Can any tell me where I can get my T3 and T4 tested. My doctor refuses to do it because of the cost. Had underactive Thyroid for 4 years not fell terrible weight gain, tired all the time cannot sleep at night. Eat healthy work out and still gaining. Please can anyone out there help me. Im so depressed with feeling like this every day.
Thanks Tracey Derbyshire
Try Blue Horizon or Medichecks.The latter have offers on Thursdays.You can try finger prick at home,or go to a private hospital with the oack they send.I think Blue Horizon has an option of a nurse home visit. Go via Thyroid UK site and i think it gets a contribution.
Thankyou will check them out
change your GP or GP practice.There's no excuse for this.Its not an expensive test & if you have experienced transient underactive hypothyroidism & feel a return of symptoms,you need testing.
Thankyou. Have found this specialist will have to pay but if get results will be worth it.
If you can cancel your appointment then it might save you a lot of money - unless you want the reassurance of seeing a specialist. You might have BH or Medichecks tests, post the results here for comment, and then decide if you want to go ahead and spend the money on a specialist? traceybay47
I've had a similar problem, not woth my GP but with NHS lab. they only tested my TSH, refused to do t3 and t4 that my GP asked for. I have just paid to have a blood test done at a local private hospital. Its very wrong I know, we are entitled to the tests that are requested, very frustrating. I hope you get something sorted, good luck.
Have not made appointment yet just looking for help doctors no help. Also read too much excercise not good for underactive thyroids. Have started a gluten free diet will see how that goes.
If you have antibodies present in your body (hashimoto's) an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease - going gluten-free can help reduce the antibodies.
If you don't have Hashimoto's I dont think it necessary to go gluten-free but other members will respond also.
Thyroid UK has a very good page on private testing: here is the link:
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
I agree with Naomi that you should see a different doctor if you are having symptoms which are thyroid related. What reason did the doctor give for refusing? What does he think is wrong with you?
When I go for my yearly check up they just says its normal. Asked for T3 T4 testing told me cost the NHS to much so wont do it because levels normal but still feel down all the time.
Don't accept the 'normal' message if you are feeling unwell. Ask for a copy of your latest TSH result, plus the ranges (the numbers in brackets) and post it here, with any other tests you may have had done. You have a right to a copy under the Data Protection Act. If your TSH is between 4 and 10, your doctor is able to prescribe Levothyroxine for a trial period to see if symptoms improve. Here is the extract from the guidelines:
'If TSH is between 4 and 10 mU/L and FT4 is within the normal range
In people aged less than 65 years with symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, consider a trial of LT4 and assess response to treatment 3–4 months after TSH stabilises within the reference range — see the section on Prescribing information for further information on initiation and titration of LT4. If there is no improvement in symptoms, stop LT4. '
It is Free T4 and Free T3 which gives more information rather than T3 and T4. See the following link for explanation.
If you can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
You need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG antibodies
Essential to also test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
These tests include all these
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.
Get tests done first, before next step.
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
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