Can I get blood test results over the phone from GP surgery

[DaffodilsAhoy]

I have recently had some blood tests - if I phone GP will they give me the results over the phone? Obviously if they are all clear it would be a waste of time to see the doctor about it. It's bloomin ages since I had any tests so I can't remember how this works!

Mine does yes. Hope they're ok :)

usually they will, especially if they are clear. Did the nurse say how long they would take?

Yes, mine do results over the phone. If they're all clear it's a waste of a slot with a doctor. Also hoping they're okay!

The nurse at the hospital who did tests said they would be done that day but to ring GP the following day, she said results are just 'bleeped' to their computers. I know the answer to my question is to ring but I am a born worrier! I think the results will be clear but it then leaves the question of what is causing the problem. So if results aren't clear will I just be asked to come in - not expecting receptionists to offer an opinion on them - how do they know if the results are normal or not?

I can't say whether they will have one of the practice staff review the results before they will be allowed to give them to you, but when blood tests are done, one of the things that comes back with them is the normal range for each thing being tested. Quite often (at least in my experience) if it's outside normal range it may be annotated with a comment from the person who performed the blood test just to make it crystal clear this one ain't right and needs more investigation.

If you think the blood test results being clear won't be the end of the matter anyway, i.e. you and the GP will need to discuss next options regardless of whether the results are clear or not, I would just book an appointment. If the results aren't clear I think they'll ask you to book anyway rather than just tell you.

And yes, if the nurse thought the results would be available in the practice the following day they probably will be, although don't be alarmed if they aren't - in our area some practices are connected to the hospital so they can get blood tests results very quickly, others are still using the more traditional routes that take a bit longer for the results to come back. I really appreciated being able to get mine overnight when I was first ill last year, esp as one of the markers the GP was looking for was for cancer.

You can also ask the GP for a print out of your results if you wish!

Thanks trib! I hope they are linked to the local hospital then. TBH I only saw the dr on Wednesday, she sent me for blood tests, gave me some medicine to try (which would treat different condition) and told to come back next week. So basically I am being massively impatient, if these tests come back with anything then I will need to see her again.

Doesn't hurt to phone and ask if the results are back, although I think my surgery asks people not to phone for results before 11 (I guess because they are handling that day's appointments).

It's an electronic link, many practices can set up the request via a system that is directly linked into the LIMS (lab computer) so when the sample arrives the request is picked up.
The results are sent out down the link. For blood and biochem tests they are given with a reference range and indications of where those are outside the norm to flag by how much.
How quickly you get results can also depend on what tests are being run some take longer than others.

they would phone you if there was a problem with them, they should be fine :)

Mine will tell me results over the phone (i have to call after 2pm). When the results have meant I need to change my meds, they have then arranged a telephone consultation with a dr later that day.