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Original poster

No routine blood tests for the foreseeable future

77 replies

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 27/08/2021 10:49

I take Lithium, and need blood tests every three months to check for toxicity from it.

My last blood test was eight months ago, and I only got it when the pharmacist contacted the surgery, as I couldn't talk to a GP due to the pandemic and the receptionist refused to book without GP's approval.

I phoned today as I am well, well overdue. I've been told that all blood tests are suspended except for serious issues, including all routine tests, such as monitoring. Lithium toxicity comes under monitoring and as such is not required.

I've been told I probably won't get one until at least October, but probably significantly longer, as they don't know when they will start again and then they will prioritise others first.

Googling tells me there is a shortage of blood bottles and that is hampered by border controls etc. Even hospitals have been told not to do routine bloods.

I can't help but think how catastrophic this is going to be.

OP posts:
Haywirecity · 28/08/2021 22:17

Or that it's a possibility that you might have something that could kill you etc ; or to check that your medicine isn't killing you, etc.
Well, that's something I guess! At least it looks like it's on the way to being solved! I'm going to change my username to Pollyanna!! 😄

Marcee · 28/08/2021 22:49

I think its definitely brexit related. They're blaming border controls and a lack of lorry drivers.

And I havent seen any supply shortages in any other European country being reported, or anywhere else.

ExtremelyDisorganised · 28/08/2021 22:55

DH wasn't able to have his routine HBA1C this week.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone · 28/08/2021 23:10

DH is on a drugs trial for his cancer and has 9 tubes taken every week! No-one at the hospital has said a word!

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 28/08/2021 23:13

@LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone

DH is on a drugs trial for his cancer and has 9 tubes taken every week! No-one at the hospital has said a word!
He's got cancer. He's the person we're trying to save the tubes for. What would be the point of telling him?
Westchesterarms · 28/08/2021 23:22

The American FDA took the same measures in June that the NHS is taking now. I don't know if they're fully sorted there now or not. But it's wider than just the UK and Brexit.

ManifestDestinee · 29/08/2021 11:05

So although "UK border challenges" are mentioned, that's not really the big problem. So not really Brexit related

And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you.....

hashbrownsandwich · 29/08/2021 13:03

@LookToTreblesGoingTreblesGone

DH is on a drugs trial for his cancer and has 9 tubes taken every week! No-one at the hospital has said a word!

He will be a priority so don't panic.

hashbrownsandwich · 29/08/2021 13:04

The official guidance currently says it's being halted until 17th September. So don't panic yet people, it's not indefinite.

newnortherner111 · 29/08/2021 13:20

My blood donor session next week has been cancelled, and why no specific reason has been given, my guess is that is why.

Haywirecity · 29/08/2021 14:06

@ManifestDestinee

So although "UK border challenges" are mentioned, that's not really the big problem. So not really Brexit related

And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you.....

Actually, the story of London Bridge being bought thinking that it was Tower Bridge is a fallacy. But it's a good story that people choose to believe rather than the truth. A bit like you thinking everything is about Brexit...
SexTrainGlue · 29/08/2021 14:11

@ManifestDestinee

So although "UK border challenges" are mentioned, that's not really the big problem. So not really Brexit related

And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you.....

As FDA issued a warning of shortages on US back in June, here, have a bridge!

www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/sodium-citrate-blood-specimen-collection-tube-conservation-strategies-letter-health-care-and

BippityBoppity87 · 29/08/2021 14:31

That doesn't sound right at all. I'm also on lithium and the first I've heard of this. Been on it since 2019, and without fail, have had a blood test every 3 months. Sometimes sooner if something has popped up in the blood test and they need to double check something

I didn't think pharmacist were even allowed to dispense lithium if your blood tests weren't up to date? Is that not dangerous? I thought it was something that had to be monitored closely for toxicity or you can become very poorly

Badbadbunny · 29/08/2021 14:39

@ExtremelyDisorganised

DH wasn't able to have his routine HBA1C this week.
It's over 2 years since I've had my routine HBA1C. Our GP surgery simply aren't doing "routine" appointments for anything at all. Funny they still try to do the 6 monthly diabetic check by phone - obviously that's what triggers their cash. Last time they phoned, I refused to engage with them as there was nothing new to say - I told them the "reviews" are pointless without the HBA1C - funny that she suddenly found an appointment for the blood test when I said that, but that appointment looks now set to be cancelled due to the lack of the tubes as it was early September! No doubt she'll try to do the review by phone again to qualify for the funding!
Haywirecity · 29/08/2021 15:05

@ManifestDestinee
The FDA said....Increased demand tied to COVID-19, plus supply chain difficulties, led to the blood collection device shortage, the US agency says

Supply chain difficulties apply all over the world not just to Brexit.

Haywirecity · 29/08/2021 15:09

@BippityBoppity87

I posted earlier that there are exemptions to the suspension of blood tests.

"Bloods that are extremely overdue and/or essential for safe prescribing of medication or monitoring of condition"

I guess that would apply to you and your lithium.

housemdwaswrong · 29/08/2021 15:17

I have monitoring for immunosupressants etc. I've not heard anything yet, but I may be lucky as I had my last check at the start of August so November would be the next one but no generalised text from our GP in Wales. I was surprised though that my rheumatologist who I saw last week gave me an injection etc, but didn't send for bloods which is highly unusual. It is beginning to bite here I think.

I'll trust my GP to make the call. My bloods are usually relatively stable so I wouldn't be too alarmed. I am a little hacked off though as I suspect I need an increase in dose which I won't be able to have without fortnightly tests so that won't happen. To keep it in perspective though it means I'm in more pain than I should be, but I'm still not fighting cancer or facing any life or death situation. So painful and annoying but I'm grateful it's just that in these circumstances.

lannistunut · 29/08/2021 15:23

This is really a very worrying situation, it rather feels like Britain is falling apart at the seams.

Spudina · 29/08/2021 15:31

@MyGrassIsBrowner glucose bottles are grey. It’s the purple and yellow ones that are in short supply.
We are limiting blood tests at our hospital, although as PP above had said, I work in haematology which is being prioritised.
It’s a crap situation.

Badbadbunny · 29/08/2021 15:46

@lannistunut

This is really a very worrying situation, it rather feels like Britain is falling apart at the seams.
As mentioned by others, this isn't a UK only problem! Countries all over the World are being affected by supply chain problems, not just for medical equipment, but also for lots of other raw materials etc.
lannistunut · 29/08/2021 15:50

@Badbadbunny I'm just saying Britain feels pretty shaky at the moment, I'm not that bothered for an international comparison of shitness!

If you can;t get blood tests, that is not ideal, really.

Shadedog · 29/08/2021 15:54

I work in a DGH and we have been told urgent bloods only but I haven’t seen the definition of urgent. Matrons have been going around outpatient departments rooting out any spare bottles from the back of cupboards and down the side of sofas.

Anonaymoose · 29/08/2021 16:06

I'd only read about this on here and find it shocking. I work in vet medicine and we have no such issues with lab supplies and are running routine and monitoring bloods on animals as usual! Nor did we have any issues with ppe supplies. We don't use vaccutainers though, traditional needle and syringe with separate blood tubes.
It really never ceases to amaze me how pets get better medical care than humans in the UK. I know it's private medicine so not comparable to NHS but there's something very wrong when a dog can get cancer diagnoses and start treatment in a matter of days when I have had friends/family wait months on a diagnosis.

Haywirecity · 29/08/2021 18:24

"There's something very wrong when a dog can get cancer diagnoses and start treatment in a matter of days when I have had friends/family wait months on a diagnosis."

I agree in delays about cancer diagnosis. It's awful. But those delays,aren't to do with blood tubes. If there's even a possibility of cancer, blood tests can be done.

It is a totally crap and worrying situation but it's important that people realise that essential tests will still be going ahead.

BlossomOnTrees · 29/08/2021 19:07

DP has RA and has to have 2 monthly blood tests as he is on a immunosuppressive. Hope his is not disturbed.

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