GP mucked up my blood tests

[jt1952]

I feel like crying right now.

I saw my GP with a suspicion of an under active thyroid. He agreed with me and said he would book in the following blood tests:

FBC
Liver function
Renal function
Thyroid function
Tests for ferritin etc
Vitamin D
Cholesterol

I have had the blood test and got the results today. He only ordered FBC, renal function, liver function and HBA1C.

For full context I am overweight, I’ve lost 10 stone and I am still losing (intentionally). The GP has messaged to say the blood are all fine and as far as he’s concerned that’s the case closed. I can access my results.

I feel so frustrated that half the tests he promised haven’t been done. Now I need to start the entire process again, wait four weeks to speak to a GP and wait another four for a blood test, wait a week for the results and see if I actually get the tests I need.

AIBU to make a complaint? It really feels like he was trying to pull a fast one with the HBA1C, and blame this on me being pre-diabetic. In actual fact it’s at the bottom of a normal range!

What? 🧐 Absolutely not. Do you do that with every diagnostic test you have?

It’s not sadly. I’ve asked multiple times because it would be so much easier for me but the surgery stopped doing tests ordered by the hospital (because they would have all their slots filled by the hospital tests) so the hospital started refusing to do tests from GPs. It’s really silly.

The thyroid test is on offer in Waitrose for £7.99 if that would help.
If you get an abnormal result then worth contacting GP again

If the missing tests were on the blood form then they probably haven’t come back yet. If they weren’t on it, why didn’t you query it when it was handed to you?

FFS! I think you need a hobby

I didn’t get a form?

It’s not odd at all - it’s totally standard to have to get your bloods done with a practise nurse - or even by a GP in a routine appointment. Many people don’t have a hospital within easy distance either so going there for a blood test would incredibly impractical.

@jamandcustard that's why I thought it was odd. We live in the back of beyond in a very rural county so I assumed most GP surgeries in urban areas would have the same set up.

{mention:jt1952}@jt1952 good luck when you ring the GP today.

I’ve got through, they’ve said the GP didn’t feel it was necessary to order the tests so he didn’t.

So I presume you complained and asked for another appointment?

I’m going to email a complaint.

I will need to put a form in for another appointment. They can’t do it over the phone for me.

I'm sorry, that is so frustrating. Definitely complain and make a new appointment, requesting a different GP

Wowsers, that's not on. Yes I'd be emailing the practice manager.

Can you afford to get it done privately in the meantime?

No, I can’t.

I mentioned the home tests and they said they don’t rely on those and won’t give bloods based on them.

im so angry

Include a screen shot of your NHS app notes in the email where it said that they would order the bloods for you.

Any chance you can change to a new GP? Yours sounds shit to just be changing their mind

I will look into it but I can’t be bothered to be honest, I guess I’m just going to live like thin

It sounds like your doctors are the issue. Definitely complain if they didn’t order the tests you thought they were and see if you’re in area for any other surgeries. Check reviews for them carefully. The rapid thyroid test would give you an idea of whether or not you need to continue to push for the test so I wouldn’t totally discount that.

It’s possible the lab rejected the thyroid test request because they didn’t have the right information. If you work in the hospital why not just phone the lab and ask?

Otherwise I’d pop in to the GP surgery and query it directly with the receptionist. See if they can give you the form and then hopefully a colleague in the hospital can take the sample for you to speed things up.

This is worth scheduling a day in for. Your health is important. You are important.

OP, are you sure you didn't get a blood test form to take with you?
I appreciate that hospitals have different rules, but I have never been able to get a GP issued blood test without taking the blood test form with me to the hospital.
The form has the labels on, which get attached to each test tube, depending on how many tests you are having.

I get my thyroid blood tests results same day, on the NHS app.

NRFT

https://www.forthwithlife.co.uk/health-tests/hormone-health/thyroid-check/

£50 for an at home finger prick test (it takes a bit of effort to bleed your finger tips but I've done it successful several times).

I didn’t go to the hospital. I had it done at the GP surgery and it was all from her screen.

Sounds like an error. Could you email the practice and tell them? Might be you won’t need an appointment and the gp can just do the request form