Is it a risk of something getting worse? GP.

Is it just a fixed reduction in HP with no serious complications? Meh

Depends how bad it is that I can tolerate the 15 hours of automated bullshit I have to listen to before I can speak to a receptionist.

I waited a year for a shoulder injury to go. Turns out it was massive diabetes and now I've got nerve and eye damage at 41.

Be careful everyone!

Depends whether I think it'll be a massive battle to get them to even pretend to give a shit (it usually is).

Is it getting worse? If so, is it because I'm not treating it? If not, do I have anything left to try? If not, I'll go.

If it hasn't fixed itself after 5 years, I'll consider the GP as an option.

3 months...

My knee popped around Christmas time (alcohol induced injury)... thought it was getting better... went to a friend's birthday party last weekend... had alcohol... it's hurting again.

Ought to go I 'spose.

Mind you... I still have a weird patch of skin that changed colour when I had Covid, maybe they need to see that first...

For me, one factor is always whether the illness/injury can be unarguably, definitely, 100%, no-doubt-about-it, proven to the receptionist who wants to stop you having an appointment.

I've pretty much done that with my allergies, because apparently I have to get a GP referral before anyone will let me safely test which ones I have & their severity. So I use over-the-counter antihistamines, a lot of off-brand Kleenex & an air purifier, and I live in hope that a bystander will have an epipen if I ever have a really bad reaction.