How do I request these blood tests if they don't show on the form

[lorilou107]

After a partial thyroidectomy on Monday I have been requested to get bloods redone on 14th August so 2 weeks after the operation. As consultant had only selected TSH and T4 I asked if, as my insurance company were paying I could have more tests done.

I emailed the consultant and he said that I should feel free to tick any boxes I want to on the blood test form. He didn't seem to know how I would go about getting the ones that are not showing on the blood form and said they might be specialised ones that an endocrinologist would order. I'm attaching a copy of the blood test form so perhaps you can tell me what, other than the TPOAb test, I could select. Can I ask for a free T3 and or rt3 rt4 to be added to the test if not showing up on the form?

Thanks for your help

Lori xx

[shaws Administrator]

Ask Ins. company if it will pay for Private Test re Thyroid from reputable labs as you are having a partial thyroidectomy and if they say yes you can have TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. The above form only states TSH and FT4. You can tell them the cost. I'll give you a link to the recommended labs:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Blue Horizon and Medichecks are popular.

These are home pin-prick tests which can be done at the earliest, fasting (you can drink water) at the very earliest a.m. If hospital has given you thyroid hormone replacement, you'd allow 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

If they aren't agreeable and you can afford it, you can do private tests on your own.

You can tick Vid D, iron, ferritin and folate on your above form.

[bantam12]

Write them in the Miscellaneous Tests section but do you know what they are and why you are asking for them ? Random tests that may have been mentioned on the forum may not be appropriate for your situation.

[lorilou107 in reply to bantam12]

They're to test for reverse T3 TgAb = Antithyroglobulin antibodies if the tsh is above 2 they wil see if T3s and t4s are low and then do the test TgAb = Antithyroglobulin antibodies. Consultant said if I have Hashis it will show up on the part of the thyroid that has been removed, is this true?

I will ask my insurance company about the tests.

Thank you

X

[humanbean]

There is no such thing as rt4 (reverse T4).

Reverse T3 exists and it can be tested for. I'm not sure how many doctors in the UK are familiar with such a test, and I doubt many would know what to do with a result if they got one.

[lorilou107 in reply to humanbean]

Oh dear, that doesn't sound promising

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to lorilou107]

I am not aware that any UK lab (other than research labs) actually runs reverse T3 tests. I seem to remember that the private test samples are sent abroad (to the USA?) for analysis.

[lorilou107 in reply to helvella]

Hi, thanks for giving me this information. The had no idea that they have to be sent away x

[lorilou107]

Well finally had my bloods retested after a partial thyroidectomy on 7th August. Ent guy confirmed I could also request antibodies and T3 after only selecting tsh and T4 on the form. Certainly threw the phlebotomist who had no idea how to test for T3 so that bodes well! ! I will get the results of the thyroidectomy and the bloods next week. Have been so hungry since operation and can't stop wanting to eat and also am either really cold or dripping (and I mean dripping ) hot that I can barely cope. Am wondering if thyroid is going the other way sometimes now. Is this possible?

Lori

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