recommended blood tests? seeing doc tomorrow. I want to request everything!!!!

[KornishPiskie]

Hi Guys,

I wanted to double check tests to ask for:

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies: Tpo and tpab?

Vit B12

Vit D

Ferritin

Serum Iron

saturation %

Lymes disease

Epstein Barr virus

What am I missing?

TIA!

[Nanaedake]

While you're at it, why don't you get your blood glucose levels tested too? Doc will probs only do that if you are overweight and lacking in exercise or have a close family member with diabetes or some other risk factor but if you think its relevant you could ask.

[KornishPiskie in reply to Nanaedake]

yes! Hba1c?

[Nanaedake in reply to KornishPiskie]

Yes.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Folate (it works with B12), ask for full blood count, iron panel and Haemoglobin, and if you feel like pushing try for selenium and zinc.

I'll be amazed if you get them all

[KornishPiskie in reply to SeasideSusie]

yes thank you. Folate

[Clutter]

KornishPiskie,

I hope you can explain why you think you need all of those tests if your GP asks.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies may be tested but thyroglobulin antibodies aren't usually tested in primary care. FT3 is rarely tested in primary care now unless TSH is suppressed.

[KornishPiskie in reply to Clutter]

I always get my Ft3 tested as Im on NDT. I have been very sick for a very long time and my doctor knows this. It looks most likely to be a structural/ muscular issue (I have tmj neck issues and now constant tinnitus) I am appealing to her as I am 40 and dont have children and want children. I have terrible anxiety. She wants to test my cortisol I know blood test is no good but she may be open to finding some answers after she has seen what I have been through. My cousin was also recently diagnosed as folate deficient (along with her thyroid problems)

[Nanaedake in reply to KornishPiskie]

Perhaps in that case you should also check for intrinsic factor although the absence doesn't neccessarily rule out pernicious anaemia. Some of the symptoms you describe above could be attributed to vitamin b12 deficiency, especially tinnitus.

The NHS B12 blood test only tests for total B12 and preferably you need the active B12 blood test too which you can get privately. Thyroid UK website lists reputable laboratories who offer online testing. You will see NHS choices website gives some information about NHS B12 testing on their website. The Pernicious Anaemia Society UK website will give you more information about B deficiencies and how to get a diagnosis. Get in touch with them if you need advice.

If you find you have thyroid antibodies then a gluten free diet can be a good way forward, many find it helps. You could test for Caeliac disease but it's not a conclusive test so might be best to rule out other things first. Check kidneys and liver to see how they are functioning.

[Gambit62 in reply to Nanaedake]

although active B12 has one advantage over serum B12 - it can detect an imbalance between B12 bound to transcobalamin (available to cells) from B12 bound to heptacorin (for storage in liver) - this is actually very rare. both just measure amounts in blood and say nothing about what is happening at the cell level.

Compliementary tests are MMA and homocysteine - both of which will be raised if B12 isn't getting through to cells, either because there isn't enough in your blood or because of something else.

[Nanaedake in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit62, that's really useful to know. Will NHS test MMA and homocysteine?

[Gambit62 in reply to Nanaedake]

generally not outside a hospital - the haematology department at St Thomas's in London uses 3 test for its diagnositic routines and does do some private testing.

[Nanaedake in reply to Gambit62]

So, you would have to get a referral to haematology such as at St Thomas if pernicious anaemia were suspected but not conclusive from GP blood tests?

[Gambit62 in reply to Nanaedake]

pernicious anaemia is a possible cause of a B12 deficiency - the test for PA as a specific cause is IFA but its a very flaky test.

St Thomas do test privately as well so don't think it requires a referral now - however your GP can refer you to local haematology who can also do the tests.

Sorry - aware that this thread is getting slightly highjacked - much more info on the PAS forum

healthunlocked.com/pasoc