Thyroid & Vitamin B 12 / Folate blood testing!

[SAMBS]

I have just seen the below on labtestonline.org (there is a .co.uk site also). I think what it says is relevant to many of the side effects mentioned on TUK and other communities! I was just looking at tests for Vit B. I also want to look at Ferritin and B6 to see what it says about them.

Please note what it says at the bottom about length of fasting time for B12 and Folate - it's longer than we suggest here when including FT3/4 and above 2 others in Thyroid blood testing.

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At a Glance

Why Get Tested?

To help diagnose one cause of anemia or neuropathy; to evaluate nutritional status in some people; to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

When to Get Tested?

When you have an abnormal complete blood count (CBC) with a blood smear showing large red blood cells (macrocytosis) or abnormal (hypersegmented) neutrophils; when you have symptoms of anemia (weakness, tiredness, pale skin) and/or of neuropathy (tingling or itching sensations, eye twitching, memory loss, altered mental status); when you are being treated for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

Sample Required?

A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm

Test Preparation Needed?

Fasting for 6-8 hours before sample collection may be required. Certain medicines may affect the test results; your healthcare provider will advise you on which ones to stop taking.

[helvella]

Any chance of posting the actual link to that, please?

[SAMBS in reply to helvella]

Try labtestsonline.org/tests/vi...

Labtests have their own search box - I just typed VitB12 and Folate. I'll go back to it and see if I can c & p a link.

[SAMBS in reply to helvella]

The link got me to their page again. Typing as suggested didn't work so then I just tapped the letter V in the alphabet list and there it was B12 & Folate...

Once on the next page you'll see the info I copied at bottom. However if you on the same page tap the r h end link - related pages - it expands on the info given. When I try to copy and paste exact links it doesn't work for me on the iPad - I don't know why!

[helvella in reply to SAMBS]

Thanks for trying!

[SAMBS in reply to helvella]

Can you amend my post to read the uk.org link please before too many follow the wrong one! Thanks.

[SAMBS]

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/F...

Hooray............I managed to C&P the related pages link - as you will see explains about the Folate element! Hope it helps.....S

[SAMBS]

IM v sorry the UK labtestsonline link is .uk.org NOT .co.uk...... Memory at time I wrote it first!

[Julia1234]

Hello SAMBS,

Thanks for your post . When I get pale and itchy and I get an eye twitch , it's usually because I'm low in dhea because I've not been taking it .....just went through that.... Back on my dhea👍🏻

All the best to you xx

[SAMBS in reply to Julia1234]

Julia, what is dhea ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

labtestsonline.org.uk/map/a...

That link should take you to the UK site of Labtestsonline and the test index. I have it bookmarked and use it a fair bit.

@SAMBS - DHEA is a precursor hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. Genova do a 24 hour saliva adrenal test which measures cortisol and DHEA. Worth having done if still suffering despite thyroid meds and "normal" test results as adrenal fatigue could be part of the problem.

[SAMBS in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks seaside Susie, I can see if the lab here that does my blood tests will also test it. I wonder if the pharmacy could sell me a saliva test kit. I'm not in UK. But I'll certainly see if my doc Might follow up on it - I've been thinking about asking for a Cortisol test. I Don't know what that's called here!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to SAMBS]

Not sure where you live or what tests are available through your doctor but here is a link to the test for adrenal stress gdx.net/uk/product/27 . Click on the links in Additional Resources and you can see what is involved, also shows a sample report which will give you an idea of a normal profile. I don't think this test will be available at a pharmacy (well, certainly not here in the UK) as it requires four samples taken at specified times during the day/evening and then tested in a lab bit maybe it is available through the lab or your doctor.

If that link takes you to the test index just click on Adrenal Stress Profile, it's Product 27 and the test code is END01.

[SAMBS in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks again SS, I find the reference to "stress" interesting cos 1 of my dads causes of death said "stress related........." In 1998 I thought that meant emotional stress, of course since I've been doing all my research I'd re-evaluated those words and realised it was the health things going on with him - same as it is with me.

I never got a copy of his post Mortem report and found it interesting listening to David Frosts sons on the Andrew Marr show on BBC this morning, talking about their dads health affecting one or both of them also? and the fact they were never given a copy of his post Mortem results either - I think they may have now found out there is a link between one or both of them and their father healthwise.

I don't have iplayer here I'll have to see whether or not I can get better info via the websites. I was only vaguely listening at the time while typing and by the time I'd realised what they were discussing I'd missed ALL the relevant info!

[SAMBS in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SS

[foxglove]

Blue Horizon offer lots of home blood tests, including finger prick, easily done by you