Most useful tests?

[Josiesmum]

Hi all. I've been reading about the multitude of private testing that's available and knowing that we won't be able to afford all of them, I would be really interested to hear which tests people have found the most helpful for revealing underlying health issues/determining treatment. Many thanks.

[rosetrees]

Lyme testing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Blue Horizon - thyroid plus 10 test - looks at the whole picture

- folate, ferritin, B12 as well as TSH, FT3, FT4, TT4 and two different anti-bodies

They now also offer Thyroid plus 12 test - at slightly higher price - extra two tests are vitamin D and reverse T3

[Clutter in reply to SlowDragon]

Josiesmum, TSH, FT4 and FT3 as a minimum. If you can stretch to Blue Horizon's Thyroid Plus 10 that is good value and you can order vitD from City Assays for £28.

[Josiesmum in reply to Clutter]

Thank you. I'm hoping that all of these thyroid tests will be done in the Endicrinology appointment along with short synacthen test?

[Clutter in reply to Josiesmum]

Josiesmum, my endo orders TSH, FT4 and FT3 but lab doesn't analyse FT3 unless TSH is suppressed. I don't know whether thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are tested as standard. Thyroid peroxidase has never been tested at my clinics but thyroglobulin and thyroglobulin antibodies are tested annually as they use them as cancer markers post thyCa. rT3 isn't tested on NHS according to my endo.

Short synacthen is an adrenal test and is only likely to be done if your cortisol is out of whack.

[Josiesmum in reply to Clutter]

Thanks. Yes, adrenals are out of whack. 9am 138, normal being over 400.

TSH, T4, T3 and peroxidase all in normal ranges. However, my daughter has approx 15 symptoms of hypothyroidism, so not totally convinced and feel more testing is needed.

[Josiesmum in reply to Clutter]

As an aside, I suppose I'm assuming that Endo will order full range of thyroid/adrenal/sex hormone tests while investigating very low cortisol, but maybe we need to go prepared with a list just in case.

[Clutter in reply to Josiesmum]

Josiesmum, it depends what the endo is looking for. Mine was only checking thyroid and adrenal and sex hormones testing has never been discussed.

[BlueHorizonMedicals]

Hi Josiesmum,

I certainly hope that your endo is a prolific blood test prescriber, but if not then our thyroid check plus ten as mentioned above is our best value profile, and available for £10 discount using the TUK10 code.

Best wishes,

Paul Harris 😊

Clinical Support

Blue Horizon Medicals

[Josiesmum in reply to BlueHorizonMedicals]

Thanks Paul. Presumably we'd need someone to take the blood?

[fibrolinda in reply to Josiesmum]

hi josiesmum, I use the thyroid 10 from blue horizon but get the micro container one where you do your own sample using the kit they send. Finger prick thingys .. sorry brain hiccup... It is pretty easy to do.

[Josiesmum in reply to fibrolinda]

Thanks!