Two days no dr call

[woollygal]

Ok so Friday dr didn’t call but sent a text to say numbers were fine. Today still hasn’t called.
I know my numbers are fine but she hasn’t a clue as to the history behind them which I don’t think is fine.
I think tomorrow I’ll ring up and just get another dr to call me. I’m not putting my health at risk because my dr can’t be bothered to talk to me.
I know they are busy but that doesn’t excuse ignoring requests for calls.
I guess all I need is the c peptide test so any dr can organise that can’t they.

 

[ert]

Ok so Friday dr didn’t call but sent a text to say numbers were fine. Today still hasn’t called.
I know my numbers are fine but she hasn’t a clue as to the history behind them which I don’t think is fine.
I think tomorrow I’ll ring up and just get another dr to call me. I’m not putting my health at risk because my dr can’t be bothered to talk to me.
I know they are busy but that doesn’t excuse ignoring requests for calls.
I guess all I need is the c peptide test so any dr can organise that can’t they.

You usually need a referral to a specialist. c-peptide tests are not done at the GP surgery under standard blood tests or interpreted by a GP. Do you need to ask if you qualify for a referral pathway? A common pathway referral is very high blood sugars not responding to medication and your BMI is below 25. If you don't qualify then you may want to consider paying to go private.

 

[Ronancastled]

I asked my surgery nurse for a C-peptide or fasting insulin test with my last lab bloods, said she'd never heard of them. Level of training seems lacking at GP level.

 

[ert]

I asked my surgery nurse for a C-peptide or fasting insulin test with my last lab bloods, said she'd never heard of them. Level of training seems lacking at GP level.

Type 1, where your body no longer produces insulin, is managed by a specialist team rather than a GP. What amuses me, is the reality it's actually managed by us, with just a DAFNE course or bertieonline training if we're lucky, with a routine chat with your specialist every 6 months to a year. My GP, with vastly more medical training than I have, just refers everything and doesn't manage my diabetes at all.

 

[Tophat1900]

I asked my surgery nurse for a C-peptide or fasting insulin test with my last lab bloods, said she'd never heard of them. Level of training seems lacking at GP level.

My GP had never heard of it also, I had to explain it to him, but he had no problem with getting it done. Though things are probably a bit different here in Australia in terms of what can get done with blood tests.

 

[oldgreymare]

Ok so Friday dr didn’t call but sent a text to say numbers were fine. Today still hasn’t called.
I know my numbers are fine but she hasn’t a clue as to the history behind them which I don’t think is fine.
I think tomorrow I’ll ring up and just get another dr to call me. I’m not putting my health at risk because my dr can’t be bothered to talk to me.
I know they are busy but that doesn’t excuse ignoring requests for calls.
I guess all I need is the c peptide test so any dr can organise that can’t they.

I had my annual DSN check-up at my GPs a few weeks ago, including a blood draw for the usual diabetes blood panel (HbAC1, liver, kidney and blood cell levels, etc). I mentioned that at my last endo visit, he recommended redoing c-peptide and GAD Ab tests. So the DSN checked my records in the system and added these tests. She was familiar with the c peptide test, but we both ended up searching the surgery's database for the identifier for the GAD Ab test. All blood tests are analysed by the local University Trust NHS labs and reported back to the diabetes specialist group and to my GP. I usually can view results online about 1-2 days after review by specialists/GPs. c peptide result took about 2 weeks although the lab test turnaround is 24 hours.

Anyway, if you can get approved for a c peptide test the blood draw can be done @ your GPs. But interpretation will need to be done by a specialist.

 

[woollygal]

I had my annual DSN check-up at my GPs a few weeks ago, including a blood draw for the usual diabetes blood panel (HbAC1, liver, kidney and blood cell levels, etc). I mentioned that at my last endo visit, he recommended redoing c-peptide and GAD Ab tests. So the DSN checked my records in the system and added these tests. She was familiar with the c peptide test, but we both ended up searching the surgery's database for the identifier for the GAD Ab test. All blood tests are analysed by the local University Trust NHS labs and reported back to the diabetes specialist group and to my GP. I usually can view results online about 1-2 days after review by specialists/GPs. c peptide result took about 2 weeks although the lab test turnaround is 24 hours.

Anyway, if you can get approved for a c peptide test the blood draw can be done @ your GPs. But interpretation will need to be done by a specialist.

My dr is a diabetes dr (brain isn’t working enough to think if proper term lol)
I’m not under anyone other than the dr and nurse.

 

[oldgreymare]

My dr is a diabetes dr (brain isn’t working enough to think if proper term lol)
I’m not under anyone other than the dr and nurse.

So if your GP practice has dedicated partners and nurses that focus on diabetes (not all practices do), it is worth asking if they can order directly a c peptide test without referral to a hospital endocrinology unit. Of course getting them to agree that it is needed at this point is another matter.

But remember the squeaky wheel gets the oil so persevere asking!

 

[woollygal]

So if your GP practice has dedicated partners and nurses that focus on diabetes (not all practices do), it is worth asking if they can order directly a c peptide test without referral to a hospital endocrinology unit. Of course getting them to agree that it is needed at this point is another matter.

But remember the squeaky wheel gets the oil so persevere asking!

Will do.
Well they run diabetic clinics and my dr and nurse are the ones who run them. apparently dr didn’t call anyone yesterday so they are today. Fingers crossed I’ll get a call. Can’t abide sitting by phones that don’t ring

 

[HSSS]

Doesn’t your surgery do econsult? mine are pretty good with them. You get a prescription, appointment, message or call within a day or so usually depending what it is.

You can ask the questions on the form or simply ask them to ring to discuss your diabetes concerns and struggles without going into detail which means they have to call to ask details.

 

[woollygal]

Doesn’t your surgery do econsult? mine are pretty good with them. You get a prescription, appointment, message or call within a day or so usually depending what it is.

You can ask the questions on the form or simply ask them to ring to discuss your diabetes concerns and struggles without going into detail which means they have to call to ask details.

I tried this morning but I couldn’t work it out. Im
Not sure it would be any different to receptionist putting you down for a call. Dr texted this afternoon for more info on my query. So they get round it.
I’m not sure if that is just a pass the buck thing if well patient has been contacted, or if she will read message today and ring or read it and decide it’s not urgent anc ignore! I’m glad it’s the Easter weekend so I get three days off from waiting for calls.
After that if she doesn’t call today no Ida what to do next. Assuming the message she asked for gets read I’ve told her.

 

[searley]

I tried this morning but I couldn’t work it out. Im
Not sure it would be any different to receptionist putting you down for a call. Dr texted this afternoon for more info on my query. So they get round it.
I’m not sure if that is just a pass the buck thing if well patient has been contacted, or if she will read message today and ring or read it and decide it’s not urgent anc ignore! I’m glad it’s the Easter weekend so I get three days off from waiting for calls.
After that if she doesn’t call today no Ida what to do next. Assuming the message she asked for gets read I’ve told her.

It’s quite different as you actually get to say what you want rather than what the receptionist notes…. Some of my best results have started from an econsult and it normally gets forwarded to the right gp at the practice and normally gets a reasonable response time

 

[woollygal]

It’s quite different as you actually get to say what you want rather than what the receptionist notes…. Some of my best results have started from an econsult and it normally gets forwarded to the right gp at the practice and normally gets a reasonable response time

I’ll try that next week then I fit his doesn’t work. I did tell her exactly my concerns in the reply form attached to the text message.
The cynical part of me thinks that her sending the text means that in terms of deadlines the practice can tick me off as having been dealt with as they sent me a message but means they don’t have to call

 

[searley]

I’ll try that next week then I fit his doesn’t work. I did tell her exactly my concerns in the reply form attached to the text message.
The cynical part of me thinks that her sending the text means that in terms of deadlines the practice can tick me off as having been dealt with as they sent me a message but means they don’t have to call

Exactly the text is the response…. I have had texts from the gp in the past and that’s normally considered the end unless they are asking a wuestion

 

[woollygal]

Exactly the text is the response…. I have had texts from the gp in the past and that’s normally considered the end unless they are asking a wuestion

Yea, she apologised that they were so busy due to the vaccinations and then asked if she could have mor win fo on my query. I gave her the info on the reply form. So I’m assuming it’s now considered dealt with. I purposely wrote that I wanted extra tests and that I wanted a conversation with her, so there shouldn’t be any doubt that I don’t consider the text an ending. But who knows.
I know they are busy but I’d rather get this sorted before I get back to work. It’s hard enough getting to speak to dr when I’m home all day. Add in driving lessons and it becomes a blooming nightmare

 

[oldgreymare]

Yea, she apologised that they were so busy due to the vaccinations and then asked if she could have mor win fo on my query. I gave her the info on the reply form. So I’m assuming it’s now considered dealt with. I purposely wrote that I wanted extra tests and that I wanted a conversation with her, so there shouldn’t be any doubt that I don’t consider the text an ending. But who knows.
I know they are busy but I’d rather get this sorted before I get back to work. It’s hard enough getting to speak to dr when I’m home all day. Add in driving lessons and it becomes a blooming nightmare

I think emphasise to your GP that you need their input re your back to work status asap. That should also help them prioritise you in their assessment queues for fitness to work.

 

[woollygal]

I think emphasise to your GP that you need their input re your back to work status asap. That should also help them prioritise you in their assessment queues for fitness to work.

Thanks I’ll add that in. I doubt I’ll get a call now.
What’s frustrating is they say diabetes is a huge toll on nhs resources yet when you try your best to look after it and stop problems you can’t get anywhere. I know covid is not helping but still seems counterproductive

 

[woollygal]

No call but did get a text from DR. She said they can’t test for antibodies in primary care but she is happy with my levels!
But she wants to test me for menopause. I don’t know if that could be the reason why I am not losing weight or if it could be reason why sugars haven’t done much!

laughably she finished message saying once bloods have been done to call them and get an online call appt with her the dr. like it’s not taken me a week

 

[HSSS]

No call but did get a text from DR. She said they can’t test for antibodies in primary care but she is happy with my levels!
But she wants to test me for menopause. I don’t know if that could be the reason why I am not losing weight or if it could be reason why sugars haven’t done much!

laughably she finished message saying once bloods have been done to call them and get an online call appt with her the dr. like it’s not taken me a week

C peptide is not antibodies. It’s an indirect measure of insulin production. Please tell me she’s ignoring this not failing to realise this. Menopause might be the weight issue but doesn’t answer the bgl. She might be happy with your levels but you aren’t and it’s your body. Sadly unless you can get a referral to someone who will investigate further it might be that you need to go private for this test. Others here have and might be able to guide you where and approximate costs.

 

[searley]

No call but did get a text from DR. She said they can’t test for antibodies in primary care but she is happy with my levels!
But she wants to test me for menopause. I don’t know if that could be the reason why I am not losing weight or if it could be reason why sugars haven’t done much!

laughably she finished message saying once bloods have been done to call them and get an online call appt with her the dr. like it’s not taken me a week

Do the bloods then get the appointment atleast they have agreed an appointment then you can discuss concerns further

As above cpeptide is not an antibody. It is a molecule that is released attached to the insulin so by counting the cpeptide molecules gives an exact amount of insulin produced

However i never has a cpeptide test issued by a gp it was always requested by my consultant