Blood tests in UK sent to the US

[Chrys]

We have been offered blood tests that will be sent to the US for analysis. Excuse my ignorance, but will the samples still be valid after several days in the post?

[Daftyduck]

I live in Canada and because there is no social interaction around where I live I have chosen to tie in with this site. Is that ok?

[humanbean in reply to Daftyduck]

Yes, it is. We have members from lots of countries.

Welcome to the forum.

[Daftyduck in reply to humanbean]

thank you

[shaws Administrator in reply to Daftyduck]

Yes and you are very welcome. When you have blood tests for thyroid hormones always have the earliest, and fast (you can drink water) and if you take any thryoid hormones leave about 24 hours between the last dose and the test and take them afterwards. This allows the TSH to be highest as it lowers throughout the day.

[humanbean]

Hi Chrys,

You haven't specified the tests you are referring to, or the company you are dealing with. But are you by any chance doing a Reverse T3 test?

I haven't had a reverse T3 test since part way through last year and my sample had to go to the US because at the time there were no UK labs testing it. I don't know if that is still true.

My blood was sent by post (guaranteed next day delivery) to the UK company I was dealing with, it was processed in some way by the receiving lab, and only after it was processed did it get sent to the USA. The processing is what made it last long enough to get sent by air mail to the US for testing.

Hope that helps.

[Daftyduck in reply to humanbean]

You mentioned that you had your testing sent to the USA. This surprises me. Is this a usual practice in the UK? I've always looked at Europe as being more advanced than we are. You have stricter rules when it comes to food and health. I think?

[Chrys in reply to Daftyduck]

These were suggested to me by our friendly private Doctor, but perhaps if you know of this type of food immune reactivity test available closer to home, you could send me a PM.

TIA

[humanbean in reply to Chrys]

Sorry, I'm afraid I don't. But it isn't a subject I have ever looked into.

[humanbean in reply to Daftyduck]

In my case it was one specific test (the reverse T3 test) that was sent to the US, because no labs in the UK tested it.

We may be more advanced in some things in the UK e.g. a few people are fighting back against statins, some diabetics are eating low carb and high fat diets to maintain their health instead of high carb and low fat, some people have realised that cholesterol is good for you.

But in thyroid care, UK doctors are behind the times, authoritarian, moronic, sadistic, and want anyone who complains about their treatment (or lack of it) to be diagnosed as mentally ill. And they are getting worse.

The US has some doctors who will treat with Natural Dessicated Thyroid (NDT) e.g. Armour Thyroid or Erfa, and some patients can get T3. We don't have any access to NDT from doctors and T3 is getting virtually impossible to get.

Oh, and we definitely have stricter rules about food and additives. When the TTIP treaty with the US comes into force we'll have the same crappy food regulations that the US has.

[Daftyduck in reply to humanbean]

Some of the Natural desiccated Thyroids over here have changed there recipes and may no longer work for you the way they should. If you want assistance in finding t3 let me know. I also know where to get true natural desiccated thyroid if someone needs assistance in finding these companies.

[humanbean in reply to Daftyduck]

Thanks for the offer.

[Chrys in reply to humanbean]

BH do RT3 now for £109!

[humanbean in reply to Chrys]

Genova Diagnostics UK do it for £65

gdx.net/uk/product/20

They also have a package of tests for the thyroid that work out being good value from money if you want to include reverse T3 e.g.

gdx.net/uk/product/140

The above is £148 and it includes :

Anti-TG

Anti-TPO

FT3

FT4

Reverse T3

TSH

TT4

It was Genova that used to send their reverse T3 tests to the US. I don't know if they still do.

[Chrys]

Thanks, these are food immune reactivity tests.

[Hidden in reply to Chrys]

Hello Chrys,

I had the Cyrex Laboratories Array 4 Gluten Associated and Cross Reactive Foods Sensitivity Test which was sent to America for testing.

After the blood was drawn it was spun in a centrifuge. This procedure separates the blood platelets from the blood plasma.

Only the plasma was sent and has a longer life when isolated from the platelets which go bad quickly.

If this is the test you refer to ensure the clinic where blood is drawn has a centifruge machine. I had mine done at The Nuffield Hospital and it cost £30.00

Flower

[Chrys in reply to Hidden]

Thanks very much, yes it is Cyrex we are looking at, but I have been quoted $282 for Array 4! Did you contact the Nuffield (Oxford?) direct?

[Hidden in reply to Chrys]

£30.00 was for blood to be drawn only.

Test was done through nutritionist.

F

[Chrys]

Ah, got it, our NHS hospital charges £15 for blood draw.