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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not go for these blood tests?

153 replies

Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 16:54

I went to see my doctor (this is quite rare by the way as I hate going) but I had really hurt my knee, and needed some strong painkillers as the over the counter stuff wasn't helping.

He was nice enough but insisted on weighing me even though I kept saying it was ok.

Obviously, I was obese which I already knew.

He wanted to put me on a weight management programme and insisted on sending me for blood tests which are between 8 and 11 Monday to Friday.

AIBU to not go? I get that they have to follow guidelines and I don't mind that but it's a big inconvenience out of my day.

OP posts:
Xmasbaby11 · 05/05/2016 16:57

What are the blood tests for? To test your thyroid? I'm not sure why you wouldn't go. They don't send you for tests unless there's a reason.

Pearlman · 05/05/2016 17:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreenTomatoJam · 05/05/2016 17:03

What are they for?

Do you have any other issues? Is it an appointment? Ring and cancel if so..

sonlypuppyfat · 05/05/2016 17:05

There seems to be a lot of doctors forcing people to do things against their wishes today

TattyCat · 05/05/2016 17:10
  • insisted on weighing me even though I kept saying it was ok. Obviously, I was obese which I already knew.

Perhaps you do know better than the Dr, but this isn't OK, is it? If you know better than the Dr, then crack on and sort it out; otherwise take their advice.

If you're overweight then please accept you will have medical issues, ongoing.

And yes, your weight CAN affect your knees, and other joints because they can be overloaded.

cornwallandson · 05/05/2016 17:10

You are an adult. Your health is your responsibility and it is your choice whether or not to follow the doctor's advice.

The doctor is following guidelines but ultimately it is for your benefit and not his.

CwtchesAndCuddles · 05/05/2016 17:11

Carrying excess weight will exacerbate your knee problem so the GP is correct in wanting to address the issue. If you haven't been to the GP for some time then routine bloods are a good idea to screen for any underlying health issues, thyroid, anaemia, high cholesterol, high blood sugar etc

You don't have to have them done but the GP wouldn't suggest it without a reason in mind, isn't your health worth a bit of inconvenience?

TattyCat · 05/05/2016 17:12

Op, do you work? Your company may have a health scheme in place?

TheDuchessOfArbroathsHat · 05/05/2016 17:12

Is he maybe checking for diabetes or other issues like thyroid? Is there any chance you are diabetic or pre-diabetic? You'd be foolish not to go but of course ultimately it's your choice.

PacificDogwod · 05/05/2016 17:16

You have sore knees.
You are overweight.
Your doctor is offering to look for reasons for both those problems with the blood tests.
He also offered some help with weight management.

I fail to see where is is going wrong Confused
Whether you go for blood tests or not, is entirely up to you, but I think you need to understand what they are for and what information may not be available to help in your management before you decide not to go.

Whatever the underlying cause of your knee pain, pain killers will not improve the problem, only your perception of it. I am assuming that your are not old and are expecting your knees to last you a lot longer, so why not look after them?

TattyCat · 05/05/2016 17:16

Op, are you fat and can't be bothered with it? Why do you think that health professionals would waste their time on you? Because they don't care? Or maybe they want you to think about your own health and therefore make it EASIER for you by diagnosing potential problems along the way.

FFS. The NHS can't win, can they?

ifgrandmahadawilly · 05/05/2016 17:23

You don't have to accept any medical treatment you don't want.

I think Dr's are getting some sort of bonus for health checks on certain groups at the moment (I know they are in my mother's area anyway) - hence the over-enthusiasm.

PacificDogwod · 05/05/2016 17:29

Drs are not getting 'bonuses' - there are incentive schemes to try and encourage self-care, preventative medicine, use of other facilities such as leisure centres which often offer weight management etc etc, rather than an over reliance on medicalising all sorts of problems caused by modern lifestyles - too sedentary, overeating, social problems etc etc.

The NHS is in its last death-throws, if you ask me, and Primary Care will be the first to do IMO.

I would not see blood tests to ensure the OP does not suffer from an inflammatory joint problem, for instance, as over enthusiasm. Drs, believe it or not, are not trained to be drug-pedlars - trust me, it's much easier to dish out the painkillers, patient in and out in 3 minutes, than take the time to actually sort the problem. FFS.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 17:55

Thank you for your answers.

I don't have any health schemes

My knee was from where I fell off a horse, not related to being obese (perhaps if the horse had her knee checked the result would be different.)

Blood tests are for diabetes, cholesterol and some other stuff I don't even know.

OP posts:
takemetomars · 05/05/2016 18:14

Of course you don't have to go. Your choice!
Your GP is looking after your best interests as he sees it. I see this as caring. Clearly others don't. Not suggesting you don't.

Always wise to check the obese for diabetes IMHO.

GreenTomatoJam · 05/05/2016 18:15

Goodness, people are reading the OP really differently to me.

I didn't read that she 'had sore knees' for instance - I read that she'd hurt her knee.. and yes, being overweight may not help, but then, I've had doctors who just see the weight and don't actually listen to the problem (the things they tried to auto-put me on when pregnant, which when I researched, would have exacerbated another issue for instance).

You know you're overweight, you can accept help or not, you are an adult and that's your choice. If they can't tell you why they want the blood tests, then I probably wouldn't go either - what makes me think that if they can't be bothered to explain why I should have them, that they'd bother to read them, or read my file and act in an appropriate manner?

MyBreadIsEggy · 05/05/2016 18:23

It might be inconvenient to go for the blood tests, but wouldn't you like to find out if a different problem ie thyroid issues could be a factor in your weight, or if you have invisible problem ie high cholesterol/diabetes that you otherwise wouldn't know about?
Blood test takes two minutes!

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:24

It just seemed strange, that they wanted me to go for blood tests.

I know I'm fat. But the whole appointment was just weird.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:25

It won't be thyroid problems, I just can't stop eating Blush and I am guessing i'd know if I had diabetes.

OP posts:
FlyingElbows · 05/05/2016 18:30

It's not strange at all that they're suggesting blood tests. Blood tells all sorts of stories. Don't do it if you don't want to but there's no secret hidden agenda in it, it's to try and help you. It's up to you entirely whether to accept that help.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:32

Fair enough, it's just never happened before so it seems odd.

OP posts:
MyBreadIsEggy · 05/05/2016 18:36

You wouldn't necessarily know if you had diabetes... According to diabetes.org.uk an estimated 1 in 74 people in the UK are living with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes due to their weight - a simple blood test would diagnose it.
As others have said, you're an adult, and have been offered tests to rule out any problems, it's entirely up to you whether you have them or not.....but if you do have an issue that you're not aware of, then surely it's better to find out sooner rather than later??

Maplessglobe · 05/05/2016 18:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:37

I think I am happier not knowing!

Plus, they'd just start lecturing me about my weight, and I am already a bit upset from the doctor.

OP posts:
CantChoose · 05/05/2016 18:43

im guessing I'd know if I had diabetes Really? How? Hopefully you have a new technique so I can stop sending people for expensive tests...
You don't have to go. You probably should. But nobody will force you and if you choose to avoid screening to allow you to make informed choices about preventative management that's your perogative.
You say you rarely go to the doctors. Perhaps your doctor should have explained more why they wanted em (or you could have asked) but if I saw an obese non-attender I'd take the opportunity to offer bloods too. Rather that than someone blame me saying 'well I went to the doctors with knee pain, they must have seen I'm fat but didn't even mention it or ask me to have tests, now I have organ damage from diabetes and it's all their fault', trust me, I've heard it several times before, we really can't win tbh!