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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:
Oysterbabe · 05/05/2016 18:43

My dad didn't find out about his diabetes until he had a stroke. But it's your life and if you're happy to risk it, as well as your sight and limbs, with undiagnosed diabetes it's up to you.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:46

Well maybe they could have explained that cantchoose

You're not the only one who can't win. Don't bother the doctor and you are a fat non attender, do bother the doctor and you're wrecking the NHS.

I always thought diabetes had symptoms like thirst and hunger and frequent urinating.

OP posts:
AyeAmarok · 05/05/2016 18:46

Doctors are damned if they do and damned if they don't, it seems.

I went and asked for a blood test once and got roundly told off for expecting that the NHS would just do one on request. (there was a reason I was asking, which he'd have known if he let me finish my sentence)

Here they've offered one to try and help you and that's wrong too.

lampygirl · 05/05/2016 18:48

I find their inability to offer these routine things at all surgery hours to be a bigger barrier. I originally chose my clinic when I moved because it had the most late opening and weekend opening times. It later turns out that none of the things I need to go for (diabetes clinic, been type 1 since childhood, and blood tests) both only run certain mornings.

A HBA1C (for diabetes) is not a fasting test and can be done any time. There is literally no need for it to be offered only 8-11am.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:48

I don't know what they wanted to help me with, Aye; as it was it came across a bit like "you're fat" which I am sure wasn't the intention. There is absolutely no need for this amount of defensiveness.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:49

Same, lampy

it was just a weird appointment, he kept looking at me and saying 'is there anything you want to tell me?'

OP posts:
TattyCat · 05/05/2016 18:50

FFS. Op, if you're obese then you need to do something about it. You already know it's down to over eating, as per your above post. So either lose weight or expect to have health issues and that includes stress on your joints (of course it may be due to something else, but I work on the basis of elimination).

My SIL is just the same - she yoyos with weight and has a mass of horrible health issues as a direct result of it, yet she's relatively young in her early 50s. Her life is crap because of it. The feeling of hunger won't kill you - it's just unpleasant. As long as you're getting nutrition with what you do eat, you'll be fine and the feeling of hunger passes (give it 2/3 hours - it passes, honestly!). If you feel hungry, drink lots of water.

sonlypuppyfat · 05/05/2016 18:51

There's something to be said for Ignorance is bliss, my dad used to work in a huge factory that did health tests. He said people used to go for them feeling perfectly well get told they were a bit fat etc And then they felt awful and we're never "well" again

AndTakeYourPenguinWithYou · 05/05/2016 18:51

I think I am happier not knowing

Yeah you'd be happy until you lose a foot, go blind, or have a stroke. Sure why bother taking the time to have a simple blood test?

expatinscotland · 05/05/2016 18:51

'and I am guessing i'd know if I had diabetes.'

No, you wouldn't.

'I think I am happier not knowing!'

You'd be happy to potentially drop dead or become permanently disabled from stroke or heart attack prematurely because you had undiagnosed diabetes when you realise that being obese increases one's risk of developing diabetes? Lose your sight? Die from kidney failure?

They suggest blood tests to people who have increased risk - people of certain ethnic origins who are over a certain age, those who are overweight/obese, etc. not to lecture you but to determine if you may have a disease that has a potential to be life-threatening.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:52

Well, yes, it does lead to stress on your joints, I've tried to lose weight but am just fat.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 05/05/2016 18:52

You are describing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes

Type 2 (which is what you will be being investigated for) is more insidious and in it's early stages may have surprisingly few symptoms

Ditto, high cholesterol

Until you start racking up the risk factors of high blood pressure, congestive cardiac failure, stroke

Etc

Get the blood tests.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 18:55

I would be surprised if I didn't have high cholesterol, to be honest, it does run in the family.

OP posts:
CountessOfStrathearn · 05/05/2016 18:57

lampygirl, "A HBA1C (for diabetes) is not a fasting test and can be done any time. There is literally no need for it to be offered only 8-11am."

Perhaps there is only phlebotomy at the surgery between 8-11am.

Also, cholesterol/lipids is often done as a fasting test, so it would be far more sensible to get all the blood tests done at the same time.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:00

Well no one said anything about fasting so I don't honestly know what I'm meant to do. It'll have to wait a few weeks anyway if I do decide to go as I am busy.

OP posts:
CantChoose · 05/05/2016 19:01

You're right - far too much emphasis is being put on patients knowing when they should come or not come to the doctor in my opinion. Education about this is always welcome but I feel the current emphasis is quite blamey and not all that helpful...
You've gone to the doctors when you feel you need to see them, which is reasonable, and they've used that opportunity to try and throw in some general health management which is also reasonable imo.
As several have said, the type of diabetes you're most at risk of doesn't often present with the symptoms you described but is often diagnosed by screening bloods or, unfortunately, with organ damage or even major events like strokes.

AuntJane · 05/05/2016 19:06

A similar thing happened to me. I was called in for a check-up, and because of my weight was sent for blood tests - basically because they considered I was at risk of diabetes. The blood tests showed almost everything was fine except it identified slight issues with my kidneys. A simple dietary change (reduce the coffee), and three months later repeated tests were fine.

Going for the tests gave the opportunity to correct the kidney issue before it became serious, and could also have given early identification of diabetes. I'm glad I went, even though I did nearly faint!

And, for the record, the last time I was off work sick was in 2001, when I broke my wrist.

TattyCat · 05/05/2016 19:06

It'll have to wait a few weeks anyway if I do decide to go as I am busy.

Lovely. Because the rest of the world can wait until you're free to grace them with your presence, right? This is YOUR health and if you don't care about it, who will? Do you expect the NHS to chase you to find out how you are?

Assuming you don't work because those who do tend to respect the time of other working professionals. Or do you think you 'pay their wages?'

Gottagetmoving · 05/05/2016 19:07

If you hardly ever go to see the doctor it could be he wants the blood test as a routine health check, especially as you are overweight.
Most doctors do a health review and assessment on new patients or ones they have not seen in years. It can pick up as yet unknown problems, which is better than something that is developing getting worse.

P1nkP0ppy · 05/05/2016 19:07

My dh didn't know he had Type 2 diabetes until he had a DVT and Pulmonary embolism and ended up in ICU.......no other symptoms according to him 😳
Your GP clearly knows best so, if you choose to not go, please don't expect a sympathetic outcome when complications arise as a result of your choice to ignore him/her.
Yes, I sound harsh but quite frankly, as a former Nurse Practitioner, I get exasperated downright irritated by those who chose not to be responsible for their own health and who ignore medical advice.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:11

Am in my thirties so hopefully not too much risk. I do want to lose weight but I find it very difficult. I hate being fat, my husband hates me being fat, but it is hard to address and I must admit I feel very self conscious and embarrassed now which means I will avoid the doctor in future!

OP posts:
TattyCat · 05/05/2016 19:12

Do you eat big meals or little and often? What does your diet look like on a daily basis?

AnyFucker · 05/05/2016 19:12

Bad move, op

TattyCat · 05/05/2016 19:13

Bad move, op that's helpful.

Original poster
Wetbankhols · 05/05/2016 19:14

What the bloody hell, Tatty Shock Shock Shock

The place is open every day Monday-Friday, and it is BECAUSE I am at work that going at that time will be difficult.

I have utmost respect for doctors and I don't know how this thread has come across that I don't.

Pink, candidly I sometimes wonder if I am just slowly trying to commit suicide but perhaps not. I'm not entirely sure my GP does know best, based on a ten minute meeting once.

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