Tests

[debbiej123]

Can anyone tell me what NHS GP,s test for as standard thyroid tests? I have Hypothyroidism and suffer with insomnia and want to know what i can do , but really dont know what im asking doctor for. Do not understand the whole testing system

[shaws Administrator]

Unfortunately, we have to read and learn for ouselves in order to recover and feel much better.

This is a list of clinical symptoms and tick off the ones you have:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

The aim of levothyroxine is to alleviate all symptoms so you should have regular increases.

I assume you are newly diagnosed so your GP should take a blood test every six weeks with an increase in levothyroxine until you feel well. Not until the TSH is somewhere in the range. We need a TSH of around 1 and some need it suppressed.

When next test is due it should be the very earliest possible and fasting (you can drink water). Also allow 24 hour gap between your dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. This keeps the TSH highest as doctors are apt to adjust doses according to the whereabouts of the TSH - wrong.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post for comments. Levo should be taken on an empty stomach, morning with one full glass of water and wait for about an hour before eating. Or bedtime, as long as you've an empty stomach as food interferes with the uptake.

If doctor hasn't tested B12, Vit D, iron, ferritn and folate ask for these to be done as we can be deficient.

[debbiej123 in reply to shaws]

Thank you for the advice, i have been diagnosed for about 10 years but just lately been feeling worse and developing other illnesses so time to learn more.

[shaws Administrator in reply to debbiej123]

You must request a new blood test from the GP, or if you prefer TUK has recommended labs which will do them for you.

Some doctors keep the TSH 'within the range' but we need it around ! or lower.

The blood test should be the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow 24 hours gap between your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards.

You want TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. If the antibodies have been negative in the past you don't need them again. We can be deficient in vitamins/minerals so ask also for Vit D, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate at the same time as thyroid ones.

Get a print-out from the surgery with the ranges and post on a new question for comments.

[Salphy]

Hi, I'm no expert and others will be able to advise better when they get chance but I think the standard NHS tests are for TSH and FT4.

As I understand it, TSH is produced by the pituitary glad to tell the thyroid how much hormone to produce.

You then produce FT4 and convert that to FT3 which is the active thyroid hormone.

I don't think gp's routinely test FT3 unless your other levels are low and you have a good gp

If you have a look on bluehorizonmedical's website you can see what's included in their private thyroid tests from basic to advanced to get an idea of what to ask for.

I know it's quite important to have your vitamin levels optimal for your thyroid and levo to work properly and the main ones I was recommended to get checked were Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Ferritin and Folate.

Like I say others will be able to give better advice when they get chance but hope this helps in the meantime x

[debbiej123]

More of an expert than me, thanks for help X

[jane-c]

I had an NHS blood test in Sept & they tested both my TSH & FT4. When I tested 8 weeks later the lab did not test my FT4 as my TSH was in range. This is despite the fact my GP had written exactly the same request on both blood test forms!! I think the labs try to do as few tests as possible😠

[Jackiez in reply to jane-c]

I think that's true, my GP has submitted blood test requests in the past which have been rejected by the lab. It may vary around the country, I'm in Wales, but there are rules regarding how frequently certain things are tested for. For example, if you get an in range B12 result they won't test it again for 12 months! 😳