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.

Wow, this thread is depressing.

So glad I don't live in the UK anymore. The health service sounds completely fucked.

This is unnecessary. You need to calm down.

@CrustyFlake so tell us about the amazing, universal free at point of service health system where you live ??

We have free at point of service (not in UK), but you wouldn’t get a blood test due to dry hair and trying to work out whether you should take VitD supplements though. If you had clinical symptoms of vitD deficiency or other clinical symptoms that would indicate a blood test then you would get the blood test, no payment.

I’m in Australia and went to see a doctor who worked in the UK. He said the NHS is great for cancer and if you’re dying.
it is just too reactive, and if there were more preventive checks in place, might help to alleviate the stress on the system.

I’ve worked as a clinician for decades in Australia and there is NO way we could order a blood test via Medicare (i.e. free to patient), for someone with dry hair and ‘wondering’ whether or not to continue with OTC VitD supps. So no difference to NHS.

You can pay for a private blood test for about 120 quid just Google ‘blood test insert town’’ if your hairs that important it’s most likely actually cheaper to do a blood test than go to an expensive salon for a hair professional to look at it - although you should probably start there, why would dry hair be medical, maybe start with someone who knows about hair ?!
as for the supplements it’s probably a placebo effect taking them anyway so either carry on or don’t unless your having really concerning symptoms don’t worry about it

What the hell! Seriously, 8k, I'm in shock and had no idea it was that much. I've had a few via my GP and the hospital monitoring an autoimmune condition & feel guilty now at the costs. OP, I think you should just take vitamin D supplements and eat mushrooms and oily fish if you're not vegetarian. Get some sun exposure in the summer.

what the fuck is wrong with you

no blood test is 8 grand. You could order every single blood test on the computer list and it wouldnt even be CLOSE to 8 grand, that poster is making shit up for some reason

I wonder how old you are, OP and where in the menopause process?

I ask because my hair - which was fairly oily most of my life - suddenly became very dry when I went into perimenopause.

@VickyEadieofThigh Yes, I am perimenopausal and I don't know what to do about my dry hair wich used to be greasy when I wa younger.

I had a blood panel.done at a private hospital about five years ago. It was £277.

Don't be silly.