to ask for a second opinion with blood test results

[livingthehighlife]

hi

i went yesterday to be tested for diabetes and a range of other blood samples were taken for good measure.
came home from work today to a voicemail from a locum doctor, asking me to call the surgery. when i called, she had left for the day but they got another doc to check the results and he said there was nothing major to be worried about.

now i don't like this second doctor and i think he's a bit flippant and blunt. so i'm really considering going back to the surgery to ask for another doctor (preferably the one who left me the voicemail) to give me a second opinion.

i just don't think its normal practice for a surgery to call you and ask you to ring if there was nothing wrong with the results????

Just make a follow-up appointment with the first dr, then it's not really a second opinion at all. You could also ask for a copy of the results so you can see for yourself?

god i wouldn't even know where to start to look at them and see what they mean!
think i might try to make an appointment with this locum doctor. i hope she's available

The test results normally give "normal" ranges for things, so if a normal range for X is between 5 - 50, and the figure you have is 6, then I guess it's borderline - one dr might think this is nothing major, another might take a different view (disclaimer - I have no medical expertise!)

I would actually assume that it WAS common practice to be asked to call to discuss blood test results. It's certainly happened with me. If there was any problem, I would expect to have to attend an appointment.

However, if you are concerned I think it would be perfectly reasonable for you to call back and ask to speak to someone else. Or, make another appointment- if the bloods are normal but you are not feeling right then that still needs to be discussed anyway.

pozzled...in my surgery its normal to call up and speak to a receptionist to get your results. they will either tell you "all clear" or "doctor wants you to make an appointment". The only time they would call you back personally is if something concerning has shown up.

Which is why i'm concerned when this other doc said there was nothing major showing up.

I had a call back after my blood results and the receptionist said to see the doc but it was nothing urgent or to worry about. I was anaemic. Just make an appointment to see your original doc and say you want to discuss the test results. Even if they are all clear, there still must be something going on so you can ask what the next step is.

"nothing major to be worried about" is an ambiguous comment - it might mean there's nothing wrong, or it might mean there's something minor wrong. so definitely think you would be justified in either phoning up or getting appointment with another GP at the practice.