GP said no blood tests at this time. Wth

[Islandcircle4]

I’m shocked. Called the surgery to arrange bloods to be taken. I have anaemia due to female health issue so have regular bloods taken. The receptionist Said they are not doing any blood tests due to shortage of tubes. I heard some tho big about this in the summer but thought it had been resolved as we hear nothing about this anymore. I feel for people who need urgent tests… I mean, this isn’t 1920’s. Why can’t we just make more tubes. I do feel for us all. Neglected health. People are going to die.

Not sure how you can make that distinction based on the limited info given in the OP, but that didn’t stop you from suggesting something that may be totally inappropriate for her condition.

Routine or non urgent testing has restarted.

Ferrous fumerate due to large blood loss each month.

@LemonTT

Routine or non urgent testing has restarted.

Yes, just checked and it restarted in our area on the 17th.

@Rosscameasdoody

Not sure how you can make that distinction based on the limited info given in the OP, but that didn’t stop you from suggesting something that may be totally inappropriate for her condition.

Come on now. It's easy to figure out that the OP gets heavy periods.

@CurlyWurly321

I suffer from anemia due to female health issues.

If I had a blood test every time my iron was low, there would have been a shortage of bottles 10 years ago.

If you feel rough, take iron tablets. You can buy prescription strength ones from over the counter.

YABU.

Ridiculous response.

The QUALIFIED DOCTOR sends the patient for the test.

FFS, I know some people have had enough of experts but doubt you know better than the op's GP.

My GP wanted me retested 2 weeks ago, now says there’s a bottle shortage. Surely he knew this 2 weeks ago

Our area is still restricted with no sign of it easing yet, however this isn’t a have or don’t have it’s just a delay to some people for maybe a month. Iron deficiency anaemia can be treated for a month whilst waiting for blood test.
However the pp waiting for rheumatoid arthritis bloods ( presumably on Mtx or similar) this in my area is classed as urgent and would not have been stopped.

It must be different in different areas as I have had two lots of blood tests for the same reason in the last week.

I bet all the 'don't bother with the test, just take some iron' posters are the same folk who ask women with hyperemesis gravidarum if they've tried ginger.

Google it, there is an international shortage, it’s not just here

In my area all non urgent bloods have been cancelled

I had a blood test at my GPs surgery yesterday for suspected anaemia, wasn’t a problem. Have you spoken to the GP or just the receptionist?

Same here. They have suspended my routine checks. Meds I'm on and conditions I have I need regular kidney and liver function tests and all sorts of random letter stuff.

Oddly I was also told they are short on red top urine sample pots. I had a wonky result and the gp said redo using red top (apparently they do different tests and he wanted that I don't know how that works ) Whether that was just a temporary issue at my surgery or a bigger problem I don't know but the receptionist was really reluctant and said they were really short.

@PurBal

I had a blood test at my GPs surgery yesterday for suspected anaemia, wasn’t a problem. Have you spoken to the GP or just the receptionist?

I think if they’re diagnostic like yours they are going ahead, whereas routine/monitoring tests have been delayed.

This test tube shortage is just insane - when they are readily available on Amazon. You'd hope the NHS would be nimble enough to work around supply issues with certain companies.

I don't know what you mean by "any more". It's only very recently become a thing. I got a text from my gp surgery about it on 27th August.

I am overdue for annual blood tests to check that medication isn't causing kidney issues. I can't have those tests until the shortages are resolved. It's not great, but it's better that more urgent cases than mine get their blood tested, so I'm being pragmatic about it.

@Mythreeknights

This test tube shortage is just insane - when they are readily available on Amazon. You'd hope the NHS would be nimble enough to work around supply issues with certain companies.

Lol they're not just any old test tubes. They are designed for specific blood tests.

@Mythreeknights

This test tube shortage is just insane - when they are readily available on Amazon. You'd hope the NHS would be nimble enough to work around supply issues with certain companies.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

YANBU. I've been in the same situation as you, it wasn't managed properly and I ended up being admitted to hospital overnight for an emergency blood transfusion. "Routine" tests can become urgent expensive situations very quickly.

@Mythreeknights

This test tube shortage is just insane - when they are readily available on Amazon. You'd hope the NHS would be nimble enough to work around supply issues with certain companies.

if only they’d thought to order them on Amazon 🙄

@CurlyWurly321 Doesn’t matter what the condition is, the GP is concerned enough to order regular blood tests. And iron tablets bought over the counter - even prescription strength - won’t be specific to the OP’s needs if she’s taking prescribed Ferrous Fumerate at a measured dose.