Blood Tests - What can I get checked

RentDayBlues · 14-10-2008 9:44am #1

I get routine blood tests done for a thyroid condition and normally just go in and tell the nurse what I want tested. This time I want to get a full screening done which will mean about 8 tests - can I just ask for this or will I need to speak with a doctor first?

tallaght01 · 14-10-2008 1:55pm

I guess you should speak to whoever will have to interpret your results.

It's a really bad idea to do bloods if you're not looking for something in particular, and if you have no plan about what to do if there's an abnormal result.

A very common thing to be told when you're junior doctor asking your senior what to do about an unexpected abnormal result is "what did you do the test for?? You shouldn't have done it".

RentDayBlues · 14-10-2008 2:03pm

Thanks for the reply. The tests are all related to my condition, just not my routine ones. I just wanted to check if as a patient I am free to request all these tests or do I need to get my doctor to do it.

Tree · 14-10-2008 10:21pm

Your doctor has to request tests.

RentDayBlues · 15-10-2008 8:23am

Thanks to all, got all the tests I wanted done this morning - did not have to speak to the doctor at all

cltt97 · 22-10-2008 8:55am

How did you do that? I usually get one of these green forms where the GP writes down what to test and I go into phlebotomy in James's with that. I've never tried asking for anything else, but I'd be surprised if they did anything in excess of what was requested by my GP

Blood Tests - What can I get checked

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