GP won't test outside TSH and T4

[Soupp]

The online kits are a bit too pricy for me to buy. Is there any way I can get my stubborn GP to test for T3, fT3, fT4, TgAb and TPO?

My GP insists that TSH and T4 are all that need to be screened/monitored and I've never actually been diagnosed with Hashimoto's etc. The moment my thyroid goiter and cysts appeared, and that was over 10 years ago when the left side had to be cut out as cancer preventative at 16. The same issue has cpme back as of last year on my remaining right half of my thyroid.

My vitamin and minerals have never been checked besides total iron count in all those years either.

My hospital doesn't test outside of TSH and T4 as well.

Any help?

[trelemorele]

Do you go on holiday to Spain or Turkey, Portugal?

You can do those tests very cheap there.

Otherwise I'm afraid you won't be able to convince/persuade your GP.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Try a different GP ?

Either within the practice or a different practice

Official document saying these vitamins should be tested

See Box 1. Towards end of article

Some possible causes of persistent symptoms in euthyroid patients on L-T4

You will see low vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 listed

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

Vitamin D test £28

Vitamindtest.org.uk

[SilverAvocado]

Another option is to pay for freeT3 only, rather than the full package, which will save a bit.

Other than that you are stick having to persuade. If you are more time rich, you can shop around GPs. Try every GP in the practice, and if none will help you go on to the next practice. Or just bombard them with visits asking to see an Endocrinologist. A further issue you have is that labs sometimes turn away freeT3 tests even when they get ordered.

It sounds like you've had complex problems with your thyroid and really should have comprehensive testing! It's possible you've just had bad luck, and there are slightly better doctors out there.

[SueHG]

The main problem is the GP convincing the lab to do a T3 test. One of my GPS didn't manage to do it another did to my surprise!