously make sensible decisions to take care of your health and would have been proactive if you had known about rising levels. However, it is hugely unrealistic to think there is the capacity within the NHS to analyse trends of a patient who has results within the normal paramaters.

Catlover77 · 01/08/2025 19:54

Hellohelga · 01/08/2025 15:03

Tricky not having the app. In England at 50 you get a full health review with bloods, blood pressure, bmi, questionnaire re eating/drinking/smoking habits and a follow up to discuss any concerns or potential risks. But I’m not sure about Scotland. At least you know now OP and can take measures before it gets worse.

Do we? I have not had this nor any of my friends

BluntPlumHam · 01/08/2025 19:53

TroysMammy · 01/08/2025 19:35

Can I ask those of you who have print outs or information on the app about your blood results can you understand them all and what do you do with them?

Yes, lots of medics in the family so I get them to check them and it’s well worth doing so.

BluntPlumHam · 01/08/2025 19:51

polarband · 01/08/2025 14:45

I have used a blood pressure medication to treat migraines for several years now. As a result I need to go for blood tests and a BP check every 6 months as my BP tends to be low on this medication. The blood tests are mainly to check my kidneys but they do other checks as well, after each test I just call and they tell me everything's fine and I go again in another 6 months.

This time after my check I got called back in to speak to the doctor and was told I have high cholesterol and prediabetes. I asked him what could have caused the problem so suddenly and he said it hadn't been sudden and that if he looked at my blood test results over the past 6 years he could see that my cholesterol and blood glucose levels had been creeping up but its only now just crossed over into clinical diagnosis. I am fit, a healthy weight, a non smoking, non drinking, active woman with ideal blood pressure who eats a healthy whole food diet so when I was told my results were normal I thought that meant I was healthy not that things were getting worse.

I'm not mad that it's happened because these things do happen of course, I'm 50 now and there is type 2 diabetes in my family but I just wish they had told me earlier when this upward trend was noticed and I could have made some changes to prevent getting to this level. My GP just said they don't treat at anything below clinical diagnosis level and anything below that is in the healthy range and therefore normal.

Is it so unreasonable to think that they should flag up something like this to patients?

I’m really sorry this has happened and I share your frustration because I was fobbed off by my midwife re bloods saying all within normal range. I have a family relative who is a Dr and I wanted them to see the numbers. I pressed her and she finally gave me the readings and it turned out I my cholesterol was just about to cross over into the high side and my iron was one figure off being ‘low’.

Thank god for the NHS app because GPs can’t get away with saying all normal anymore so at least we can take preventative measures and top up on supplements or reduce diet accordingly.

The NHs isn’t geared towards prevention, it will only bother intervening when you are death’s door and even then you’d have to beg them.

Horserider5678 · 01/08/2025 19:50

polarband · 01/08/2025 15:41

@LBFseBrom Yes I understand that its normal for these things to get worse as we age. I already don't drink alcohol, never have I only drink tea and water. My diet is good I could add in more beans, pulses and fibre and add a supplement. No obvious issues with my diet for Blood glucose but I will get a CGM for two weeks and see what various foods I eat often are doing to my levels and perhaps alter my activity levels and increase strength training to see if that helps. I do monitor my blood pressure at home it has always been on the low side and there is a medication I use for migraine that makes that worse so I need to watch that. I am glad I have a chance to sort it out now.

You don’t need a CGM monitor you’re pre diabetic! You need to look closely at your diet even though you say it’s good and make a few little tweaks! Being pre diabetic is reversible! Personally I think you’re being a bit over dramatic!

MigGril · 01/08/2025 19:47

polarband · 01/08/2025 14:51

@RosesAndHellebores I don't believe that is available in my area and in the past when I ask for my exact results I've been fobbed off and told I don't need to know because its all normal.

Everyone has a right to see there medical notes. I always get a copy of blood results even if they say they are normal. It's easier now with the app but I used to go into the GP'S and get a print off before.

GentleSheep · 01/08/2025 19:43

Eyelashesoffire · 01/08/2025 15:12

On my NHS app all my results just say 'normal' or 'abnormal', there's no detail to spot any changes that might point to any problems.

There's also the issue of me, not a medical professional, analysing results. I can Google and have an idea, especially for familiar problems (for me that's low ferritin) but for unfamiliar issues I wouldn't know.

My thyroid results are coming back abnormal in some areas but they're not taking any action. I have no idea if this is ok or not. I wouldn't know what I'm looking at if I did get the detailed results.

You put trust in the GP but as someone said up thread, it seems like a box ticking exercise now. There's no holistic assessment, I haven't spoken to a GP in years.

There are many of us on this forum and other forums who are experienced with thyroid results so you could always make a thread and we'd be happy to take a look.

Loulabelle1234 · 01/08/2025 19:40

Read the great cholesterol con book, it will really open your eyes to the bullishit we are told. Sorry no advice regarding the pre diabetes except to watch your sugar and carbs intake.

lljkk · 01/08/2025 19:36

things were getting worse.

I can't help but think that the next test might put you back in the healthy zone, you sound that borderline.

Will you ask for statins if the other lifestyle steps you're planning don't improve your cholesterol? If not, why not?

TroysMammy · 01/08/2025 19:35

Can I ask those of you who have print outs or information on the app about your blood results can you understand them all and what do you do with them?

TroysMammy · 01/08/2025 19:31

It is pre diabetes so you should be advised what to do to prevent diabetes. Having a blood result print out isn't going to help you but a clinician could.

Sundaybananas · 01/08/2025 19:30

rosiejaune · 01/08/2025 19:27

Even if you don't have the NHS app, don't you still have underlying access to the data it would use? E.g. via Patient Access or some other online service?

But like someone else said, you need to ask for full access after it's set up.

8 pages now of people explaining that it doesn’t work like that in Scotland, and you think maybe we are just not looking hard enough?

Sundaybananas · 01/08/2025 19:28

I completely get it OP. I am in Scotland and it’s so frustrating.

I have a few conditions that are supposed to be monitored. I phone for results and am told “Dr says it’s normal”. I am not allowed a print out of results or more detail as to the actual numbers.

Several times now I have gotten quite sick, only to then find out from the GP that they tested for the wrong thing, forgot a test, didn’t spot a trend that they were supposed to monitor for.

Most recently I was told I don’t have one of the conditions that I was being monitored for. Not cured, just not appearing on my record any more. Initial discussion with the practice indicates that it’s just been dropped from testing and that the initial diagnosis is “probably in the records somewhere”.

None of it the fault of staff, but the systems and processes are beyond crap.

I pay hundreds for private testing now so that I can monitor the results myself.