2 blood tests and I've been asked to come back for a 3rd time - to see if the ones that are 'borderline and low' have sorted themselves out.

[Music1]

So I went to my locum complaining of extreme lower back pain and fatigue etc. I have hashimotos and Endometriosis. I had blood tests done 2 weeks ago that showed 'lower than normal levels or borderline' for my renal test, also my glucose had not been done correctly so I was asked to come back and get them repeated.

Test 2 - the nurse clicked a whole range of tests to cover those that may have been missed or were 'borderline/ too low such as my renal test etc.

I had another call this evening to ask me to come back for a 3rd blood test in week 3 to see if my 'renal results' would 'sort themselves out' and also to let me know I now had raised ESR.

My question being - Should I keep going back for the same tests over and over again and retested week after week to see if they have changed etc. If I have something surely a week wouldn't get rid of it so quickly? I have a real phobia of needles and bloods, so to sit there week after week and get told this is borderline/ too low etc. but can I 'just come back again to confirm/ do it again' just fills me with dread. Many thanks.

2 tests in 2 weeks with the same results, so why do I need them again a 3rd time to confirm as now they've thrown in a low ESR concern? Is this normal practice.

Many thanks in advance guys. If I've got something I wish they would just advise or treat or suggest something rather than a 3rd confirmation/ bunch of tests. I know it's nearly Halloween but seriously, if you saw the amount of blood I've given with the past 2 tests you'd think I was a 'unique blood type' and it was being sold or something

[ITYFIALMCTT]

If your ESR is raised then that tends to indicate that you have something that is creating inflammation.

And, it's a complete pest, but some blood markers do sort themselves out after a week or so and it's the repeated readings at a particular level that indicates it might be one thing rather than another, or that it's probably not something that's self-limiting.

With really bad back pain, if there are any ? renal results, they'll want to make especially sure that your kidney function is OK or be nicely quick off the mark to refer you to someone if there are ? indications that it isn't. Endometriosis is one of those conditions that can influence so much (as you will know far better than I do) and I'm pleased that they're taking your symptoms so seriously tho' it's obviously miserable for you to have to do this repeat blood testing.

I hope there's a clear diagnosis or treatment path for you after this next round of tests.

[Music1 in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

Thank you for explaining about blood markers and the possibility that they can sort themselves out etc. I simply thought if 2 results came back roughly the same they could consider how best to treat it, or ask me to come back in maybe a month to retest. I think ESR was possibly a new thing the different nurse clicked last week and possibly wasn't tested previously. She went mad clicking loads of boxes and took so much blood. I said "take what you need because this is it".

Thanks for making me feel a bit better. I thought they were possibly 'a little incompetent' for doing repeat bloods on the same things.

I hope this is the third and final round of bloods. They should just fit me with a tap I wasn't sure this many tests was 'normal' so thank you. Best wishes x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you still taking just 25mcgs Levo? What was your thyroid blood test results after 6 weeks on 25mcgs

Dose should be increased in 25mcgs steps until TSH is around one

You have high antibodies you say, so Hashimoto's

Hashimoto's very often affects the gut, leading to low stomach acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. What were the results and ranges.

With Hashimoto's very many of us need to be strictly gluten free

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

[Music1 in reply to SlowDragon]

No, I saw the Endo at the hospital who said "why am I seeing you, I don't need to" and he promptly took me off his books. He did increase Levo to 50mg as he said 25mg wasn't doing anything and was a 'starter dose' and laughed. He said there was nothing he could do to lower the antibodies and my GP hasn't tested for antibodies despite me asking them to do that in the last 2 blood tests. My locum said "we don't test for that, we don't have to".

I have been strictly gluten free for maybe 7 weeks now and have noticed a difference to be honest. I haven't been given any print out of levels - but just asked to come in again as my renal is still 'below' and my ESR is raised. Frustrated.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Music1]

You are legally entitled to copies of your own blood tests

How long since you increased to 50mcgs?

Retest after 6-8 weeks

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking but can be more effective and convenient at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

looks like you need to do your own full Thyroid and vitamin tests (like 100's of us on here)

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. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw or

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. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

[Music1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, I think you may be right in me having to do my own tests from now on.

I used to take at 7:30am but have now changed it to 11pm. I was feeling so exhausted in the morning I would just drop off to sleep until midday. I've been on 50mg for maybe a week, after my Endo discharged me. Will look into getting my blood results from GP next week. It's rubbish getting phone calls for a 'recall'. Thanks for advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Music1]

So the night before retest do NOT take Levo at bedtime. Delay until,after blood test (ideally test by 9am or earlier if possible )

You can still take next dose that evening, T4 is storage hormone