Blood Test Advice

[v6mikey1]

Hi.

I am going to arrange to have some independent blood tests either through Blue Horizons or Medichecks. Any advice on either Medichecks or Blue Horizon?

As my TSH is high and T4 is normal do you think I will need to have rT3 checked?

Or advice on which package I should do would be great.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

v6mikey1 There isn't really any difference between BH and Medichecks, they both use accredited labs, often the same one. So go by price. At the moment Medichecks has a discount of 15% until 24th March, a sort of introductory bonus - check out ThyroidUK's testing page here thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

If your TSH is high and FT4 normal, that doesn't suggest rT3. FT4 would be very high and FT3 low to suggest rT3.

If you want vitamins and minerals tested (always advised if not already done) as well as TSH, FT4, FT3, TPO and TG antibodies (antibody tests advised if not already done), then go for Blue Horizon Thyroid Plus Eleven or Medichecks Thyroid Check Ultra Vit. Just look through the tests offered and see what you want testing.

[Salphy]

Have used both recently, both used the same lab. Blue horizon were quicker but I think only because for the test I had with medichecks they had to contact me to ask when my last period was so it took an extra day to get the doctors comments. The doctors comments were more personal and noted previous diagnoses and commented appropriately. Blue horizon comments seemed to be more generic and pre-written (I got the same comments word for word on 2 tests which covered all circumstances i.e if your diagnosed you may need an increase, if not you may need meds.)

Not a big thing if you're going to discuss them with your own gp anyway.

If you're doing the finger prick route then I preferred medichecks lancets. They seemed to make me bleed more and easier so I used less. But that could just be that we're getting better at it so I don't know if anyone else agrees.

Otherwise if you're going for blood draw then like Susie said, go for the best price

One thing I will say is that thinking it was all in my head, at first I went for the basic thyroid +3 (tsh, t4 and t3) it came back similar to you high tsh, normal t4 normal t3 so then I had to get antibodies b12 vit d ferritin and folate. I really wish I'd have just gone straight for the fuller picture and saved myself money on the first test. But it will all depend on what your gp has already done and your circumstances