Where can I get a blood test?

[GinaCarbonara]

I need a blood test this week, but I'm out of town away from my regular GP.

I've tried googling to see if a walk in type place can request a blood test but can't find anything, and nor can I find a bloody private GP near me, google is useless!

Do you know who else apart from your normal GP can request a blood test?

I don't think blood tests are done on request - a doctor has to request one because they consider you need one. There are a few private GPs in my area - most private hospitals will operate a private GP service.

A doctor I saw abroad while I was working said I needed to be tested for Coeliac disease, and I'm due to have an operation in a few weeks and have been told that I need to find out whether I have it or not before I have the operation as it could affect my recovery.

I just wish I was back home where I knew where everything was!

Where are you (roughly)? Someone might know of a private gp in the area. Another option is a private hospital, I have had blood tests at a private hospital (a BMI one) so if there is one near you they might be worth calling about it.

Would this be of any help:

bit.ly/2lNfGIb

I normally use Thriva to check my bloods, but I don't think they check for Coeliac disease.

Wow I didn't even know you could buy things like that online! Do you think if it showed a positive result a GP would accept it?

I'm in a hotel, the nearest cities are Wokingham and Bracknell. I'll have a look at private hospitals, thank you!

A doctor I saw abroad while I was working said I needed to be tested for Coeliac disease, and I'm due to have an operation in a few weeks and have been told that I need to find out whether I have it or not before I have the operation as it could affect my recovery.

Won't the pre-op procedures at the hospital where you're having the operation flag this sort of thing up?

This makes no sense at all OP. If you are due to have an op in the next few weeks you will need to have a pre-op examination which should include blood tests. Your consultant / surgeon should notify you of the date for this.

If you are at all concerned about coeliac disease simply ring your normal surgery and book and appointment for bloods. You do not need to have them done this week.

Also, your own GP and surgeons will want to run their own tests - they won't just take results from somewhere else.

Just ask your pre op clinic. Don't waste your money on dodgy bought tests, they won't be accurate. You can't fully diagnose coeliac on a blood test anyway, it needs an endoscopy

That's why pre-op appointments are for.

Don't worry, they will run one if needed.

Blue horizons do lots of tests privately and for nhs

A test for coeliac would definitely be best done through your regular GP. If it was positive - or if it was negative but you had symptoms that warranted further consideration of the possibility - then you would probably be referred to a gastroenterologist for further investigations. Trying to get it done privately this week in advance of your operation is unlikely to make a real difference as there are often delays passing information around different parts of the "system".

I would contact your regular surgery and arrange an appointment for when you are at home. Be aware you may have to make an additional appointment for any blood tests once you've spoken with your GP. They may well want to do more than just the screening test for coeliac.

I don't think a pre-op clinic would order a coeliac screening test by the way. Pretty unlikely at any rate.