Cholesterol blood tests

I expect it all depends on your GP surgery.So many are now cost cutting.
My own surgery does an annual check up where there’s a blood test, a review of medications, weight and BP check and a chat.

MayBee70

I was due to have a well woman check on Wednesday. Was away from home and there was a message on my landline to say it had been cancelled. They didn't email me so it's lucky that I didn't travel home especially. But I did cancel a covid booster because of it. I did ask if they had my email address and they do have it. I find myself getting angry every time I deal with the surgery which makes me sad as I used to work there and it has changed so much. I've been on iron tablets for months but no one has told me to have another blood test to check if my iron levels have improved. There is a machine at the surgery that checks BP and weight so I monitor that myself. Even repeat prescriptions are a nightmare. I think peoples health problems are just slipping through the net...

I had my well woman check and have been given a b/t form for another cholesterol test, diabetes etc. But when I asked about my iron levels was told that it was the doctor that would have to arrange a b/t for that. Had a phone call this afternoon to say that, having been on iron tablets for several month I don’t need a b/t. I said that when I stop taking them how do I know that my iron levels are ok. They grudgingly said they’d give me a blood test form in a few weeks when the tablets run out.. Am I being unreasonable wanting to know if my iron level is ok without me taking the tablets? I think they’re still only interested in getting me on statins.

Im 77 and get an annual review anything else if Im concerned I get referred to a "clinical pharmacist" who arranges a test and changes any medication if needed. Test results are on my NHS online app with any comments.

I havnt seen a GP for a long time, but I get what I need, the system has changed a lot since Covid

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I was due to have a well woman check on Wednesday. Was away from home and there was a message on my landline to say it had been cancelled. They didn't email me so it's lucky that I didn't travel home especially. But I did cancel a covid booster because of it. I did ask if they had my email address and they do have it. I find myself getting angry every time I deal with the surgery which makes me sad as I used to work there and it has changed so much. I've been on iron tablets for months but no one has told me to have another blood test to check if my iron levels have improved. There is a machine at the surgery that checks BP and weight so I monitor that myself. Even repeat prescriptions are a nightmare. I think peoples health problems are just slipping through the net...

We had a surprise this morning the nurse called DH he has a check up on Thursday.

I sympathise, Granatlast, and agree that it shouldn't be up to patients to check their own results, etc. I'm afraid I've learnt the hard way (more than once) that patients have to be pro-active. I even have it written on my records that I get angry (too bl**dy right I get angry), but at least I'm relatively fit and well. As with most towns, the population has increased, but I don't think that's the whole story. The service offered by GP has been deteriorating here for over 10 years. I think it's more to do with the way GPs are funded and the non-medical tasks they are required to do. There is lack of consistency and continuity of care even within the same practice.

Thanks for the kind thoughts Twaddle the point about the scan I am now awaiting is that last August, the scan results were assessed as 'normal' by a different GP despite being way over what a quick Google search showed as abnormal. The GP receptionists are dragons and I've had other health problems so I didn't chase this one up, I may live to regret it.

Since being diagnosed with a rare immune disorder in 2018, I get monitored every year and I've become an 'expert' at the NHS APP and medical research in general, I used to work in a university medical unit anyway so I know the field.

I don’t think it's OK to expect people to check their own results or to remember what tests they might need and request them. The NHS is in an appalling state. We've had a vast influx of people into our, supposedly sought after, small town since lockdown and the GPs are overwhelmed. If I had medical insurance now I would absolutely use it.

Granatlast007

Gummie

Don't see the point in going private when we have an NHS service. Speak to your GP or surgery direct and talk to them about your concerns. I'm on statins and they call me for a blood test every year. For my BP I have to send them a weeks report every 6 months. Does the job.

Well you're very lucky Gummie, when people put up self referenced posts like yours, it's good to know where you live because many of us, especially in the south east and south west now find that 6 weeks is standard for a GP appointment and that may well be a telephone call. Face to face visits are rarely available anymore.
I'm a bit worried myself having just discovered that a test done last August should have been followed up, the slightly panicky GP has just put through an urgent scan for me. I used to have private healthcare and I jolly well wish I had it now.

I have blood tests every six months or every year (depending on how "normal" they've been). The GP doesn't do them and rarely responds to them, so the patient isn't taking up a GP appointment. They're usually done by a healthcare assistant or, sometimes, a nurse.

If you have the NHS app or the GP's own app, you can check the results yourself. It's not difficult to find out what they mean and whether any follow up is needed.

Granatlast Really hope you’re ok. It’s worrying that we have to be constantly on the ball these days, to manage our health.
We used to have private health care through my DH job, I wish we’d have kept it going now too.

Gummie

Don't see the point in going private when we have an NHS service. Speak to your GP or surgery direct and talk to them about your concerns. I'm on statins and they call me for a blood test every year. For my BP I have to send them a weeks report every 6 months. Does the job.

Well you're very lucky Gummie, when people put up self referenced posts like yours, it's good to know where you live because many of us, especially in the south east and south west now find that 6 weeks is standard for a GP appointment and that may well be a telephone call. Face to face visits are rarely available anymore.
I'm a bit worried myself having just discovered that a test done last August should have been followed up, the slightly panicky GP has just put through an urgent scan for me. I used to have private healthcare and I jolly well wish I had it now.

You can have you BP checked at any pharmacy or you can put an app on your phone to check it it really isn’t necessary to be checked by a doctor.
Men certainly have every right to have a prostrate check up if they are at all worried and should make waves about that one .

Erica23, your friend's husband should go back to his GP surgery and insist on a prostate test. It is every man's right. Prostate cancer is notorious for not causing many symptoms until it's well-established and treatment may be too late.

I thought testing was the way forward to find things before they cause a problem. My friend’s DH has asked for a prostate blood test, as he is having some symptoms and was told a firm no, not enough evidence to suggest it would help.
It seems like we have to look after ourselves now.

I wondered why I hadn't been contacted for several years by my practice. I phone to enquire and was told that it was up to me to request routine blood tests. Shame nobody ever told me I needed to.

Well that’s a mixed bag so far. I’m also concerned about his Bp being checked, men, including mine are notoriously bad at visiting the Gp, suppose it’s a generational thing. We have our own monitor but not sure how good it is, and he’s very reluctant for me to check it for him, he would never dream of doing it himself.
I think a three yearly check would be better, especially over 70.

Don't see the point in going private when we have an NHS service. Speak to your GP or surgery direct and talk to them about your concerns. I'm on statins and they call me for a blood test every year. For my BP I have to send them a weeks report every 6 months. Does the job.

mokryna

Personally, I would go private.

I am 76 and at my yearly visit to my French gynecologist, she told me that I didn’t have to have the biannual Pap test, however, she offered and I took it up.

I do have health insurance, as most people have here and I feel that if I can spend my money to take extra care of myself I will.

I wouldn't go private as I've paid into the NHS all my working life and can't see the point of paying twice.

I would just make more inquiries as to why this decision has been made and why they think it isn't needed.

The blood test will be the same whether you pay or or not.

we are both over 80 and still are offered a yearly check

Personally, I would go private.

I am 76 and at my yearly visit to my French gynecologist, she told me that I didn’t have to have the biannual Pap test, however, she offered and I took it up.

I do have health insurance, as most people have here and I feel that if I can spend my money to take extra care of myself I will.

So should we all only MOT our cars every few years to save money? Seems to me that it’s a cost cutting exercise that will end up costing more in the long term. A friend of mine had a BP check at a local pharmacy (no symptoms, just happened to be there and decided to have one done) and next thing she knew she was in hospital being treated for dangerously high BP and she’s now on medication to control it.

I think it is usual now unless you have had a stroke or heart attack or take a lot of other medication. I phoned and was told as I was on a low maintenance dose I didn’t need a test

If his annual checks haven’t raised any concerns, it makes sense to me to increase the gap between checks. Otherwise it’s taking up precious surgery time for no reason. He can still see a GP if he’s getting any new symptoms. I only go to the dentist once a year now rather than twice, which suits us both.

If someone is taking medication for high blood pressure it counts as as having a long term illness and you should be offered annual checks.