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.

Are you taking iron supplements?

Handfuls of hair falling out and hair loss from other parts of the body coupled with a history of at least iron deficiency (which can cause hair loss) should be followed up not dismissed as “cosmetic”.

Alopecia is associated with a number of conditions which don’t always have clear symptoms - basic bloods is a bare minimal investigation.

Anyone saying hair loss is "cosmetic" is foolish. Ignore them.

I have seen a specialist, OP, who told me that if you're losing clumps of hair, or if you can pull at your scalp and remove 4+ strands per pluck and without any effort or pain, you are losing hair due to a hormone shift. They told me that, luckily, this means the hair loss is temporary and will regrow but the hormone issue needs to be addressed. This could be caused by thyroid, perimenopause, change in diet, lack of minerals etc

So, I would go to the NHS and demand a blood test for thyroid and full blood count.

Once you have this information, you can go from there regarding pursuing additional tests via NHS or private.

Because if you read the OP her GP has already said no?!

What are you on about? Purely cosmetic?? 😵‍💫😵‍💫

Can you read? Clearly not. Please show me where it says ‘my GP has said no I can’t have a blood test’ … 🤨🤨

I’ve seen my gp about this issue, they didn’t dismiss me at all and I had a blood test. I had very low iron. I don’t think it’s a cosmetic issue at all. Make sure you tell them all your symptoms.

Econsult for this with no follow up is frankly not good enough.

It could be all manner of things. It's unusual and other causes should be properly ruled out.

No fatigue etc., just hair loss means it’s cosmetic. That’s what my GP told me. You can either bend the truth and say you’re knackered or get a private blood test.

Unless your GP was saying that after having seen you, taken a history, conducted relevant tests and ruled out the range of conditions for which hair loss is a symptom you might be well advised to find a new GP.

Don't bother with a fingerprick test- waste of time and money as your GP will just have to have it redone, especially as you are short on funds.

History of low iron levels + cold all the time + hair loss - definitely needs a blood test for iron and thyroid. Try again and don't lead with the hair loss.

You need to add additional symptoms such as if you’re tired or getting sick a lot and have previous iron deficiency. The NHS will do a blood test to check for anaemia and help with it but not just for hair loss.

Either you or your GP is talking rubbish. Any GP will at least do basic blood tests to look for basic factors in determining an underlying cause of hair loss. No one needs to be paying for blood tests.

"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"

You’ve shown me nothing there. All you’ve actually shown is OP was offered no help for hair loss. Nothing about being refused a blood test. All OP has to do is go to her GP and request a blood test, it really is that simple. No need at all to buy any kind of test otc.

The OP has to get past the e-consult form first. It is increasingly the gate to GP services and often poorly used. My practice offers online forms in addition to retaining phoning for appointments but several neighbouring practices have gone almost entirely to online access points. Unsurprisingly this disadvantages those who struggle with the complexity of some of the forms and who lack the “sharp elbows” to use the system to advantage.

Of course you can go the GP and ask for blood tests, you literally just say 'My symptoms are xyz, can I be referred for a blood test please?'

The GP will ask questions ie, any changes to your diet, how are you sleeping, bowel movements changed ect but a GP would never be able to diagnose anything internal without tests and a blood test is almost always first.

If your bloods come back fine, and you still want answers THEN i'd go private purely because of waiting times.

However, I'm going to assume it's alot of hair to you but maybe not in general, we shed alot of hair every day, I've never had hair above my knees and my forearms are just fine blonde hairs. My head hair has thinned horrible amounts since having babies but I still have a full head of hair just it's alot thinner than it was 10 years ago.

But if your worried there is a cause there then absolutely go to your GP. I'd say your looking at about a 6-8 week turn around in my area. 3 weeks for the appointment, maybe 2 weeks for the blood test after and then 1/2 weeks for results if they invite you in.

Good luck!

The hair loss could be alopecia. I can't remember the name of it but there's one that does grow back. It can be caused by trauma or something like childbirth or pregnancy maybe. If you have high hemoglobin it shows your body is fighting something else so it hasn't the energy to hold onto hair. Sorry that's a very unscientific way of describing it.

But I know someone who had it and they got this steroid stuff called Betacap from the GP and it made their hair grow back really quickly.

Not sure if that applies to you but it certainly seemed to work.

Definitely go and see your GP op.

I had the same issue as you where i had low iron during pregnancy, then they give you zero advice about needing to take it after birth, despite me also losing a lot of blood during my c section. It turns out i still had low levels a year and a half later, which i found out from an NHS blood test.

That’s not the point I’m making in response to this particular poster (Serencwtch) who told OP to buy tests from the supermarket/boots). OP doesn’t have to pay for any test. All she needs to do is call into her GP practise or ring up, and request a blood test. It’s that simple.

I’ve used the econsult system. It asks the ins and outs of a fart, time after time, you’re repeating yourself on every page. I think people think they must put so much information in, but actually a very brief description will suffice, as it is after all, a gateway to an appointment as you say.

The point I’m making is that she may not be able to ring up and ask - many practices now use e-forms to gatekeeper pretty much all access, including requests for routine tests and services.

E-consult is used differently by every practice. Mine uses it as an alternate way of contact for those who find it convenient which is a reasonable compromise. The two immediately adjacent make it near impossible to contact them any other way and if you do make it through to reception you will be sent back to the form (unless they have you listed as incapable in some way).

Not sure why you quoted me in the first place really. You can make your point without randomly quoting my post. OP also said yesterday lunchtime she would ring the doctors. 🤷‍♀️