To think it odd my doctor won't give me a blood test

[ImStillMe]

I did an e-comsult asking for a blood test for two things. Firstly I have been taking OTC vitamin D as I read this may be beneficial if you catch Covid (although I have also read this is debunked). I wanted my vitamin D level checked so I know whether or not to continue with this.

And secondly my hair has become very dry so I wondered if I am deficient in anything, or if it ok to try OTC biotin or zinc.

The surgery replied to say it's up to me if I want to continue with vitamin D supplements or not as they are OTC, and that I should talk to a pharmacist about my dry hair.

So no blood tests for me.

YANBVU.

Blood test wait at local GP for routine/none urgent 4-6 weeks.

Buy a home fingerprick test from Superdrug/Blue Horizon for £20-100 and get the result within a week with a comment from doc.

My FIL had to wait weeks for blood test and he had cancer. This isn’t where the NHS can help you right now unfortunately. In an ideal world yes health care would be preventative- right now it’s fire fighting.

Hey, my cousin has an appointment about the lump on their breast they’re worried might be breast cancer tomorrow. But tell me where you live and I’m sure they will be happy to let you have the appointment - no-one wants dry hair eh?!

Either change your haircare routine or test privately monitormyhealth.org.uk/vitamin-d-test/

Checking why you have dry hair isn’t “preventative medicine” 🤯

And people wonder why the NHS can't cope.

I had a blood test last week and my hair is quite dry - if only I'd thought to ask them to check that while they were at it 🙄.

Thank you @AlansFungalFootPowder

Noooo waaayyyy. That's extortionate! I get it much cheaper than that from a private doctor. The nhs need to send the blood samples there!

£8000?! Don’t be so bloody ridculous. How could you think blood tests cost EIGHT GRAND a pop ffs

OP you’re taking the absolute piss

Well it could be if you had an underlying condition or deficiency that was causing the dry hair (which could just be the start of something).
For example Dry and Brittle Hair is one of the early signs of Hypothyroidism.

But the NHS isn’t really in a place to be offering that service right now.

£8000 ??!!

OP you can use a private service like Nuffield or Thriva.

Maybe if there was a national mentality that people should be encouraged to test regularly, just maybe, we could prevent some types of illness that are currently utilising NHS resources.

And can we stop with this attitude that the NHS is only there for grave illness or you must be on your death bed before you have the right to access any NHS services.

I do hope one day we'll get a government with the guts to get rid of the NHS.

OP, in the UK, I'd definitely get the tests done but find a private clinic. I wouldn't dismiss what you describe. You want to know if you are deficient in anything, you should find out. All may be well or perhaps you could do with some additional vitamins as recommended by a doctor. Better to know.
I know a few countries where blood tests and other tests are offered as a preventive health measure through national health care or easily accessible private care. The difference is, in quite a few other countries, people are used to the idea of spending more money on their health. And on good quality food for example. It's the way it is. They'd rather not but are accepting of this. And although not great for their pockets, maybe it's better for their health.

Oh and for zinc you can just buy liquid zinc and do a taste test. If it tastes bitter your levels are ok. If it tastes sweet then you are low in zinc.

I agree, you are being ridiculous. You aren't ill, why on earth should the doctor send you for a blood test? They cost the NHS money, they are not going to waste resources on your dry hair, or your vitamin D worries.

Maybe if there was a national mentality that people should be encouraged to test regularly, just maybe, we could prevent some types of illness that are currently utilising NHS resources

Yep, that epidemic of undiagnosed selenium deficiency is a real worry.

There has to be a VERY compelling reason for NHS to do Vit D blood tests. I was refused and I've been ill with numerous health issues following Covid. Asking for it because you've got dry hair seems ridiculous!

I think if you are not ill and have no symptoms but are just curious, there are plenty of private labs and services that will test your blood for you.

have you ever heard of conditioner op

I had a Vitamin D blood test through Cerascreen. It cost about £40 if I remember right.

Don't be so ridiculous.

I asked my GP if my iron, folate B12, and thyroid could be checked due to tiredness. GP was happy to do blood forms for me.

If you're going private op, I'd recommend Thriva, I've used them before. V good and quick turnaround.

OP just pay for bloods privately if you want them. Dry hair is no more urgent than facial wrinkles and I wouldn’t go to my GP asking for anti wrinkle cream or Botox. It sounds like you want a homeopathic nutritionist anyway.

It can't cost that! I have bloods every 10 weeks and my consultant throws in whatever he wants or if I ask for something. Got one tomorrow

My vitamin d was found purely because they tested for it in my regular blood tests, levels of 9 so I take it regularly now