which blood test should i opt for?

[anbuma]

have just looked at the home blood tests available .the ones i viewed are

thyroid profile advanced home blood test at £118.75 or intermediate blood st (FT3 FT4 and TSH)at £88,75?

[HarryE]

Depends what information you are trying to find out. The advanced one includes antibodies as well as the tests in the cheaper one.

[sheenah]

I would go for the one I did - the advanced profile as it covers everything you need to know xx

[anbuma in reply to sheenah]

was yours a finger prick test or did a phlebotomist doit for you?

[sheenah in reply to anbuma]

Mine was a fingerprick test. You have to fill a small phial, but it is small - not a problem x

[sheenah]

Don't forget you get £10 off if you quote TUK10 if you are going with Blue Horizon. x

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to sheenah]

Sheenah, at what point in the order process did you quote the discount code - I have just gone pretty well right through and didn't find anywhere to apply it? That was for the home testing version.

[sheenah in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Hello Fruit,

I think it says "Coupon" or " Voucher" on the left hand side nearer the top X

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to sheenah]

Many thanks, will look again

[anbuma]

did you all go to your gp with your results?how did they accept them?im not sure mine will as he doesn't like me going on the internet although I have told him it s only to talk with other members.so he might take offence at my getting blood tests done.he wont do the T3 and T4

[yorkshiregirl44 in reply to anbuma]

Its astounding how vulnerable we become when we are unwell. We go to out doctor with a health problem and how we live our lives is upto us. You are entitled to go on the internet or get private bloods taken when ever you like. I susspect that you feel like they have some control over you which is abussive behaviour. Not suprisingly you are not getting the help you need when the dynamics of the relationship are like they are. The power is clearly weighed on the medics side.

[Hidden in reply to anbuma]

Please don't worry about this. Get the tests done and get the results, then you can think about how to approach your GP. If nothing shows up you won't need to. He isn't doing what you need to put your mind at rest, I think there is a level of misplaced loyalty here, because he could have ruled out a few of your fears with simple tests. Put it out of your mind, get the test, take it one step at a time xx

[puncturedbicycle in reply to anbuma]

anbuma, you probably know this already but it really confused me when I ordered my tests. There are tests where you go there and someone takes your blood, there are tests where they send you the kit for a phlebotomist to take it and you send it to the lab and there are finger-prick tests. When I ordered mine it got confusing and in the end I can't remember if I rang them or emailed but I needed to clarify which test was which. So if you're not sure maybe give them a ring.

Also, your doctor is breathtakingly arrogant to presume that he can tell you what not to do when at home on your own time and you don't owe him any explanations.

[anbuma in reply to puncturedbicycle]

by a phlebotomist I don't suppose an nhs one at the surgery would do it

[puncturedbicycle in reply to anbuma]

Some surgeries allow this but might charge a small sum. You'd have to ask yours. Mine won't do it.

Otherwise you can find a local phlebotomist. Someone can give you info about that but I forget if it's TUK or Blue Horizon or - ? Maybe someone will step in and clarify.

[HarryE in reply to anbuma]

I used the one where you get your own blood with a fingerprick. Very easy to do, and no need for anyone else's help

[puncturedbicycle in reply to anbuma]

Hope these help:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[BlueHorizonMedicals]

We are often asked to supply details of lab accreditation by our patients when their GP uses a private blood test as an excuse not to actually do anything.

For example, we had a case yesterday where the patient had a severe vitamin D deficiency and instead of their GP actually doing something about it he asked for the lab accreditation even though it was a private hospital where the GP did private work himself.

We only used accredited labs so this wasn't a problem, but it means the patient has to waste their time trying to prove something that is in black and white and is credible in the first place!

[marram in reply to BlueHorizonMedicals]

I absolutely agree. My GP called BH 'Charlatans'. I told him to be careful not to libel fellow professionals.

The NHS Lab he sent my blood to failed to pick up that I am on T3 and told him I had total pituitary failure. BH on the other hand, correctly recognised that I was on T3 treatment.

I would trust BH any day over a NHS lab, where they clearly seem to think that a lab technician is qualified to diagnose patients without even seeing them.

[sheenah in reply to marram]

I think it is a sign that GPs are becoming uncomfortable that people are taking their own power into their own hands, and trying to take care of their own health. At the end of the day we ARE ultimately responsible for our own health, and if they are not meeting our needs we will go somewhere else to find someone who can. The problem I have is that not everybody can afford to do this, whereas people like Blue Horizons make private blood testing accessible to a wider range of people. OK, it is still expensive, but it is doable depending on how much you need to get better.

[HarryE in reply to BlueHorizonMedicals]

Totally agree! I work in an NHS lab (different type of testing though) and I made it plain that I knew all about proper accreditation etc when I handed mine over. Somewhat ironically, I have missed our lab's accreditation visit due to being off sick :-\

[sheenah in reply to BlueHorizonMedicals]

Hello Paul,

I hope you have my blood with you right now!!

Looking at this accreditation matter, would it be possible for you to pre-empt this situation by placing the accreditation on your website so it could be downloaded and printed if necessary. This may save people time and further aggravation. Just a thought!

Sheenah

[crimple]

I found it very reassuring to do BH tests and get results for tests that NHS wouldn't do.

My current GP did at least accede to my request for antibody test, which came back +ve. The NHS system then resumed "normal service" when Endo said I only needed a small increase in my levo and that was it. I have since had a private ultrasound scan which shows a very atrophied thyroid and results/report will be sent to my GP. I await with interest- will they ask me in for an appointment? They (GP surgery) have already asked me to attend nurse appointment because my kidney function is low! What a surprise, so they don't understand that kidney, liver, cholesterol will all be "bad" when thyroid not functioning/ medication is not correct.