Does this sound like an NHS or would I have to go private.

[westcountrykids]

I had a baby nearly two years ago and did have low iron so was prescribed iron tablets but when they ran out I was not given any more blood tests.
I have lots of hair shedding, literally handfuls everytime I wash or brush my hair or even run my fingers through it, also my forearms and legs above the knee are completely smooth.
I originally thought it was normal postpartum hair loss but after all this time and no sign of either more growth or less shedding I think it’s something else now.
I did think it could be my thyroid but after I filled out an online econsult for hair loss it said this is not covered on the NHS and I will need to go private, which basically means not finding out the cause as I can barely afford groceries and bills so not in a position to pay private.

I was just wondering if anyone else has managed to get blood tests on the NHS or is this really not covered.
I just want to know if I have an iron deficiency or any other deficiency or thyroid issue so I can get to the bottom of what’s going on.

Can you ring your surgery and say you're concerned about the thyroid and iron levels? This is not something you should have to go private for. I am quite confident about that. Hope you get to the bottom of it.

Are you fatigued? Tired all the time?

If so, that's what you put on the econsult. Really tired, not able to function. They should then do a full panel, including thyroid and iron.

Is your only symptom hair loss?

If it’s just hair loss and nothing else it’s seen as cosmetic. I’d fill out another form and say you are tired all the time and would like blood tests including thyroid and iron.

FWIW my symptoms of an underactive thyroid was - tired all the time even after sleeping for 8 hours, cold hands and feet, irregular periods, and pain in my throat.

I don’t feel any more tired than usual so I think hair loss is the main symptom.
I am 42 so it could even be perimenopause but again no other symptoms.

Have you just been TATT for so long you think it's normal? (I would put that on econsult anyway, TBH, and then you get the blood tests you want/ need.)

Low iron runs in my family and everyone is TATT and it so easily becomes normalised especially if you go "oh, small children / busy life etc etc".

I think they are taking the piss to say that hair loss isn't covered on the NHS https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hair-loss/ Ask them to show you the guidance that says this. Some treatments are, but as you say, it can be a symptom of a deficiency and they shouldn't be fobbing you off IMO.

If it’s a blood test your after just say your tired all the time, they will test your thyroid levels etc a little white lie won’t hurt.

It could be your B12 levels. I’ve been losing hair for two years now and thought it was due to dramatic weight loss. But it continued when I stopped losing weight as well. I had a blood test and it showed low levels of B12 which could explain it.

If you have any of the other symptoms of B12 deficiency, I’d do a triage form about those and ask for blood tests based on that. That’s totally standard to ask for on the NHS.

I have been tired for years but actually since the birth I have more energy than I have had in a long time.
I am cold all the time, fingers go completely white sometimes.

Then yes it is solely cosmetic.

Go back to the GP and insist on an appointment and further testing.

I’ve just looked and it could also be this.

You can definitely get bloods done through your GP. Make an appointment and get the ball rolling.

You can get a blood test on the nhs to check your thyroid, iron and other levels. Just book an appointment and ask your gp for it.

I’m under a private endocrinologist as I have private healthcare but I still get my bloods done on the nhs.

My endocrinologist told me to get these tablets for my iron levels. You can get a years supply for only £6…

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/ferrous-fumarate-210mg-iron-deficiency-anaemia-84-tablets/?attribute_select-quantity=1+Pack+(84+Tablets)&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19973603007&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2_TQBhCnARIsAF3-Xhz7GMvYanYFI1gfIP22LfFnODbFsLgkzi2Smay1l0pY8Jrfafa5BLAaAi3EEALw_wcB

Op, just add extreme fatigue to an econsult leave out the hair loss bit or else yes many triaging econsults are a but thick and will focus on the hairloss.

Say you've previously been iron deficient and want a blood check. Sometimes you have to tell them how to do their jobs unfortunately.

You can buy the tests in supermarkets, boots etc. under £10 each - thyroid, iron (but it's ferritin only rather than Hb), menopause, B12.

Quicker than waiting for NHS GP & cheaper than private GP & tests.

I will give them a call then and see if they will.

Why buy tests? You literally go to your GP, have a blood test, get exact results back within a few days 😵‍💫 All free

Because this is purely cosmetic.

Go and see your GP.

Exactly, and it’s much better to have a panel of bloods done (B12, iron, FBC, thyroid, vitamin D) by a GP, than randomly guessing which deficiency you might have. Plus finger prick tests are less accurate and very often don’t give an actual figure, just say you’re either deficient in something or you’re not. And, if you take those results to a GP they’ll want to re-run them anyway.

TL;DR: most OTC tests are a waste of time.

Have you tried the NHS ? You didn’t go back to them once your tablets ran out ?

And yes, an online e consultation will advise you to go privately. They probably make money somehow out of doing so.

Go to your GP please.

How arrogant.

You have no idea whether OP is iron deficient or has a thyroid problem or other potential issue which might show up on a blood test.

The quality of the triage system often depends on what symptoms the patient lists.

OP should request a full blood panel and mention all her symptoms - feeling cold, hair loss not just on her head but also on her limbs etc.

Sounds like you have Raynaud’s- coupled w the hair loss I’d insist on a blood test (Raynaud’s can be primary or secondary and GPs take it seriously).