Blue Horizon Blood Tests - to fast or not?

[Cleo2467]

Ok after various replies to my previous question i'm going to have the BH thyroid +12 blood test.

It includes the following:

TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies, Ferritin, Folate, B12 (not active), C Reactive Protein, Vitamin D and Reverse T3.

My appointment is in the afternoon and i've found conflicting information on whether i need to fast or not? And for how long?

I do know i have to refrain from taking my levo that morning.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Clutter]

Cleo2467,

You might want to reschedule to an early morning appointment. TSH is highest early in the morning and drops after eating and drinking so a fasting (water only) early morning test is recommended.

[Cleo2467 in reply to Clutter]

Unfortunately thats not possible, could i just have breakfast and then water only until the test?

[bluebug in reply to Cleo2467]

There is no point having the test if have eaten and it's late in the day especially as you are paying for it.

I would reschedule to another day even if you have to do it in 4-8 weeks time.

[Cleo2467 in reply to bluebug]

I'm trying to re-schedule as we speak.

[Clutter in reply to Cleo2467]

Cleo2467,

Fasting means 9-12 hours without food and drink. If you are having an afternoon thyroid test TSH will be at it's lowest level.

[humanbean]

Who is taking the blood for you? And just out of curiosity, how much are they charging?

[Cleo2467 in reply to humanbean]

If you look on Thyroid Uk they give you links to private phlebotomists who can come to your house.

[humanbean in reply to Cleo2467]

When I've needed to get blood taken for private testing I've used my nearest NHS hospital with a phlebotomy department. I turn up before it opens in the morning and just wait to be seen as early as possible. No appointment is necessary so I can go at any time they are open to the public.

When I go and get blood taken I take all the tubes and instructions that have been supplied by the company I bought my tests from, and then take the tubes away with me for packaging up to send back to the company.

The last time I was there (for NHS testing that time) I saw a sign up saying that they charge £18 for taking blood for private testing. That was a huge increase over what I had previously paid, but was still cheaper than any other place I'd investigated. And the price may have gone up again since then.

Some NHS hospitals won't do blood taking for private tests (phone first to check), so people may have to shop around. Since the NHS is so strapped for cash I don't understand why they don't all do it for private testing!

[bluebug in reply to humanbean]

My local NHS hospital has a queue going out of the door any time you turn up for blood tests, which is why they don't do private tests. However Blue Horizon has a BMI unit within the same hospital that does blood tests.