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Seeking referral; blood tests and ECG?

ClaireH

I've finally taken the step to speak to my GP about my suspicions but they have said I need to have blood tests and an ECG in order to get a referral. I filled out an econsult so I haven't been able to speak directly to my GP yet or ask why this is. Has anyone else heard of this or had this done? I have an appointment on Monday and I want to be prepared, every other time I have been to the doctor I never get an answer just what I feel like are excuses and non-answers. 

After doing some brief research I think the blood test may be to check for lead poisoning, apparently this can create autism-like symptoms but I couldn't find anything about having an ECG done. 

  • in reply to Catlover

    I think this is just looking for any physical cause for any of the symptoms that you may be having as they may be most easy to correct (ie. I'm not saying this applies to you but low iron would cause tiredness and can often be fixed by iron tablets).  Doctors like to rule out lots of things before coming to a diagnosis and I think they are attracted by things that might be the simplest and easiest to treat.  If you did find out you were deficient in something or other then correcting that would make your other symptoms easier for you to deal with at least.

  • Depending on what you said in the e consult, the Dr has initially decided you should have these tests. I don’t think they are related particularly to the assessment, but more because you haven’t had these done before, or recently.  And if you do need medication somewhere along the line, this is helpful to have gotten out of the way.

    The bloods just check things like iron levels, vitamin deficiency and white/red blood cell count, platelets. It would not look for lead poisoning. This is a different test.

  • in reply to ClaireH

    Yeah blood tests and ECGs are needed for ADHD meds, I suspect that's why, I just don't know why they're doing that now 

  • in reply to Fibonacci Squid

    This is the message I received from my doctor, I've starred out the names;

    "Dear Miss H****

    I read patches regarding suspected adhd and/or autism. To be able to refer, you need to have blood tests and ECG. You will receive a call from the **** doctors with date and time of appointment for the ECG.

    5 days after blood test please book telephone or face to face appointment. 

    Thanks, 

    ******"

    I am quite confused, I made sure not to mention any other health concerns on the form. I will ask the doctor why these tests are needed and put an update here after the appointment. 

  • in reply to ClaireH

    That sounds like it's unlikely that it's to do with the autism

    It's much more likely that you mentioned something in your e-consult that raised concerns for a different issue, and so they're checking up on that. A blood test and ECG isn't a bad thing to have done and can catch some nasty stuff so I wouldn't be too worried about the actual tests

    Another option is that some heart conditions can be impacted by ADHD medications, but that would normally be a post diagnosis concern rather than a pre diagnosis.

    The other option is that they completely misunderstood what you were looking to get, I don't know what kind of format the econsult was in or what you put in it.

  • in reply to GuybrushThreepwood

    Thanks for taking the time to respond. I realise now how little info I gave in my initial post. I contacted the doctor in order to get tested for ADHD/autism. When I go to the appointment I'm sure I'll be able to get more information from them, I just have never heard of these tests being required to get an autism referral and wanted to see what others thought in case there was specific knowledge that may come in useful before speaking to the doctor.

  • ECGs can show up problems with some electrolyte and mineral levels, sometimes baselines are also taken if you’re likely to need medication which can have cardiac side effects. Sorry if that is a vague answer but I don’t know why you have contacted your doctor