Blood test

[liz1946]

I’m due my thyroid blood test in 2 weeks time, can someone please list all results I need to ask for. I am taking 100mcg thyroxine but still have all the symptoms. I can hardly walk somedays with my stiff knees and find it hard to go through the day without sleeping but then struggle to sleep at night. I’m 71 now and have been under active thyroid for the past 10 years+. Also my surgery say I do not have to fast before my blood test with the new guide lines? Is this correct. Thank you in advance.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ideally you need

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Also useful because they need to be optimal (not just in range) for thyroid hormone to work properly

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Don't bother discussing whether you need to fast or not. It's a patient to patient tip. Eating lowers TSH and if you are looking to avoid a reduction I. Levo or looking for an increase then you need TSH to be as high as possible. Also, the earliest appointment of the day is best, TSH is highest early in the morning and lowers throughout the day. Also advised is to leave off Levo for 24 hours, take after the blood draw and again we don't discuss that with GP or phlebotomist.

[liz1946 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks so much for your help, I came off my statins some time ago as they were slowly killing me, I have been given bezalip mono slow release which seem to me ok. Also I was vitamin D deficient so had a 3 month course of medication for that. Dr assured me I should be topped up and fine now, needless to say I wasn’t given another blood test and feel much the same 😩 why is it we can’t get our treatment right I despair. I also have osteoarthritis in my right knee and a bakers cyst in the left one, my legs feel like there carrying concrete wellies, it’s very depressing.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to liz1946]

You can do a private fingerprick blood spot test for Vit D with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/index.html which I highly recommend if your GP hasn't retested your level. The Vit D Council recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L. The government recommends everyone supplements through the winter, and you Amy even need a maintenance dose all year round, I certainly do.

Post your new level for comment and suggestions for a D3 supplement and important cofactors.

[Marz]

Sadly all the much needed tests are rarely done under the NHS. These are the tests you need - TSH - FT4 - FT3 Thyroid antibodies TPO & Tg. Also B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD.

Reading your post of two years ago I see you were taking statins. If so you may be suffering side effects like muscle weakness causing your knees to hurt. Or Low VitD 😊

Private Home Testing kits are available through Thyroid UK - link below.

thyroiduk.org

[liz1946 in reply to Marz]

Thank you so much for your reply, my above post should have come to you with regard to statins and vit D, I really appreciate your advice. If I get no joy with my bloods this time I will perhaps get a private blood test although I understand they don’t come cheap 😩

[Marz in reply to liz1946]

They have Special Offers on Thursdays which are pisted on the Forum. Click onto the link I gave you - then Click onto ABOUT TESTING on the menu and you will see Blue Horizon and others with all the details of the various packages and prices.

I live in Greece - TSH covered but the rest I pay for 😊

[Marz in reply to liz1946]

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

Now on PC so can post link for Private Testing

[liz1946]

Thanks so much if I am not happy with my next blood test I will definitely be looking into using them. liz