Unnecessary trip to hospital? Is GP surgery being ridiculous?

[JustCantShakeIt]

I have suffered low iron levels for years being a vegetarian. I also have hypothyroidism which is probably related. Last time I needed a refill for iron tablets I was told I’d need a consultation with my GP but I couldn’t get through on the phone as it’s constantly busy and appointments take a month to get so I put it off.

I haven’t had any now for about 3 months and am starting to feel the familiar tiredness so asked if the GP could just prescribe them with my usual thyroxine but I was told No. I need a blood test which are now only being done at the local hospital.

I don’t want to step foot into a hospital at present unless it’s a emergency.

AIBU to expect GP to use common sense and just prescribe them in the current climate. It’s hardly crack!

And if it’s not the right thing for you and it’s another reason for the tiredness who’s going to stand up for the GP then?

You should be asking the GP not MN

I don't believe being Veggie is the reason for low iron OP.
There are loads of veggie foods that have loads more iron in them than meat does, which I'm sure you are already well aware of.
I would call back and tell them that you will have a blood test once this is all over but you need a repeat of iron and the current situation should be considered right now.
Be assertive and firm but not rude.
I'm assuming normal iron supplements just don't cut it?

So you couldn't be bothered for 3 months, are now feeling the effects and want them to prescribe it without following procedure?

You can get iron supplements in over the counter vitamins... there’s iron in my pregnancy vitamins for example. Will something like that bot work for now?

For the time being just get some from the pharmacy

Just buy some?

Could you use a supplement in the meantime? Like floradix? Not sure if that's the correct spelling. You can usually buy it from Holland and Barrett

I'd just some while things are like this. Might not be the strength you'd get from GP but better than nothing.

Unfortunately it is obviously a regulation that they must do a blood test before they prescribe it.

If they prescribe it without the blood test and it does you harm then you’d be on here asking if you should sue the NHS for medical negligence.

Buy some if you can the next time you do your shopping, see if that helps.

Being vegetarian should not be the reason for your low iron levels, is your GP concerned for any other reason than hypothyroidism?

Holland and Barrett do them for less than a prescription cost.

It’s not the GPs fault you waited 3 months to do anything about it.

you can buy 60mg ferrous sulphate tablets from the pharmacist without a prescription.

Buy some as pp have said- or increase intake of which ever foods rich in iron you can get?

OP can’t just buy them from a shop, those tablets are 14mg of iron, I‘m on prescribed iron tablets, 210mg in each.

It’s not the GPs fault you waited 3 months to do anything about it

The OP said very clearly that she's been unable to get an appointment because it's always busy. Have we forgotten that even before this crisis, you needed a letter from the Holy Ghost to see a GP?

I take thyroxine too and my take on it is that they will want to test your thyroid levels as well as the iron levels - too little thyroxine leaves you feeling tired and washed out too and they need to make sure that you are truly iron deficient and not needing an increase in your thyroxine prescription.

Just go for the test. Or buy some iron tablets.

If you are sure it's iron then buy it - you can get prescription strength.

If you are not sure then you need the blood tests. Personally I think you are unreasonable getting iron on prescription at any time. It costs pennies to buy

Blood test is so they now how higher dose to give you and if theres anything more alarming going on. Pregnancy tablets or vitamins over the counter wont touch the sides.

You can supplements as strong as prescribed ones on the web.

It is very likely due to vegetarianism in women. There may be more iron in veggie food but its non heme iron which is much less bioavailable. We need more iron due to periods, especially heavy ones so being veggie means you are much more likely to be anemic.
Spatone are the best orc supplements I've taken op they absorb well.
Were you very anemic?
Can you ask if there's anywhere else you can get the blood test.

@dogcrazy you can, my dad when he runs out buy his at the pharmacy until his prescription comes through.

@cologne4711 they said it can take a month - so you book... you don’t wait three months. I do mine online and it can take a month but if you have health issues you need to be on that.

You can ask your pharmacist to recommend the closest over the counter product to that you are usually prescribed.

Some scripts require blood results (for good reason); if the prescribing guidance hasn’t changed then your GP’s hands are tied.

Just buy them OP.