Annual review

[Sadsac@21]

Apologies if this is a pointless question. I have just received an appointment from my GP for an annual review. The appointment is with a GP assistant. My questions are: what should I expect? Will they do tests? Should I take a urine sample? Will they push for me to take medication?
I haven’t seen anyone from the surgery since my diagnosis in January. My repeat hba1c test results I found out myself on the NHS’s app as the nurse only rang in the morning while I was at work.

 

[dancer]

A week before his appointment with the practice nurse for his annual review, my husband has blood taken and provides a urine sample. His results are therefore available for his annual review with the nurse, who also checks his feet. I presumed that all GP practices did the same kind of thing.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

I used to get an annual review with blood and urine taken a couple of weeks before then a discussion with the Diabetes Specialist Nurse.
In these cost cutting times I get my feet checked, weight, blood pressure, etc. and provide a urine sample. Bloods taken at same time.
[It is best to get a sample bottle from the surgery a day or so before so you can take the sample first thing in the morning and then bring it with you.]

I am then told that if there is anything of concern in the results then someone will contact me.
[I can view the results online so I am generally aware of any issues before the surgery rings.]
I do miss my annual chat with the DSN which I found very supportive and informative.

Medication (or not) will depend on your results and any protocols the surgery likes to follow.
If you have any doubts, ask for time to consider and then research the medication and your results.

You are welcome to post your results here for comment.
We cannot diagnose, but we can share personal experience.
Starting out is always a steep learning curve, so don't be afraid to ask loads of questions.

You are also welcome to post your HbA1c results on diagnosis and any subsequent ones so we have an idea of where you are at currently.
There is plenty of friendly help available here.

 

[Hopeful34]

[It is best to get a sample bottle from the surgery a day or so before so you can take the sample first thing in the morning and then bring it with you.]

A lot of surgeries don't give them out now, but chemists usually sell them for a small charge.

 

[Rachox]

A lot of surgeries don't give them out now, but chemists usually sell them for a small charge.

Really? That’s bizarre, if your surgery wants a specimen from you surely they should provide the pot?!

 

[LivingLightly]

Really? That’s bizarre, if your surgery wants a specimen from you surely they should provide the pot?!

Since COVID and the lockdowms, our GP practice has run out of kit intermittently and asked patients to provide specimens in a jam jar or similar lidded container.

Alternatively, as noted above, specimen tubes are available from your local pharmacy for a small charge.

 

[Hopeful34]

Really? That’s bizarre, if your surgery wants a specimen from you surely they should provide the pot?!

I agree, but as @LivingLightly said my surgery said bring it in anything you want
However, my experience was that the hospital lab then, understandably said it was contaminated, so after a couple of times of this happening, I bought some proper sample containers.

 

[KennyA]

Mine's coming up in October, and based on all previous visits:

-I will be weighed and have my blood pressure taken.

-I will have a blood sample taken to establish current HbA1c. My practice has its own machine so I get the result straight away. They will congratulate me on my control. There is usually a further blood sample for a fuller panel of tests, and a urine sample likewise. I always say there will be ketones, because there always are.

-My cholesterol will be what it's always been. I will be offered statins. I will refuse.

-I'll be seen again in six months for an intermediate check, ie no HbA1c etc.

I would strongly advise fasting prior to the tests. Practices used to ask people to do this but most seem to have stopped - I always fast for at least 12 hours and more probably 16-18. My October appointment is 0830 so it will probably be about a 14 hour fast.

 

[dancer]

I agree, but as @LivingLightly said my surgery said bring it in anything you want
However, my experience was that the hospital lab then, understandably said it was contaminated, so after a couple of times of this happening, I bought some proper sample containers.

If I don't have a sample bottle, I use an empty bottle of herbs, washed and dried for my urine sample. I don't use anything which contained sugar, as it could contaminate the sample and affect the result. My husband usually had a sample bottle.

 

[dancer]

If I don't have a sample bottle, I use an empty bottle of herbs, washed and dried for my urine sample. I don't use anything which contained sugar, as it could contaminate the sample and affect the result. My husband usually had a sample bottle.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Worth making sure that you are well hydrated before the tests.
This makes taking the blood sample easier in most cases.
[Also giving the urine sample.]

I have found that upping my fluid intake for a couple of days seems to improve my kidney results, as well.
This suggests that I normally don't drink enough water.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

The appointment is with a GP assistant.

This just caught my eye.
What exactly is a GP assistant?
Presumably not a GP, but I'm not sure that I've seen this exact term before.

 

[Rachox]

This just caught my eye.
What exactly is a GP assistant?
Presumably not a GP, but I'm not sure that I've seen this exact term before.

GP assistants, correct title I think is Physician’s Associate. Here’s what it says on NHS website!

Physician associate

Entry requirements You’ll usually need a bioscience-related first degree to get onto one of the training programmes available. Undergraduate integrated Master of Physician Associate Studies programmes are now available and these courses require A-levels or equivalent for entry. Alternatively, if...

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk

 

[HSSS]

GP assistants, correct title I think is Physician’s Associate. Here’s what it says on NHS website!

Physician associate

Entry requirements You’ll usually need a bioscience-related first degree to get onto one of the training programmes available. Undergraduate integrated Master of Physician Associate Studies programmes are now available and these courses require A-levels or equivalent for entry. Alternatively, if...

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk

It’s usually a HCA (health care assistant) that does my checks, asks the questions on the form, takes possession of a urine sample (or gives me a bottle to hand in on my way out via the toilets!) and gives me the usual eatwell advice, that I choose to ignore, and takes the blood after I consent, or otherwise, to the tests on the form.

I then usually got a follow up phone call from the nurse allocated to type 2 management with the result, that I’ve already looked at on the nhs app. We had a discussion about results and potential actions and having asked about pros, cons and alternatives I decide whether or not I want to follow their suggestions. Medication is always your choice having heard what they have to say.

 

[Daphne917]

I had mine last week which consisted of checking my feet, weight, height, BP and taking bloods. I get given a sample bottle to use the following year which I hand over at my check. I can see my results online which is just as well as I haven’t seen a diabetic nurse since 2021!!

 

[Outlier]

I was stunned to be offered a face-to-face appointment with Nursie to discuss my blood test results this year!! So clearly some surgeries are having a rethink re: protocols. Prior to this I suspect if they could have done the blood test over the phone they would have.