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Vit D tests not available anymore

donnellysdogs

donnellysdogs

Master
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13,231
Location
Northampton
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Pump
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People that can't listen to other people's opinions.
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My consultant requested a vitamin d test.

This is the response:

Population screening by measurement of vitamin d levels is unecessary, even in high risk populations.
Please see the National Osteoporsis Society guidelines on vitamin d and health.
Www.nos.org.uk/document.doc?id=1352
Please note Alfacalcidiol is NOT detected by this assay.

So it's recognised that diabetics may have low vitamin d levels and they are no longer allowing testing?

Anybody else had this trouble or request refused?
 
No, I haven't been to my GP since August and didn't ask for one then.

It's crazy. :(So now there could be a risk of more people getting osteoporosis and needing treatment for broken bones! Oh well, at last an advantage to being seriously obese - weight bearing exercise increases bone density - and boy do I have a lot of weight to bear! See how much money I am saving the NHS by being so fat ;):)
 
Those guidelines were only for osteoporosis so if a doctor wants a vitamin D test for other reasons, who's to stop him or her?
 
Totto said:
Those guidelines were only for osteoporosis so if a doctor wants a vitamin D test for other reasons, who's to stop him or her?
Click to expand...

The lab refused to test....the Consultant requested....and they can refuse...
 
Mine was requested with all my normal hba1c, full blood, cholesterol, b12, folate etc.
The consultants do not specify that this is for diabetes... The ref is to high risk populations not even being entitled.... The advice seems to have the ref of osteoporosis only...
 
donnellysdogs said:
My consultant requested a vitamin d test.

This is the response:

Population screening by measurement of vitamin d levels is unecessary, even in high risk populations.
Please see the National Osteoporsis Society guidelines on vitamin d and health.
Www.nos.org.uk/document.doc?id=1352
Please note Alfacalcidiol is NOT detected by this assay.

So it's recognised that diabetics may have low vitamin d levels and they are no longer allowing testing?

Anybody else had this trouble or request refused?
Click to expand...
Yes recently , no more testing for vitamin D but GP did suggest to buy some....not GP,s fault
 
Kat100 said:
Yes recently , no more testing for vitamin D but GP did suggest to buy some....not GP,s fault
Click to expand...

Thought it might have been just our labs..(hoped).. As our CCG are only ones to replacing pumps at 4 years thought they may be only ones to stop vit d tests...

Thats not good as low vit d is again low for a lot of population due to previous advice of covering up in the sun, heavy sunscreens etc..I suppose because being low in it isn't life threatening...
 
donnellysdogs said:
My consultant requested a vitamin d test.

This is the response:

Population screening by measurement of vitamin d levels is unecessary, even in high risk populations.
Please see the National Osteoporsis Society guidelines on vitamin d and health.
Www.nos.org.uk/document.doc?id=1352
Please note Alfacalcidiol is NOT detected by this assay.

So it's recognised that diabetics may have low vitamin d levels and they are no longer allowing testing?

Anybody else had this trouble or request refused?
Click to expand...
No longer available on the NHS, a sign of further cutbacks. http://vitamindtest.org.uk/index.html if you fancy splashing out the dosh. Sadly, I've become desensitised to what I have to fork out for because I fork out for most things including the Vit. D test I had last year. I suppose I shouldn't forget the BG test strips, my new knee . . . . . . . . . . Perhaps they are privatizing the Health Service bit by bit. You'll not get into A&E without a credit card that isn't maxed out before you know it.
 
graj0 said:
No longer available on the NHS, a sign of further cutbacks. http://vitamindtest.org.uk/index.html if you fancy splashing out the dosh. Sadly, I've become desensitised to what I have to fork out for because I fork out for most things including the Vit. D test I had last year. I suppose I shouldn't forget the BG test strips, my new knee . . . . . . . . . . Perhaps they are privatizing the Health Service bit by bit. You'll not get into A&E without a credit card that isn't maxed out before you know it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link.. I will buy my own!! I am pretty appalled.
If I was low, I am assuming that the GP and consultant would ignore the test results and would have to decide how much and what to do myself??
 
I have Osteoporosis, I was tested for this because I was just diagnosed with Coeliacs and I take medication.
 
donnellysdogs said:
Thought it might have been just our labs..(hoped).. As our CCG are only ones to replacing pumps at 4 years thought they may be only ones to stop vit d tests...

Thats not good as low vit d is again low for a lot of population due to previous advice of covering up in the sun, heavy sunscreens etc..I suppose because being low in it isn't life threatening...
Click to expand...
Good for the immune system ....Holland and barret ....will have to look out for the offers ...
 
I know @iHs had a vit d test at some point... I think this is a recent stoppage...
 
Robinredbreast said:
I have Osteoporosis, I was tested for this because I was just diagnosed with Coeliacs and I take medication.
Click to expand...
Same here. I am prescribed Calcichew D3 Forte tablets. Last blood test was June 2014. Also get a DEXA bone density scan every 2 years
 
I was mis-diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, it was only after my own research and being sent to an endocrinologist with possible cushings, that I asked for a vitamin D test. Everything else was coming back negative.

If I hadn't been tested I would still be sleepwalking through life (well it wouldn't be much of a life) forever tired and exhausted.

I haven't had a test for three years, and keep taking the Calcichew D3 Forte that I am prescribed as I don't want to feel that way again.
 
robert72 said:
Same here. I am prescribed Calcichew D3 Forte tablets. Last blood test was June 2014. Also get a DEXA bone density scan every 2 years
Click to expand...
Every two years, I thought it was longer. If that's correct then I should be due one soon then. I now have to take Adcal -D3 as this was changed by the medical centre, and Alendronic, the once a week pill( which I forgot to take this week) :oops:
 
Robinredbreast said:
Every two years, I thought it was longer. If that's correct then I should be due one soon then. I now have to take Adcal -D3 as this was changed by the medical centre, and Alendronic, the once a week pill( which I forgot to take this week) :oops:
Click to expand...
I had my first DEXA in 2011 after I was diagnosed coeliac. Then again in 2013. They said my osteoporosis had improved from worst 1 in 100 people to worst 1 in 20, so keep taking the tablets ;) It's possible they might have different schedules depending on severity.
 
Actually Robert we seem to have the same auto immune conditions, with Lichen Planus as well :wideyed: Do you take Alendronic too or something similar as well as Calcium and Vitamin D tablets ?
 
Robinredbreast said:
Actually Robert we seem to have the same auto immune conditions, with Lichen Planus as well :wideyed: Do you take Alendronic too or something similar as well as Calcium and Vitamin D tablets ?
Click to expand...
No I don't take that one - that's to stop bone cell turnover I think. I seem to recall there was some downside to taking that, but can't remember what.

Yes we do have the same auto-immune conditions.
 
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