Blue horizon blood test accuracy

[lare73]

Does the fact that blood is drawn and sent to the lab change the result at all? My endocrinologist said that he feels this process is what caused an under range t4 level, 11.4(12-22)

Is this right?

[ChemicalAngel]

He is probably wanting to discredit the company.

There is a solution in the tube that is the same as the nhs labs use, to stabilise and preserve the blood, so the result is accurate.

My doc refused to acknowledge them point blank, refused to even look at them

Ann xxx

[helvella Administrator]

In an era of evidence-based medicine in which doctors insist that things cannot work unless demonstrated in a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial, your endocrinologist has the sheer nerve to FEEL that something he doesn't like is due to something he doesn't know anything about!!!!!!

If it does cause a problem, let him point you at some evidence. Otherwise it is less than anecdotal in terms of quality of evidence.

And is he sure that samples done at GP surgeries don't take just as long to get from arm to testing machine? (I literally don't know, but it is possible that samples from surgeries are picked up late in the day and do not get tested until at least the next day. Same as could happen by post.)

However, if you are questioning the issue, then I entirely applaud that you are asking questions.

I suggest that you call Blue Horizon and ask them what evidence they have that the process is reasonable and valid. They do provide container(s) with appropriate substances in them to try to ensure the samples do not deteriorate.

Rod

[lare73 in reply to helvella]

Thank you, I will be phoning them in the morning....

He has said he does not believe I have hypothyroidism based on my TSH.

As a point of interest I got the surgery to printout my old TFT's, I note the TSH hasn't ever really altered, but my t4 has!

So my TSH does not reflect what's going on.... My LH and FSH came back today LH is 2.8 and FSH is 2.5, so tink that's rules out pituitary issues.

TFT's

2004 - nhs

TSH 1.6 (0.2-6)

FT4 13.6 (10-25)

2008 - nhs

TSH 1.9 (0.2-6)

Ft4 12.9 ( 10-25)

2010 - nhs

TSH 1.6 (0.2-6)

Ft4 14.6 (10-25)

2013 - March (blue horizon)

TSH 1.88(0.27-4.2)

Ft4 11.5 (12-22)

Ft3 4.4 (3.1-6.8)

I see regardless of my TSH my FT4 is deteriating.

Any thoughts?

[helvella Administrator in reply to lare73]

Time of day for all these?

That modest variation of TSH could be well within the variation that can occur within the day.

In case you have not seen it, my blog of earlier in the year points that out clearly:

thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...

TSH is usually highest in the early hours - best to draw blood at a consistent time, if possible.

Rod

[lare73 in reply to helvella]

I can't remember the earlier ones Rod , but certainly mornings for the recent ones, my local hospital took my blood for blue horizon for me, (free of charge), as they were drawing blood for nhs tests as well.

Bloody TSH,

X

[babymaker]

I got my Sis in law who is a retired nurse to take my blood sample on monday morning and i posted off to blue horizon same day...awaiting results !!!!!!

[marram]

In my local GP surgery, you go for blood tests and they are sent to the General Hospital for analysis! They must be inaccurate, too, then.

I had a Blue Horizon test done the day after my test at my GP surgery. He measured the TSH and T4, they measured those plus T3. The results were almost identical on the TSH and T4.

I plan to give him the results when I next see him because I know on the basis of the low TSH and the slightly over-range T4 he will try yet again to reduce my Levo. I will then point out that the T3 is right at the bottom of the range and I am in no danger of overdose! He will be able to compare directly as they are only 1 day apart.

If a doctor or Endo want to disregard these tests, there is not a lot we can do, but I have minimised the scope for that by having the test very close in time to the inadequate test he did. I am going to insist that he keeps a copy of it in his file, along with a copy of the relevant page from Dr Toft's book.

Marie XX

[Jackie]

Hi All my consultant like me using Blue Horizon for their tests as a well known Lab, and some tests are better than the NHS. There are a few tests not suitable for the post, because blood needs testing quickly, blue horizon, do not offer those.I would suspect the Endo`s motives!Always have thyroid drugs and Beta Blockers ( if on them) after the thyroid tests,The results will only appear different if the Lab is different, they do then, but so long as you have the ranges for their assay, that is fine.

Best wishes,

Jackie

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[Barbaraj]

I bought blood tests online from Blue Horizon and was emailed the relevant forms to take to my nearest private hospital (don't think I'm allowed to say which) The nurse who took the blood excused herself immediately afterwards as she had to run up to the lab with them as one of them had to be spun within twenty minutes. Now that's what I call service!

[tegz]

I'm so glad that cost effective medicine is inching forwards in the UK.

With the internet for support, private lab testing and hospitals prepared to take and service blood samples the right way -there is hope!

I just hope B.Pharm doesn't get on the case -and find a reason to stop medical democracy.

[Cleo2467]

I had my blood taken this week by a private nurse who works from home, at your home and at hospitals and she said Blue Horizon were probably one of the best.