U.K. Blood tests

[ColleenT]

Hi everyone can I ask where's the best place to get blood tests? My GP will only test TSH. Thank you.

[startagaingirl]

Hi Colleen, check this out from our "parent" site

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[bluebug]

There is no best place but the companies commonly used here are:

1. Blue Horizon - they do finger prick tests and you can go to a private hospital to have venous withdrawal, which costs more.

2. Medichecks - They do a different mixture of tests which are again finger prick and venous withdrawal at a private clinics. I haven't used them.

3. City Assays - this if for vitamin D testing and they are actually an NHS Trust - Sandwell and West Birmingham hospitals.

For proper links - thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Some GPs are aware that these companies use accredited labs including NHS labs doing private work, while other GPs think all private tests are suspect. In the latter case the GP will repeat the test if s/he decides the private lab MUST be wrong. Therefore if you are found to seriously vitamin/mineral deficient do not supplement at all until you have been seen by your GP.

[Tateanne]

Hi

My GP wouldn't test either for t3 or t4. However when she went on maternity leave and I saw another GP in the same practice, she would. So I think it's all down to their discretion