Why can't I order My Own Tests?

[SickOfSickness]

In the US there are chains of places called AnyLabTest (and other names) for this reason. I don't know if they would have less common tests tho.

 

[overtrain]

In the US there are chains of places called AnyLabTest (and other names) for this reason. I don't know if they would have less common tests tho.

Did a search there for HHV-6, then Epstein and 0 results came up... but this is a helpful idea. I have read of a few labs on this site where one doesn't need mom's or dad's signature, lol.

 

[Sallysblooms]

You just have to find a good doctor. In the US, you can get great tests.

 

[ukxmrv]

In the UK the doctors who will actually order these tests are being driven out of the country or presecuted by the General Medical Council. So it's not just a question of moving to another doctor. It's now a question of finding any doctor.

 

[Plum]

I just wanted to say that if your Dr is shite then continuing searching for someone who can help you. There are a few Dr's here in the UK like Dr. Myhill and a few others who she lists on her website. I have also heard of some Dr's in the US who are good but no I don't remember their names. If a medical Dr can't help you then look for a Naturopathic Dr - the US has some very well qualified ones. In the UK they aren't as well qualified but can still be useful. I love my Osteopath - she gives me the right support that I need right now. But then I am almost completely not interested in medical tests anymore as I am following a natural healing path. But don't give up in finding someone who can give you the support you need.

 

[Valentijn]

In the US there are chains of places called AnyLabTest (and other names) for this reason. I don't know if they would have less common tests tho.

I got a proper Q-fever test from LabCorp in the US, even though Q-fever really doesn't exist in the US, so I imagine they do test pretty much anything.

 

[globalpilot]

In the US, we have directlabs. You can order from several tests yourself and the doctor with directlabs acts as the ordering physician. They can now do ultrasounds as well.
Is there something like this in the UK ?
I live in Canada and use direct labs - maybe they also work with people in the UK. There are others as well including mymedlabs for example.

 

[golden]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.u...ing-your-consultations-with-NHS-doctors/page7

I think I have found something in this link...

23rd October 2010 14:03 - In this post it says you can declare a communication embargo with your doctor and insist the only test results/ communication be directly with you - the patient.....

Do we have any lawyers here with M.E ha ha to explain it ....

There are a lot of gems in this thread its going to take me a while to understand it all so I can begone putting it into practice.

 

[golden]

P.s. I do hope you can access the thread.

On the post ref above:

it states:

See The General Medical Council's publication 'Good Medical Practice' para 52:

"52. If you provide treatment or advice for a patient, but are not the patients' General practitioner, you shall tell the General practitioner the results of the investigations, the treatment provided and any other information necessary for the continuing care of the patient, UNLESS THE PATIENT OBJECTS"

The practical application of this given in the thread was if you are awaiting your cancer results and don't want to dilly dally the extra time. When ringing up for the results you maybe palmed off.... we have to write a letter to the G.P. then they sit on t he G.P.s deck for ages etc....

However in my example if one does not want d test results to my NHS record which I have privately sought and which have come back within the range - Given the problems particularly with M.E. as a misunderstood illness , personally I think this would only to serve to disadvantage me further....

I wonder if I am understanding this correctly then and this can be applied.

 

[overtrain]

You just have to find a good doctor. In the US, you can get great tests.

"Just" the operative word.... esp. for those of us in small towns.

 

[overtrain]

I got a proper Q-fever test from LabCorp in the US, even though Q-fever really doesn't exist in the US, so I imagine they do test pretty much anything.

"Can I order my own tests directly from LabCorp?
Lab testing must be ordered by a licensed health care professional or authorized designee."
Straight off their site. Maybe this only applies to those in the U.S.

 

[overtrain]

In the US, we have directlabs. You can order from several tests yourself and the doctor with directlabs acts as the ordering physician. They can now do ultrasounds as well.
Is there something like this in the UK ?
I live in Canada and use direct labs - maybe they also work with people in the UK. There are others as well including mymedlabs for example.

Directlabs is is available in all but four states... looks expensive to me. Have you used them? I'm glad there's ANY lab out there at this point. Thanks =)

 

[Hip]

I have to agree with you, Golden, that it is very annoying when you (often) cannot order lab tests in the UK, except through your doctor or health practitioner.

I don't mind my doctor getting a copy of my test results (in fact, I would hope he does take an interest in the results).

However, I find having to do everything through your doctor is very exhausting, when you have a very fatiguing disease like ME/CFS.

It just takes a lot of effort to get even just one test done in the UK: first you need to visit your doctor to ask his permission to take the tests, and ask if he does not mind signing the test requisition form. Normally they will oblige if you ask them, but it does not seem right that you should have to ask your doctor's permission to take a simple blood test.

Next you have to go to the testing lab, to give a blood/saliva/urine sample, so that the test can be performed.

Then, as you await the results, you have to phone up you doctor's surgery every week, to check whether the results are in.

Then when the results are in, you need to make another appointment with your doctor, in order to have him tell you the results. You also have to ask him nicely for a copy of your results, and you have to ask the staff at the surgery if they would kindly make a photocopy of the results for you. A lot of extra effort.

All this makes taking a test quite hard for people with ME/CFS, who have to cope with often severe fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, etc, etc.


Some tips:

If you take a test at TDL (in London and Manchester), they will email a copy of your results directly to you, provided you ask you doctor to write "release results to patient" on the initial test requisition form. This makes things slightly easier.

Here is a list of pathology labs in the UK:

Genova Diagnostics
Great Plains Laboratory
Biolab Medical Unit
Neuro Lab
Nutrition Geeks
The Doctors Laboratory (TDL)
TDL Manchester
YorkTest Laboratories
MELISA Diagnostics Ltd
Medichecks (sends samples to TDL)

I have only used TDL and Genova Diagnostics myself. Both now require referral from a health practitioner before they will give you a test. Originally, Genova Diagnostics, when they first came to the UK, would allow you to deal with them directly, but now they don't; so I guess they must have buckled under pressure from the UK medical establishment to stop dealing with patients directly.

I think Biolab allow patients to deal with them directly, but their range of tests is not that great.

I am not sure about the other labs, and whether they allow directing dealing or not.

 

[*GG*]

"Just" the operative word.... esp. for those of us in small towns.

I understand what you are saying here, have you come across this website?:

http://www.co-cure.org/good-doc.htm

GG

 

[overtrain]

I understand what you are saying here, have you come across this website?:

http://www.co-cure.org/good-doc.htm

GG

Thanks; yes, & I check back periodically. Have researched these docs despite none are remotely near my town. Some look good, other not so much, imho. Also looked thru the list on this site for my state which is Iowa.

As an aside: lab test results are posted, and fast, online on the hospital website here if one sets up an account (free) to access them. Oddly, no one follows up when the results are out of range. Guess they leave that up to you. The only followup I ever got was a call from the ER physician saying my EBV titers were high, meaning I had mono, & might be tired for up to 6 months.... & there was nothing that could be done but rest. Yeah, it's now a year later.

 

[nomad]

Dr Myhill providing test results and an interpretation to your NHS GP is also another way of saying "It's time to educate yourself, this is real medicine". She wrote a long letter to my GP following some tests emphasising the importance of nutrition in healthcare.

Watching my GP read the letter with a stoney silent face was priceless

 

[maryb]

golden
You can insist on details of private consults not being given to your GP - I do that with my private clinic - just sign a form - however I would suspect if you asked a consultant about it (one who also works for the NHS) they would be appalled and show it - ha ha - I'd just love someone to do it please.
But most docs like My-hill don't give you this option, fair enough, she's had enough flack I suspect - the regulatory body who checks private practices absolutely hate it and I wouldn't be suprised if there is not a move to abolish our choice to do it in the near future.

 

[golden]

I think dr myhill is obliged if asked to honour your patient confidentiality. i would suggest asking this BEFORE making payment.

re: nutrition

Its great that this is taken on board but whilst i have nothing against the paleo diet -

there are many flaws in the theory imo

plus there seems to be a bundle of scientific studies suggesting many illness is caused by consuming meat.

If it helps people then great but i have major reservations about 'prescribing' en masse any diet such as paleo , vegetarian vegan and raw paleo raw vegan etc .

'prescribe'a healthy diet but that has to be balanced according to the individual once they are free from food addictions

 

[Ema]

"Can I order my own tests directly from LabCorp?
Lab testing must be ordered by a licensed health care professional or authorized designee."
Straight off their site. Maybe this only applies to those in the U.S.

You have to have a lab order but there are many absolutely legit companies that will provide this for patients in most states with a few notable exceptions. You have to comparison shop and check for coupons and specials though as pricing will vary considerably.

Here are my favorites (not affiliated with any):

Walk in Lab
http://www.walkinlab.com/

Private MD Labs
http://www.privatemdlabs.com/
(must get 15% coupon code from email signup)

I've also used directlabs and econolab but less frequently.

Ema

 

[WillowJ]

If it makes anyone feel better, the situation is no different in the US. I have had many fights with my doctor over refusing to run tests. My HMO's infectious disease "specialist" refused to test me for EBV, HHV-6 and CMV because these viruses could not possibly cause my symptoms. I found a doctor who would order these tests and paid for them myself. Turns out my HHV-6 titers are through the roof. Now my HMO is investigating whether or not their doctor did anything wrong and whether they will cover treatment for HHV-6. Duh!

Exactly just like here in the U.S., as I was about to comment. "because these viruses could not possibly cause my symptoms" - Same line tried on me, with the addition of terming CFS "A Fad"... I'm heartened at least your trmt is being investigated. I have no recourse. How many are there like us out there too sick to fight back, too broke to do anything? How many gone from "natural causes"? I so can't wait for the day biomarkers will get recognized, discovered, whatever it takes, so doctors will be forced to recognize this condition and *eat their words*.

Cheers from flyover country, us of good old aye. =)

exactly, because hHv viruses are clearly not a problem (as long as it is not hIv, I suppose), even if you have a + HHV-6 or whatever test result, no one knows what to make of. HHV viruses cause chickenpox, which we all had as kids and most of us are ok, people generally are not gravely ill and crippled from chickenpox (there is a vaccine for it now because there is a minor chance of bad complications from chickenpox/shingles, but whatever).

of course there is association with Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphomas, and stuff that people with bad immune systems get, but who cares about all that, right?