Articles

Patients sometimes ask their GP to order blood tests recommended by a naturopath, wellness practitioner, nutritionist or other non-medical provider.

These requests may include hormone panels, thyroid panels, cortisol levels, insulin levels, vitamin levels, iron studies or other broad “wellness” investigations.

It is understandable to want more information about your health. However, in conventional medical practice, tests are usually ordered to answer a specific clinical question — not simply to check a long list of levels.

Why your GP may not order every requested test

A GP is responsible for any test they request. This includes deciding whether the test is clinically appropriate, interpreting the result, arranging follow-up and managing any abnormal findings.

For this reason, your GP may not be able to order tests simply because another practitioner has suggested them.

The issue is not whether you are willing to pay. The issue is whether the test is medically indicated, likely to be useful, and appropriate for your GP to interpret and act on.

Why broad testing can be unhelpful

Many blood test results vary naturally depending on timing, diet, sleep, stress, menstrual cycle, exercise, illness, medications and other factors.

Broad testing can sometimes create more confusion than clarity. Mildly abnormal or borderline results may not explain symptoms and may not require treatment. They can also lead to unnecessary worry, repeat testing, referrals or further investigations.

In some situations, testing without a clear clinical question may result in overdiagnosis or unnecessary treatment.

When testing may be appropriate

Your GP can assess your symptoms, medical history, medications, family history and examination findings to decide whether testing is needed.

For example, targeted tests may be appropriate when there are symptoms or clinical features suggesting:

• thyroid disease
• diabetes or metabolic problems
• iron deficiency or anaemia
• vitamin deficiency
• hormonal conditions
• inflammatory or autoimmune disease
• kidney or liver disease
• medication side effects

In these cases, your GP may recommend specific investigations rather than a broad screening panel.

What if another practitioner wants the tests?

If a naturopath or wellness practitioner wants tests for their own assessment, the most appropriate approach is usually for that practitioner to contact the pathology provider directly and arrange private testing.

The practitioner requesting the tests should also be responsible for explaining why the tests are needed, interpreting the results and providing follow-up advice.

What your GP can do

Your GP can:

• review your symptoms and concerns
• decide whether medical testing is indicated
• order appropriate evidence-based investigations
• explain what the results mean
• arrange follow-up if results are abnormal
• refer you to a specialist if needed

Your GP can also review test results ordered elsewhere, but may still need to interpret them within a conventional medical framework.

Key message

Blood tests can be very useful when ordered for the right reason.

However, broad panels requested by naturopaths or wellness practitioners are not automatically appropriate for a GP to order. Testing should be guided by symptoms, clinical findings and a clear medical question.

If another practitioner wants specific tests for their own assessment, they should usually arrange those tests directly with the pathology provider and provide the follow-up advice.