How long for smear results?

RhubarbCrumble

Not quite sure where to put this, so hope here is okay. I had a smear test done over five weeks ago and haven't heard anything back yet. I asked the nurse on the day how long it took and she said I should get a letter in about three weeks.
Is anyone else waiting on results? I'm a bit anxious about it now. If I don't hear anything by the weekend I think I'll go back to the nurse on Monday.

Fizzlesque

It took almost seven weeks for my letter with my results to arrive. Someone recently told me that nowadays the tests are sent to America and that's why they take so much longer than they used to. I don't know if that's true but, like yourself, I was getting worried about the long delay and thought it meant something was wrong but then the letter finally arrived and all was well. Hopefully your letter arrives in the next week or so and all is well for you too.

Toto Wolfcastle

Mine took longer than that recently and it came came back normal. Try not to worry.

Neyite

I think my results took so long that I forgot they were due.

Your GP normally should have a record so maybe check with them to see if they got notification?

Midnight Sundance

Pretty sure mine too longer than 3 weeks. As another poster has said, they've to go to America first.,pretty unbelievable but apparently so.
Best of luck, I know it can be a worry waiting but even if something is abnormal don't panic as they are extremely thorough and don't take any chances.

notsoyoungwan

I had one recently and it took almost 7 weeks get the result.

irishgirl19

Got one last week and doc told me 5 weeks.
That being said I got one last year and it took so long I had forgotten all about it by the time the letter came around

unknowngirl!!

My results were bad news and I got a phone call from my GP first. She was sent a letter and she called me to go in to her to discuss them.

Try not to worry until you hear something and if it's bad news it's not the end of the world.

witchgirl26

I had mine a few weeks back & was told normally a month but could be up to two months based on how busy. I was told if it goes longer than 2 months, let the GP/nurse know because it could be a case of the results being lost in the post.

charlietheminxx

I think it was 6 weeks I was waiting last year. No harm in following up if you're stressed but it's not an unusual amount of time to wait.

Lia_lia

Mine took longer than usual this time. Was done in February. Took about 7 weeks. Three years ago it only took about 3 weeks. All okay thankfully!

Also, this time I never got the letter with results sent to my house, it was sent to the doctors office. I dunno is that just the way they do it at my doctors office.

RhubarbCrumble

Thanks everyone. Most people here seem to be saying 6-7 weeks, so I'll see what happens in the next week or two.

ShaShaBear

I had one done 3 years ago that was abnormal - got a call from the doctor just over a fortnight after I had it done. Fell pregnant before I was due my repeat, so had to delay it. Had the second one done 2 years ago, took 8 weeks to come back and was normal. They do generally tend to rush out bad news (for obvious reasons, time is of the essence), so I wouldn't worry just yet!

sashafierce

This post has been deleted.

miamee

I just had one last week and the docotr said about 4 weeks, glad I read this thread now in case they are delayed.

RhubarbCrumble

Results arrived this morning. All fine thank God. I was pretty anxious. Thanks to everyone for the reassurance. Took 6 1/2 weeks for results, just for anybody else who is waiting.

Zelda247

Do they tell you the results in the letter?

ShaShaBear

Zelda247 wrote: »

Do they tell you the results in the letter?

Yes. The letter your doctor will get (if there is something wrong) will be more detailed than yours. The letter you get will simply state the issue and come with a booklet "key" that explains each "result".

Zelda247

Thanks so much. I asked the nurse when she did it and she said 2-3 weeks but it sounds like she was being very optimistic. I hate waiting I get really anxious. I can't believe they end them to the US the mind boggles!

_Whimsical_

Obviously I was very lucky them, mine were back in 2 weeks lately, all fine thank God!

witchgirl26

Zelda247 wrote: »

Thanks so much. I asked the nurse when she did it and she said 2-3 weeks but it sounds like she was being very optimistic. I hate waiting I get really anxious. I can't believe they end them to the US the mind boggles!

I don't think they send them to the US. My understanding is that they go to the Rotunda hospital but that is for the whole country.

Zelda247

5 weeks now and no results. I am scared to phone the doctor.

witchgirl26

Zelda247 wrote: »

5 weeks now and no results. I am scared to phone the doctor.

Ring them - it doesn't necessarily mean anything. Can take up to 6 weeks and sometimes it's just gotten lost in the post. They'll be able to reissue the results.

Whispered

Ive actually had the test done and gotten results back since you started this thread. The nurse was very insistent that if I don't get them within four weeks to call her. She said it's not uncommon for there to be a delay. Also they send the same letter to your doc, so they may have your results there but assume you also got the letter. So I wouldn't worry, but I would ring. Today if you can so you're not thinking about it over the weekend.

retro:electro

I got my results this week and my test was 6 weeks ago. Was actually down to this thread that I remembered to do it.

Zelda247

I will wait another week I think, I can't face phoning the doctors.

StanleyOllie

I've had bad cells lots of times over last 6 years. I'm monitored. Usually if the results show abnormalities you hear quickly. They prioritise getting these results and if results are normal it's usually longer. I was very worried first time...got procedure done then all grand. They have come back but not as bad. It's when your not being checked... anything could be going on. So well done all for getting this not so glamours check!!!

Zelda247

StanleyOllie wrote: »

I've had bad cells lots of times over last 6 years. I'm monitored. Usually if the results show abnormalities you hear quickly. They prioritise getting these results and if results are normal it's usually longer. I was very worried first time...got procedure done then all grand. They have come back but not as bad. It's when your not being checked... anything could be going on. So well done all for getting this not so glamours check!!!

Thank you so much for replying, really appreciate it. I will give it one more week and then contact doctor if no results have arrived. Hopefully I am worrying over nothing but I am a very anxious person.

njs030

Zelda247 wrote: »

Thank you so much for replying, really appreciate it. I will give it one more week and then contact doctor if no results have arrived. Hopefully I am worrying over nothing but I am a very anxious person.

Sure why wait another week if you're anxious about it, just call the doctor tomorrow and say you don't have the results. If they also don't have them you know there's a delay so you can relax and if they have them and your copy has been lost they will send yours out.. .and you can relax.
If there was anything wrong you would have been notified, silence usually means one of the above two things.

Zelda247

Finally got the results yesterday in the post and all is o.k. Thank you all so much for your help, it great to feel you are not alone.