Suitable private thyroid tests for children

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows of a private service that will do private thyroid function tests for children please? My kids are 11, 8 and 5 and my two youngest boys are autistic but I also suspect may have thyroid dyfunction. My eldest daughter has symptoms of being hyper and also having hypermobility and the thyroid dysfunction seems to run along the female line of our family. She excessively sweats and always has done, has extra high energy levels, she is double jointed and her body clicks. She cannot concentrate fully. She has got an appointment next week to see the school health team but I am just asking just incase they do not refer her for an intensive enough test. With the two boys it is more just to rule it out as I was obviously hypo during my pregnancies with them. What should I ask to be tested for my daughter to get an overall picture of her thyroid function? There is no way she would do blue horizon kit.

Thank you

Katie

[bluebug]

If you phone up Blue Horizon you can ask if one of the hospitals they are linked with will test them. This will obviously be more expensive than the pin prick tests.

[Hidden in reply to bluebug]

Thank you. I will look into this. I am going to Crewe next week to have a blood test at the BMI for blue horizon. I may ask the staff there also. My kids hate needles and at our local nhs they have a special cream they put on before taking blood. I am just concerned about major hysteria with a bog standard blood test.

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK in reply to Hidden]

A fingerprick test might be better for children - not so scary. It's using the same blood as in a venous sample.

[BlueHorizonMedicals in reply to Hidden]

Hi KatieKatie,

Thank you for using our testing services! Our Service level agreement with BMI covers only Adults, we cannot refer children.

Give team blue horizon a call on 0800 999 1110 and we'll see what we can do in your area, although the only definite YES would be in London. ☺

Paul Harris

Founder, Blue Horizon Medicals

[Hidden in reply to BlueHorizonMedicals]

Thank you Paul I will do.

[Hidden in reply to BlueHorizonMedicals]

Just had to dela with very traumatic blood test in local NHS hospital. The enviriment is just not good enough for anxious children and my child had a big melt down. I have private health insurance and would do anything to avoid this kind of upset again. Any suggestions. I have tried finger prick in the past but didnt get enough blood. I have done finger prick blood tests on thousand of people in my life and have found that some people bleed really well and other dont. Are there any domiciliary service for kids that you know about.

[helvella in reply to Hidden]

mandyjane,

You could send Paul a private message. It might attract his attention better.

[sparkly]

Hi Kate, i agree with Lynn that finger prick test is best. My advice would be to make sure your daughter drank a couple of glasses of water before hand and to also stand up with arm at her side. I find the blood drips out very easy this way without having to squeeze on the finger.

Sparkly x

[lucylocks]

Hi

If you do the finger prick test, it is best to put your hands in warm water for a few minutes, then stand up and keep the hand downward, this will help the blood flow out better.

Good luck browny.

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone, sorry for the lack of response today was busy. My daughter I suspect is also on the autistic spectrum but she has never been diagnosed because she manages ok socially, she gets by I just think I may need to keep a close eye on her when she gets to the teenage years. She freaks out even if she cuts herself and hates blood. I used to cut my knees all the time as a kid, she is not a rough and tumble child at all. Even if there is a tiny spot she crys and wants a plaster. She just wouldn't let me do it. I think which ever option I go for is not going to be easy. I think I will push the nhs to do it and if that doesn't work out then go for a DIY kit. I will however ask at the BMI next Thursday if they do bloods for children and if they use the numbing cream.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

[Hidden]

Yes my mum has fibromyalgia, hypothyroism and my two aunties both have hypothyroidism. We all have depression lol. She has been to the school paediatritian now and she checked her joints and said she has hypomobility in her joints. I have to get her to a gp to ask for a thyroid function test too because she couldn't do it. Hopefully they will do it at the hospital and put some numbing cream in for her.

[Hidden]

Also aswell I have only began to feel well with my hypothyroidism since being on a high level of T3. Nothing else worked.