Finger prick test advice please

[Cooper74]

Hi I've finally plucked up the courage to order a Medichecks kit because quite frankly I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, and fed up of being plied with antidepressants and made to feel like this is all in my head. Could I just ask as I believe it's best to fast before doing this test roughly what time the night before I should stop eating? I am aiming to do the test on Monday morning when I get up (around 7.30ish). Thanks in advance

[Rennixon]

Hi

Good for you, it really is simple, & you get the results really quick.

So take all your medication the day before & have nothing say after your evening meal apart from water ( that's no meds either) definitely nothing after midnight. It's important to be hydrated as this could affect your ability to collect the sample.

On Monday get up & prepare your test kit, make sure you read all the instructions & have everything to hand. I soak my hands in warm soapy water for about 5 mins, this helps soften the skin & get the blood flowing. The first prick is the hardest, but honestly once you've done it it's not as awful experience as you think.

Good luck, but I know you'll be fine

[Cooper74 in reply to Rennixon]

Thanks that's great! I'm not taking any thyroid related medication just amytriptyline for so-called depression or now possible CFS (in other words we don't know what the heck is wrong but can't possibly be thyroid because your TSH is within range grrr!). Determined not to be fobbed off when I know my body better than my GP does!

[Rennixon in reply to Cooper74]

Oh I know, I was given amitriptyline too! I've had so many tests for this & that, when we all know it's the thyroid that's the problem! Hopefully these test results will show something & with the knowledge from this forum you'll be better equipped to take on the medics.

[shaws Administrator]

You can eat up until you go to bed. Make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before test.

They are very happy to prescribe anti-d's due to your clinical symptom but ignore it is also a symptom of hypo and only use the TSH to decide whether or not the person is hypo. The should go back to how it used to be done before blood tests were introduced. They'd have happier patients with lessened clinical symptoms at the very least - the aim being to have no symptoms.