Fingerprick testing - is it accurate, reliable and consistent?

[Kennedois]

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this. Surgery won't test for ft3 any longer, so, like many, I'm pondering going down the private route. Do any of you track your results and dosing using fingerprick test results? Would you endorse it? Many thanks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Kennedois I have been using Blue Horizon fingerprick tests for a couple of years. During that time there have been many dose changes as I am tracking levels due to adding T3 and reducing Levo. All the tests results have come back as expected following dose changes.

Both Blue Horizon and Medichecks use accredited labs, as does the NHS.

[Kennedois in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for that, I think I'll go ahead.

[Sewnsew]

I've used Blue Horizon but at the moment Medichecks have the best price for TSH FT3 FT4, I think it's about £39, they were doing an offer, Thyroid Thursday's, but that may have finished now. Finger pricks work fine, just follow their instructions.

I've never managed to get my T3 tested on the NHS!

[Kennedois in reply to Sewnsew]

I'll look into that, many thanks.

[humanbean]

I think there could be problems with results if people have to pump their fingers, or really milk their fingers, to get enough blood. I think doing this alters the biochemistry of the blood, and could damage the blood cells, and so alters the results.

I've never done finger-prick testing, but I do sometimes have problems getting blood to stop coming out if I cut myself. I think this is caused by me taking high-strength fish oil capsules and/or garlic capsules. Both seem to thin my blood quite a bit.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to humanbean]

Kennedois HumanBean is correct. I think the instructions say not to squeeze the blood out as it can damage the blood cells.

I found that if I left off my Vit D/K2 supplement for about 5 days, my blood runs easier for some reason. K2 isn't supposed to be the blood clotting form form of Vit K, that is K1, but it does make a difference for me.

Also, drink plenty of water the day before and on the morning of the test. Have a bowl of hot water handy and swish your hand in it until your a fingers go red. Stand on a stool so your can hold your arm straight down when collecting the blood, and if it's flowing well enough it will drip from your finger into the tube. If it stops, repeat with the hot water again. I found the best place to prick is middle finger, on the side near the nail bed rather than the tip.

[Kennedois in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes - I've been doing a bit of research and it seems there are some questions over the consistency achievable from just a few of drops and also variability between each of those drops! I'm tempted to have a test done but on the other hand - they're not that cheap and I don't want to have one panel done to then feel I need to repeat it to validate it! Will mull it over!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Kennedois]

Can you get a venous blood draw then? From your surgery or hospital? If not Blue Horizon do a home phlebotomy service for, I think, £40. It would put your mind at ease if you're unsure about the fingerprick test.

[nightingale-56 in reply to SeasideSusie]

SeasideSusie , my son and I have had blood taken by a nurse at home for Blue Horizon this morning. The actual price was £45, whereas I thought it was advertised as £40. If it wasn't for the fact that my son is not good in noisy/busy places I would have used Medichecks at fairly local place, as they are half the price for the phlebotomy service.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to nightingale-56]

nightingale-56 I had BH home phlebotomy in January and I can't remember now what I paid, but it does say £45 on their website now. Unfortunately Medichecks don't cover my area for home phlebotomy or anywhere near

BH's nurse had to travel 3 hours from south to north Wales.

[nightingale-56 in reply to SeasideSusie]

The nurse we had travelled for about half an hour. If it wasn't for the fact that I prefer it for my son,I would go elsewhere. Our practice nurse is lovely and I would prefer that she did it for my son, but have asked and they won't do privately.