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Can I ask for a blood test

Donnadoobie

Donnadoobie

Well-Known Member
Messages
157
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Last year I had 3 HBA1c tests. Two in March and one in October, together with a cholesterol test. Because it is showing as pre diabetes I do not need to have another until October this year.

I have been following the Blood Sugar Diet for the past 5 weeks and feel I would like to have my bloods taken again. They will not do blood tests unless requested by the GP, can I ask them for one? Not sure if I am entitled.
 
I've never been denied one, but you need a pretty good reason and evidence to back it up. They won't want to waste resources.
 
There is no harm in asking, but I suppose it depends on the "rules" your Practice follows. You can have a private test done, but of course you have to pay for this.
 
Think I'll just book an appointment and discuss with my GP, she has always been very supportive.
 
Donnadoobie said:
Think I'll just book an appointment and discuss with my GP, she has always been very supportive.
Click to expand...

Or just ask for a telephone consultation. That might be quicker.

I'd have your reason for asking ready though, because if I were your Doc, I'd want to know why you wanted me to spend precious NHS monies. Like others, I've never been declined a request, but nearing completion of the 8-week plan, I might be inclined to say I'd been trialling something and just want to make sure things are moving in the right direction.

Good luck.
 
Yes, they seem quite stable, fasting always in 5's now and the same with daytime ones, some low sixes after meals. I am never sure how accurate home monitors are however and the SD Code Free is said to read slightly high, so would like to get a test just to see that I am heading in the right direction.
 
I just rang my surgery and asked the receptionist if i could get an HbA1c test and a lipid panel ( the receptionist didn't seem to have a clue what either of those were - surely they are pretty common - maybe they were new?!) I said I'd been trialling diet and exercise to reduce my blood sugar as I'd been diagnosed pre-diabetic and wanted to check everything was going ok. She asked the doctor and I just had to then go in and pick up a form as they send us to the local hospital for blood tests. I was using the SD code free too and it seems to give reasonably consistent results with my mum's which is a different sort. Good news was HbA1c was 35! And despite total cholesterol rising slightly it was due to an increase in HDL which they seem to like so I just got the response 'No Action to be taken' when I rang for results (when last time I actually saw the doc she wanted me on met and statins!) Just disappointed I didn't get to go see her and tell her how it was done - maybe it could have helped other of her patients.
Your readings sound excellent and i'd say finish the diet and then ask for the test which should confirm the improvements.
 
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