Blood testing in Ireland

b4bmm

What is the procedure in Ireland for carrying out blood tests, Does it have to be through a GP referral?

In australia you can get whatever blood testing you want done without GP intervention. I use a company called imedical. I attend a pathology clinic that draws the blood and it gets evaluated by imedical at their labs. I use a trusted consultant to interpret the results

Can I get something similar done in Ireland for a non rip off Ireland piece?

These is basically the tests I’m looking to get done and the price it is in Australia

https://imedical.com.au/order/bodybuilding-blood-work

topmanamillion

Sounds like a nonsense system. Far more straightforward here.

Go to a GP, show them the blood work up you want, they'll take a blood sample,send them to the lab and let you know when they're back.

There'll be no need for a "trusted consultant". The GP will interpret the results and each result will have the normal range beside it so it's pretty straightforward to understand yourself. Your GP will give you advice on any lifestyle changes that you might need to make if any results are a bit off.

Blood tests are around €20. GP consult is usually around €60 or so.

Dempo1

There are Private pathology services in Ireland, how expensive they are, I'm unsure or how often they are used.

Public Patients / Full Medical Card Holders.

In the Main, Medical card holders do not pay for blood Tests.

The General way most people get blood tests done in Ireland is through a trusted GP route initially based on their recommendations or if a patient has then been referred to a hospital consultant, they may order on going blood tests as they treat a condition.

I believe most blood tests are free if ordered by a GP as these tests are done at Public hospital labs (open to correction), they are definitely free if already referred to a public hospital consultant as a public patient.

I can't comment on Private Patients when referred to a private consultation. But do believe at an initial stage when dealing with their GP, blood tests are free as those blood tests are done in Public Hospital Labs. (But open to correction)

b4bmm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119147539#Comment_119147539

So your saying anybody in Ireland can order unlimited blood tests for 80 euro? I find this very very hard to believe given the costs of everything else in the country.

b4bmm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119147540#Comment_119147540

"The General way most people get blood tests done in Ireland is through a trusted GP route initially based on their recommendations or if a patient has then been referred to a hospital consultant, they may order on going blood tests as they treat a condition."

This is exactly how I expect it would be. I want to get my own tests done. Im not coming up with a whole lot when I google pathology providers in Ireland. I have emailed one called Eurofins Biomnis or something like that. One week still not heard back from them.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119173865#Comment_119173865

Unfortunately its not something I've had (private blood tests) and honestly wouldn't know were to start in seeking same in Ireland, hopefully someone else has and may come back to you

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119173841#Comment_119173841

Yep thats correct or at least only what your doctor charges for interpreting the results and taking the samples. Some tests outside the standard range of blood tests may incur a charge.

Mate works in one of the hospital testing labs and is always on about the testing being free.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119147540#Comment_119147540

Medical card holders may pay a standard charge for blood tests, think its €10 a month in our surgery but if you need the tests doing multiple times for whatever reason in the month you only pay once. Its probably different in every surgery around the country.

b4bmm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119173887#Comment_119173887

"Some tests outside the standard range of blood tests may incur a charge"

What is considered a standard blood test? Its one in which the previous poster described, anything outside the scope of what the doctor thinks is relevant which would be everything in my case.

Dempo1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119173911#Comment_119173911

Medical card holders don't actually pay but obviously if they are getting bloods done it's for a reason etc, they couldn't just request blood tests. Well they could but would pay in such a scenario, what that charge would be I'm not sure.

New2Dubs

I agree - I had blood tests done every month in NZ directly through a lab. V straightforward.

I need blood tests here now & have just registered with surgery. Have to wait for GP appt (Cost is €70 and I don’t need to see GP) GP hopefully agrees to blood tests & I wait for appt with practice nurse - €20. Not straightforward.

I googled getting it done privately and nearest place to Dublin I could find was Skerries.

Good luck!

b4bmm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119173971#Comment_119173971

You need blood tests for a medical condition or just because you want to get certain tests done yourself?

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119173941#Comment_119173941

They do all the common blood tests here but rarely there is a particular diagnostic test that is sent aboard. Think that only happens when they are fairly sure what the problem is but want conformation.

New2Dubs

Fertility related - progesterone specifically.

ax530

surgery I attend often the nurse will do the blood testing (drawing) this is reduced fee from GP.

Depending on results you may need a consultation with Dr to review. If all in normal range no action needed thus no review and no additional GP visit fee.

If you have paid for GP visit initially to discuss an issue which resulted in blood tests if a follow up is required to discuss results this is a reduced rate 'follow up' fee.

Obviously prices differ depending on GP.

Know someone who got private testing done via a clinic in a hotel\SPA in Northern Ireland few years ago worked out very expensive £200+ They then had to bring results to a GP to review.

b4bmm

Im looking for about 20-30 various blood markers that I have been tracking while in Australia.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119174008#Comment_119174008

Im sure an isolated test like this would be no issue.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119174003#Comment_119174003

Do you consider all the tests in the link I provided, "common blood tests" that a GP would allow me to do all at once for the price you claim?

Tree

Most of your listed bloods (bodybuilding pack) are very standard, some of the hormones would be done on an as needed basis.

If you're not sick, a GP will likely send the standard ones for a baseline, but if the less common ones aren't indicated they have no need to order them.

Blood tests are free here, if they're indicated (even rare ones that have to get sent abroad), GPs won't send unnecessary tests.

Fertility montitoring, as mentioned above, may be indicated but you'd probably be using a specialist at that point rather than have the GP monitor it.

b4bmm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119174293#Comment_119174293

Thanks for the info. Are you aware of any good private providers as any alternative? Id be interested to ask them for a quote.

The Continental Op

Standard blood tests - but the free tests aren't limited to these this are just a list of the common the ones that doctors normally order.

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/blood-tests/common-types/

You'll have to check the terminology as there might be different names for the same test.

This might answer one question from the general discussion.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/gps-defend-blood-test-fees-for-medical-card-holders-35422803.html

Tree

You probably want to look for "health screenings", plenty of private clinics happy to charge for these and they'll include a lot of the listed tests. Probably worth ringing if they can include the additionals, or emailing in. The likes of the Mater Private and the Beacon would be worth checking in Dublin. Health insurers also run screenings, so worth asking them too.

cooperguy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119176692#Comment_119176692

My GP practice would set me up directly with the nurse when I call for an appointment, no need for nurse + GP visit/bill. Very straight forward