What test should I have?: Hi all, I'm hoping to... - Thyroid UK

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What test should I have?

Rubycubes profile image
4 Replies

Hi all,

I'm hoping to order a test kit this week via medichecks or blue horizon but unsure what to go for and of course finances an ever present issue.

I'm thinking of the thyroid plus 11 which is £99 but wondering if getting the one that includes rt3 would be most benefical although £59 more.

I have Hashi's, been on levothyroxine 4 years with no improvement at any point in symptoms, have not tried any other alternative meds, am 48, peri menopausal (on hrt) and recent basic gp thyroid tests indicate all is normal as is typical. Surgery and endo won't do any further tests (although they did check for celiac and b12 some time ago which again were of course normal) and has discharged me. Not especially bothered by that as it was an entirely useless exercise going to the appointments but I very much want to start improving myself.

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Rubycubes
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Ruby - rT3 is often a result of a high FT4 and low FT3. Have you had previous tests that indicate this? If not the extra expense may not be worth it, and of course it has to be a venous blood draw for rT3 (which you may have to pay for) as it can't be done by a fingerprick test.

Have you got any previous results you can share, to see if there are any clues there?

Hi Ruby.

Have you ever had blood tests from GP for Vitamin D, Folate and Ferritin? If not, why not ask? They can only say 'no' , but shouldn't. Mine was fine with it. I said I'd just learned that we Hypo 's can have absorption issues and as I'd never been tested for these could I have them done, she agreed and also agreed to urgent test. All low.

It may be worth also bearing in mind that not all GPs and hospital doctors will acknowledge patients private tests and I've heard of those who even get angry about them. Not good for patient / doctor relationship.

Post all your results with ranges on here, as Susie says, with dates of tests.

When you see GP take in a list of all your current symptoms and ask for them to be addressed.

Have you looked up deficiencies symptoms of B12 & Folate - also for Vitamin D. Have you any?

If you are tested for and found low in Folate and your B12 is low in range then you could ask your GP to test for Pernicious Anemia.

X🐥

Rubycubes profile image
Rubycubes in reply to Mary-intussuception

Gp did vit b12 test last month but it was normal, I asked for that as my mum has PA, both parents and one of two sisters hypothyroid and I'm only one with Hashi's (as far as we know) sis who isn't diagnosed has all symptoms however but results are normal of course.

My Last basic test 02/05/2017

Serum free t4 level 18.0 pmol/L (10.6-23.2)

Serum tsh level 1.53 mU/L (0.3-4.2)

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply to Rubycubes

Yes. I can see why your GP is happy with those results. So you do need to list your symptoms and ask GP for them to be addressed.

My health authority only does TSH now for patients on Levothyroxine. Mine was 1.94 in April 2017 and GP was happy with that as my Endo wrote in 2012 that my target TSH is 2.

I think you really do need to get your other nutrient levels tested by GP. Don't know your symptoms so can't comment.

Have all of your relatives been tested for Thyroid Antibodies? If not, surely it is about time they were.

Has anyone of you had an Ultrasound scan of the Thyroid?

My B12 in April was mid-range but my others were low. So I am asking GP to test for Pernicious Anemia, I will ask if possible to have MMA test. Don't know what response willbe. Can only ask!

X

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