Private tests?

[BunnyN]

I had one early loss, two full term pregnancies and then a loss at 9 weeks. I know that that doesnt come anywhere near what most doctors would consider doing testing for. It is niggling me though that I also had problems with bleeding behind the placenta when pregnant with DD which may have been caused by a blood clot. I have read that basic testing for blood clotting disorders is not that expensive and am thinking about getting them done privately. I dont know where to start though. Has anyone else done private testing? Or can say what the basic tests to start with would be?

 

[bubbles82]

Not sure if it will help but I have been contacting a private hospital in relation to the basic tests available, and they sent me the following tests they would recommend having:

Prothromblin £43.00

Partial Thromboplastin £43.00

Antiphospholipid Antibodies £84.00

Total guide £170.00

Total guide price with phlebotomy £192.00


I haven't had any testing done yet as I am still going through the process of my third loss, still so annoyed I am not entitled for any help with testing due to my losses not being concurrent as I had my daughter after the first. It would make more sense to me if they said I couldn't have testing as I've already had a successful pregnancy, but to say my losses aren't significant enough unless they're all in a row just seems odd. I hate the idea I'd have to go through it all a fourth time before they'll do tests, which could come back with something straightforward and treatable which could've easily been sorted out before trying again. That's why I'm considering getting them done privately, just a bit stuck with progressing things at the moment as my GP isn't interested due to the losses not being concurrent, but I have to have a referral from my GP confirming which tests I need, and a follow up appointment as the results would just be sent to my GP and not discussed by the private hospital. So I'm not sure I'd be able to do this as my GP is saying I don't need any tests at this stage, so why would they spend the time telling another hospital which tests I need, then more time to sort out the results?

 

[BunnyN]

Thanks that is helpful. It is so fustrating that you are not entitled to more. I can understand why a doctor would not be that bothered aout my losses as I have only had two and two babies in between but in your situation it seems obvious its worth checking.

It was the sonographer who we have seen for all my pregancies (except the first early loss) who suggested we might consider tests for clotting disorders which I think was because of having a blood clot behind the placenta with DD too. I think chances are our losses were just random things, especially as I am 36 so the chances of MC get higher. I just feel like if there is something simple we can test for it will put our minds at rest. If we were to go through another loss or two and then find out the cause was easily treatable I'd find it hard to forgive myself. I live in Portugal so private testing is not too hard to get so its probably easier for me. I'm going to go to a doctor about it but wanted an idea of what to be asking about before I go there.

Will they not send the test results to a private doctor for you? Of course it would be more expensive because you'd have to pay for more appointments but I dont understand why it wouldnt be possible. What about people who choose to do all their care private? It doesnt make sense that all tests have to be sent through your GP?

 

[bubbles82]

No it doesn't make sense to me either, but they say that's the way it works and they won't do anything at all without a referal from my GP, this seems crazy when my GP is saying I don't need anything and that's the reason I'm going elsewhere for it, and if I'm paying them surely it shouldn't matter either way if I actually need it or not. I haven't got the strength to start arguing with my doctors at the moment and pushing for it yet, I was just getting an idea of what my options were for now.

I can understand that some of the tests are costly, and there's a high chance of them not showing anything and there still being no identifiable reason for the losses, but it just seems crazy to me they won't even rule out the simple treatable things with the simple tests, especially when I've had to had blood taken twice during this loss anyway.

 

[BunnyN]

I wouldnt bother with the genetic ones unless I'd had a lot of losses in a row because even if they find something not much can be done about it and they are a lot more expensive. Some of the basic blood tests are pretty simple though. Even for the NHS it seems like it would be cheaper than emergency treatment or a d&c. For me its just fo peace of mind.