Hi Katharine or any other doctor reading this....
I'm just wondering if you could explain what kind of guidance NHS GPs follow and what kind of education GPs get with regards to testing for vitamin/mineral deficiencies.
I'm thinking specifically about testing for things like 25-OH Vit D (often low in those with autoimmune disease), red cell magnesium (often low in diabetics), low Vit B1 (deficiencies seen in diabetics).
Do GPs have access to these kinds of tests or are they outside of the scope of GPs' budgets? Is budget the main factor preventing more of these tests from being carried out or is it lack of training/interest on the part of doctors about the imporance of minerals and vitamins for diseased people?
It's my understanding (from reading Netdoctor and GPnotebook) that NHS doctors think that mineral/vitamin deficiencies only occur in people with poor diets or people who avoid the sun.
However, if mineral/vit deficiencies are known to commonly occur in certain diseased populations eg. diabetics, wouldn't it be beneficial to test and treat these deficiencies?
Thanks
Goji
Ps. I have paid to have some of these tests and was shown to be deficient in spite of a healthy/balanced diet and plenty of sun-lounging. I just wonder how much other diabetics are missing out on things that could be quite easily tested for and treated.
I'm just wondering if you could explain what kind of guidance NHS GPs follow and what kind of education GPs get with regards to testing for vitamin/mineral deficiencies.
I'm thinking specifically about testing for things like 25-OH Vit D (often low in those with autoimmune disease), red cell magnesium (often low in diabetics), low Vit B1 (deficiencies seen in diabetics).
Do GPs have access to these kinds of tests or are they outside of the scope of GPs' budgets? Is budget the main factor preventing more of these tests from being carried out or is it lack of training/interest on the part of doctors about the imporance of minerals and vitamins for diseased people?
It's my understanding (from reading Netdoctor and GPnotebook) that NHS doctors think that mineral/vitamin deficiencies only occur in people with poor diets or people who avoid the sun.
However, if mineral/vit deficiencies are known to commonly occur in certain diseased populations eg. diabetics, wouldn't it be beneficial to test and treat these deficiencies?
Thanks
Goji
Ps. I have paid to have some of these tests and was shown to be deficient in spite of a healthy/balanced diet and plenty of sun-lounging. I just wonder how much other diabetics are missing out on things that could be quite easily tested for and treated.
