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!

I buy ferrous sulphate over the counter. Don't need a prescription, think it was cheaper than a prescription actually.

Just checked and they're the 200mg ones

You could buy online yourself?

You're being unreasonable to expect your GP to blindly prescribe something based on a vague symptom. That said, I certainly would not go to an ED right now unless it was a life or limb situation. If you feel it is due to anaemia, call your local pharmacy and see what they can suggest.

Ok. Thanks for the responses. It’s not my thyroid as that was checked in Jan and although not low enough for my liking it’s OK, I did ask for full bloods but GP only put thyroid on the form (telephone request as they don’t bother to set up annual reviews unless you ask).

I do take a good multi vit/vit D/magnesium at night. Thyroxine in the AM with vit c so it’s not affecting that. The stuff like floradix I was told wasn’t good enough as I need to build up ferritin.

I was told by GP it’s because I don’t eat meat when I asked for investigation into why levels are always low as I understand some people can’t absorb it . My diet is very good actually, loads of greens, beans and lentils and mainly gluten free!

I didn’t know you could by ferrous sulphate over the counter so I’ll try that. Thanks for suggesting it.

She can’t just buy them from Holland and Barrett, my prescription is 325mg and the Holland and Barrett ones are 14mg🤣

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

She can’t just buy them from Holland and Barrett, my prescription is 325mg and the Holland and Barrett ones are 14mg🤣

You can actually buy them...ask a pharmacist. The prescription strength ones are only available in pharmacies. Ferrous sulphate 200mg or ferrous fumarate 210mg. Seeing as it's available OTC I do think your GP is being unreasonable.

OP I was told being vegetarian did impact on my anaemia because I had problems absorbing iron. No matter how many iron-rich foods I ate, I still needed to take iron tablets too.
I had to get ferrous sulphate from the pharmacist last week.
My only concern, in the current climate, with you just buying tablets without a blood test is that some of the symptoms of iron deficiency can be similar to coronavirus eg tiredness, breathlessness, aches, etc. That may be another reason why they want a blood test.

Get spatone from boots, pharmacy etc. Better than prescription supplements

iirc Spatone is a lower iron level than tablets. If OP knows she can take the tabs without side effects then she's better buying otc tablets than Spatone.

Sorry I don't get why you won't do what the GP said and go to the hospital for your blood test?

Buy iron tablets

Seeing as it's available OTC I do think your GP is being unreasonable

The difference is if OP chooses to take it herself and she suffers any negative effects it's on her. If her GP prescribes it without the necessary tests or numbers to validate why they prescribe it and something bad happens they can face legal consequences.

YABU OP.

I take Ferrograd C which is available OTC (at least in Ireland, I assume likely the same in the UK?). 325 mg ferrous sulphate.

Oh, and to add, I took Spatone for quite a while and while it’s easier on your stomach, the iron level in it was just far too low to make a difference for me. Maybe okay for maintaining iron levels once they’re built up.

Because 15 people have died so far from the Corona virus at my local hospital and god knows how many others have been through there with it if you multiply the confirmed cases of 400+ hospital admissions with it by 50-100 Anxious.

We have been told to stay at home FFS and my prescriptions are supposed to be online and delivered to my door.

@hellsbellsmelons can you list me those foods and I’ll debunk you.

Just eat meat ffs.

We have been told to stay at home FFS

You've been told to stay at home except trips such as medical care.

Go or don't go but accept that you are the one causing your own delay in care both by putting off making an appointment sooner and now refusing to follow the medical advice you have been given.

Get spatone from boots, pharmacy etc. Better than prescription supplements

Absolutely disagree with this. Prescription iron supplements contain a very high amount of iron per serving, hence the side effects. Spatone does not contain enough iron to raise your levels if you’re deficient, it’s not an alternative.

One of the reasons we are allowed to leave our home is to get medical care if required. If your GP is saying you need a blood test before prescribing your iron tablets then that is what must happen. Just because your prescriptions are supposed to be online and delivered to you makes absolutely no difference if getting a prescription in the first place requires tests to be done. It is unreasonable to expect your GP to 'use common sense' and just prescribe it. They are using their common sense as they are the medical professional and know what they're talking about.

I totally understand being worried about going to the hospital only for a blood test, so if you choose not to as other posters have said there are other options. A pharmacist can advise you on the best options. I would recommend having a source of vitamin C at the same time as taking an iron supplement, and when eating iron-rich foods, as it helps the body to absorb non-heme iron (which as a vegetarian will be your only source, whether from food or tablets). For example, I take spatone in fresh orange juice.

Also, you mentioned that you're mainly gluten free. Is there a particular reason for this? Only asking as there is a link between gluten sensitivity and iron deficiency. It is common for people with coeliac disease (diagnosed or undiagnosed) to have problems absorbing iron.

Hope this is slightly helpful

It’s not about being vegetarian

But massive link between coeliac and iron deficiency

@Manchestermanchester I'm not a veggie.
I do have friends who are and I was for about 2 years many moons ago.
Google can tell you iron rich foods. LIKE THIS SITE PROTEIN or HERE FOR IRON
Some people don't want to eat meat.
They have very strong feelings about it so it's no good telling people to 'just eat meat'. It's like telling others to just 'believe in god' or 'that there is no god' something similar. It goes against all their beliefs.
I respect other peoples principles on not eating meat.

My iron levels have been much better as a vegetarian compared to when I was a meat eater.

I find so many drs try and blame everything on my diet. I've had 3 different doctors tell me I'm anaemic before getting blood results that show I'm not. I've had one declare B12 deficiency who then had to concede that my B12 levels are excellent. The only people I know with anaemia and B12 deficiency are meat eaters.

OP - don't let them blame your diet unless they've exhausted all other possibilities.

I can see why you don't want to go to the hospital for a blood test. Iron deficiency can cause immine system issues though, so I would be inclined to try and get treatment.

You can buy prescription strength iron tablets at the chemist same for vit D :)