Refused blood test due to perceived inaccuracy of test meters

STARRYNIGHTS said:

I recommend Thriva for private tests!
I just got one done and it was 50% off the first test and covered: HBA1C, full cholesterol, vit D, vit b12, liver function, folate and iron!
I thought it was great value as the other hba1c private test I found online was £50, and the cholesterol was £30, so i got alot more done, for alot less!
I chose the advanced package.
I was diagnosed pre-diabetic with and hba1c of 42 last dec, got it down to 35 by next test in march with a whole food plant based diet, no oil, and the doctor said he'd erase it off my record if i got it down enough, which he did, so the next test i didn't want to risk a bad result, and get that back on my record so got it done privately!
https://thriva.co/i/WFGY0G630ES

Click to expand...

What would be on your record, an HbA1c of 42? That's not a diagnosis of diabetes so what is the worry? Just wondering.

well, if test meters are so wildly inaccurate, all the type 1's are doomed !!!!

Hi Hampshire Lad,
You could get an appointment with your diabetic nurse. Tell her your worries when you see her and test your blood on her BG meter and your meter at the same time.

Then use the difference as a calibration percentage.
If your meter reads 11 and diabetic nurses meter reads 10. You can assume your meter is 10% high, or it could be low which is worse still!
With the figures you get you may have to do a little more simple maths.

Surgery meters are calibrated regularly or should be in a proper health care system.

regards
Derek

I saw an episode of the Simpsons where Homer goes to the dentist. There was a sign that said "No matter how you brush your teeth; your doing it wrong" perhaps your doctor also needs a sign on their door.

STARRYNIGHTS said:

I recommend Thriva for private tests!
I just got one done and it was 50% off the first test and covered: HBA1C, full cholesterol, vit D, vit b12, liver function, folate and iron!

Click to expand...

That's worth knowing. Cheers.

Bluetit1802 said:

I have never seen a doctor for diabetes - not once. I was given my diagnosis by a nurse and have seen her ever since. Nowadays it is just once a year. The 6 monthly blood tests I have are automatic. I get a computer generated letter asking me to make an appointment at the blood clinic, and when I arrive, the phlebotomist has the green blood test form already filled in. My results are on-line the next day. I then make an appointment to see the nurse once a year. I imagine that if my blood tests showed something amiss, I would get a phone call, but so far so good.

Click to expand...

They seem a lot more organised where you are. One doctor told me always chase things up, you can't rely on us to remind you!

STARRYNIGHTS said:

I recommend Thriva for private tests!
I just got one done and it was 50% off the first test and covered: HBA1C, full cholesterol, vit D, vit b12, liver function, folate and iron!
I thought it was great value as the other hba1c private test I found online was £50, and the cholesterol was £30, so i got alot more done, for alot less!
I chose the advanced package.
I was diagnosed pre-diabetic with and hba1c of 42 last dec, got it down to 35 by next test in march with a whole food plant based diet, no oil, and the doctor said he'd erase it off my record if i got it down enough, which he did, so the next test i didn't want to risk a bad result, and get that back on my record so got it done privately!
https://thriva.co/i/WFGY0G630ES

Click to expand...

This sounds useful, I might do a one off advanced test. I see from their instructions and video that you aren't told to fast for 10 hours before testing though. Wouldn't that be necessary for an accurate HbA1c or cholesterol result?

Hampshire_Lad said:

Hi,
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 9 months ago and my last HBA1C blood test was 3 months ago and around the 50 mark.

I've been testing my blood glucose levels before and after meals, but recently the results have been higher than normal in the 9s and 10s. I've also been feeling a lot more tired than usual so I asked my DRs surgery if I could have a blood test. The reply I got was "No, you had one 3 months ago and you have to wait another 3 months for another as they are half yearly"

When I mentioned that my Codefree BG meter had been giving me high readings the Dr told me not to rely on it, as test meters are more often than not inaccurate and cause needless worry to people. He then advised not to use one.

Has anyone else on here been given advice like that at all? Can patients be refused blood tests do you think or should I ask for a second opinion? And are test meters a waste of time as the Dr implied?
Thanks.

Click to expand...

Morning, as you asked, if I were in same shoes, firstly, I would get second opinion. Secondly, in the meantime I would suggest you invest in A1CNOW test at home, yes you have to fork out for this, but for peace of mind, whist the system sorts itself out and decides hopefully to give you a 2nd A1C refused, and or receive 2nd opinion, you can do a little test in the comfort of your own home, is such a great device I have one, and has proved accurate against my normal lab test. All you have to do is prick your finger, same as finger testing, place suction cap to obtain the blood put the top on shake it well 6 times, let stand on table, open up the A1CNow test monitor, place in the cartridge, open top with blood content, when monitor tells you, quickly in and out place the blood cap, it tells you if all OK, dont touch, just wait 5 mins and your result of home test A1C comes up.

Just a suggestion, this may give you peace of mind, well worth to spend a little monies in the interim for this, whilst you get some support and advices regards your situation.

Re meters testing, seems its become more and more a common practice to say, finger testing using meters is not worth it, why I dont know, they push the A1C as the GOLD STANDARD, but it has flaws! America dont view it as SUPERIOR to finger tests, they use both! Australia only use A1C as a tool only not on medicare last time I contacted them, they use finger testing also the two together. Its one of those situations, some say necessary continue and others say, dont bother.

Hope within assists and good luck to get it sorted out, I am surprised they would not do a 2nd test.