T3 test

[Theresa72]

Just talked to my doctor today they said they don't check T3 because if the Tsh is normal they don't and won't

[Hidden]

Yes, that's their guidelines ... do a private test and get antibodies done at the same time, the NHS don't do those either if you are euthyroid.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

That's about right. If you want a full thyroid panel to see exactly what's going on then it's best to pay and get a Blue Horizon test done privately as Aspmama says.

[Fruitandnutcase]

That's right although in my case my she was abnormal as was my T4 and still they wouldn't do it even though I'm pretty sure it was requested by my endo on my blood request form.

I'm in remission from Graves an I don't bother with NHS blood tests any more - I use the Blue Horizon home fingerprick test.

I order it one day, it arrives the next, this week I posted one off on Monday morning and got the results in my email inbox on Wednesday morning. I buy the Thyroid 11 which includes B12 and Vitamin D as well as T3 and other interesting things - In fact all the tests I used to have to beg for and sometimes not even get 😉

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Amen, there's nothing like taking things into your own hands. The lack of begging must be really good for you, almost as good as thyroid hormone, because I feel positively euphoric when I organise my own tests.

And the added benefit is that I don't wait a month for 1) appt w gp to ask for a test, 2) appt w phlebotomist who is only in twice a week, 3) trying to get through on the phone at whatever they deem the correct time of day to ask for a copy of my results to be left (then the usual dance w the receptionist who tells me to call back at 2 or whatever for results and I have to say, no, I'm not calling 'for results' I'm calling to ask you to copy them at your leisure and leave them behind the desk and sometimes she doesn't even do that much), and finally 4) appt w gp to discuss results. Nightmare.

[Treepie in reply to puncturedbicycle]

True, but at around £90 a time many cannot afford it.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Treepie]

The BH thyroid function (tsh, t3, t4) costs £49 and yes, many cannot afford it. I'm saying that for me the expense is worth it, not that it is available for all. But considering for the purposes of maintenance (eg checking you're still on the right dose of meds) you only need one every 4-6mos, that would mean putting aside approx £10 per month to pay for the test, and even when I was on benefits I could manage that.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Good thinking. Like you say it isn't something you have to do every week. It is expensive (I use the thyroid 11 test) but I've decided I want to do it.

[humanbean in reply to Treepie]

Medichecks can be sometimes be cheaper.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to humanbean]

Good to know! I'll keep that in mind for next time.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to puncturedbicycle]

What I used to find most satisfying was sitting there at my appointments knowing in advance what they were likely to say about my bloods - there was no stress caused by wondering what they were going to find. I'd found it first

[Theresa72 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Im going to have to look into that also

[Glynisrose]

TSH is useless when you are on any form of thyroxine.