GP won’t fully renew prescription until blood tests, is this normal?

[Barbarella73]

I was at the GP last week to get a prescription renewal for my HRT and blood pressure meds. It was a new doctor, and the appointment was very short. She mentioned I should make an appointment to have my bloods done (I had them done last in April 2025 and all was fine). When I went to the pharmacy this week, they told me that the GP had renewed the prescription for just one month (usually 6 months). I emailed the GP clinic, to query this and they said that the doctor wanted me to get my bloods done before any further renewals. I’m really worried now - if she was concerned, shouldn’t she have mentioned it during the consultation last week? I’ve asked the clinic to arrange for the doctor to call me, but I’m not even sure what I should ask her.
Is this normal? I’m 53 and have no health issues apart from my BP (both my parents have it despite being in rude health too).

My DP is on blood pressure tablets and has been for years, he has to have an annual blood test and a week of blood pressure monitoring at home.

Yes my GP requires a meds review every year in your birthday month. If you go over, they only issue prescriptions for two weeks at a time.

ETA the review includes blood tests.

Completely normal and extraordinary that you get 6 months of medication at all. Perhaps you aren't in the UK?

I wouldn’t ask the Dr to call me, I’d just get the blood testing done as requested and then they will call you in to discuss if necessary or otherwise just update your nhs app and allow the repeat prescriptions again.

I dont know explicitly about BP meds, but yes, it is very normal to expect a review of medication occasionally. Is it still the right medication? At the right dose? How are your symptoms? Side effects?

I assumed she meant 6 months of repeat prescriptions not 6 months meds at the same time.

Yes, that’s what I meant.

I’m in Ireland, not the UK.

Thank you to all that have responded.

Annual blood test is totally normal. Just get it done. No need to speak to the GP.

Yes.

Yes it normal

Yes, that’s normal and nothing to worry about.

some medicines have it in the package leaflet (or the part for dr) that regular blood tests are advised.

I have literally never had any blood tests for HRT. I’ve checked my testosterone myself as I get that on private prescription.
But then again, I’ve never had any over 40 or over 50 check that people talk about

You are wasting time and appointment by asking the doctor to call you, just arrange the blood test.

Completely normal, and good practice

Some blood pressure meds need regular blood testing as they can affect kidneys and/or liver. It's better to find out now if you need to change meds than wait until you start having symptoms. Just have the blood test and cancel the GP call.

What size it you're concerned about that you need to check with the GP?

Get the bloods done.

You're on daily blood pressure medication. It is very normal to have an annual blood test.

Its good practice from your GP and totally normal. No one needs to call you back from the GP, have your bloods done, get a repeat prescription!!

I had this fairly recently. I kept receiving emails telling me they were reviewing my medication (blood pressure) and that I needed a blood test to check my kidneys. I kept putting off because I’m notoriously difficult to get blood from and end up being a pin cushion, so they reduced my medication to one week at a time.
I also had to submit am and pm BP readings for a few days. My medication got tweaked because of this, so just go ahead and get your bloods done.

I’m in Ireland too and this is very usual for meds in general.

Your GP should have explained the procedure regarding your prescriptions better, but it’s so routine that perhaps she thought saying you needed the blood test was enough.

Yes an annual review for regular BP meds is normal. They need to keep an eye on your renal function.

My GP does this too, am also in Ireland. It makes sense to me that they do this, so they are monitoring you.

I have this with my thyroid medication.

This is the same for me. It’s just the GP doing their job and making sure you’re ok.

You need to call your surgery and specifically ask for this review if you want it.