Can i insist on my gp giving me a test to see what my T3 level is, they only do t4 mine is 17 is that normal

[dotti]

[PinkNinja]

It is unlikely they will do a T3 test unless you are on T3 treatment or your TSH and T4 are abnormal and even then the lab may refuse to do it.

You can ask but they can refuse. Some GPs will do it so it is worth asking. If they refuse you have the option of a private test, but that isn't possible for everyone because of the cost.

Carolyn x

[dotti in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks Carolyn

I will give it a shot and see what my GP says, been on Thyroid meds for a number of years and am fed up of feeling so unwell and been told its my age/menopause.

[ElspethMann]

I have an appointment to see my GP this coming Monday. Having come across this very useful site I'm going to insist on being prescribed T3. I'm on 100mcg of thyroxine but have always felt this didn't solve my thyroid problems. Had lots of 'normal' test results but my symptoms seemed to have come to a head. I'm 62 and feel like 100 years old with so many of the symptoms listed. I've been told by my GP on several occasions that my thyroid is normal and I believed it was the menopause/my age. Not anymore I can't carry on feeling like this.

Can anyone tell me the approximate cost of going private also the cost of T3.

Thank you Elspeh

[Hidden]

Often the GP or nurse can request it but the lab in the hospital may be under the guidelines of 'If TSH comes back normal, do not test for T4 or T3" - even under a request. This happens a lot to me, especially over the last few months.

The Lab will do TSH and T4 and totally ignore T3 despite it being a REQUEST from the nurse or GP. The lab holds your serum usually for upto 7 days after the test has been done. It is worth getting the nurse who took your blood to ring the lab for you and request a T3 test as well which usually comes back in 12-24 hrs. Good luck x

[ElspethMann in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for your valuable information, my god I feel I've got an uphill struggle on my hands. I have only ever been tested for TSH and T4. Well I'll start with my GP on Monday and take it from there, as ill as I feel I'm ready for a showdown...thank you so much.

[dotti in reply to ElspethMann]

I sympathise with you Elspeh i am in the same boat, sick to the back teeth of trying to sort this out.

I have an appointment with my GP on Wednesday and like you am ready for a showdown!!!

Heres hoping we both have some luck.

[ElspethMann in reply to dotti]

Hi dotti

I wish you all the best also...I'll let you know how I get on on Monday, fingers crossed...wouldn't it be nice to have some 'vitality' instead of feeling like an old person.

Regards Elspeth

[Heloise in reply to ElspethMann]

If you check Genova Europe or Blue Horizon Labs, you can order the whole array of thyroid tests for a flat rate. I think TUK gets a discount for you.

Really unfortunate that people are forced to self medicate.

[shaws in reply to ElspethMann]

Unfortunately, GP's have been told to only pescribe T4 and they usually keep the patients TSH within 'reference range' which is wrong as we need a TSH of 1 or below. Dr Toft's booklet from Amazon is a good starting point to read and pick out some points. My GP would only add some T3 if the Endo said so, lucky for me she did and it helped immensley

This is an archived site and I found it extremely useful. There are other topics at the top of the page too It is unfortunate but we have to read/learn in order to get well mainly due to the guidelines.

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

[Heloise]

You need to know the lab ranges to tell you how good or bad your test result is. Except for TSH which appears that everyone on medication should be somewhere between 0 and 1.6 or thereabouts. Maybe this will give an idea. stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

or this: drrind.com/therapies/thyroi...