The T3 blood test

[Icecold]

I was told by my go that I have to go private for this blood test, so why do I need my go to refer me?? Please help

[bantam12]

You don't need to be referred for a T3 blood test, you can send for a kit from Medichecks or Blue Horizon.

[Icecold in reply to bantam12]

Bantam12 thank you for that information just recently diagnosed with under active thyroid

[SlowDragon Administrator]

There's nothing on your profile. Are you diagnosed with thyroid problems? If so what

Are you on Levothyroxine, if so what dose. What were your previous results for thyroid and vitamins

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get both TPO and TG antibodies tested at least once .

[Icecold in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I have hypothyroidism my levothyroxin is only 50 mg as my doctors says it enough even though I still have all symptoms

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Icecold]

50mcg is only a starter dose, it should be increased in 25mcg steps, retesting 6-8 weeks later until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

NHS guidelines saying standard starter dose is 50mcgs

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/levot...

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

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

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased

[Icecold in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you slowdragon my go has not been helpful at all

[shaws Administrator in reply to Icecold]

He is ignorant. A TSH when we have hypo is not to be 'somewhere' in the range but 1 or below. They are poorly trained.

[Furface in reply to Icecold]

Please either change your Dr or surgery. With 50mg, you are unlikely to feel better, your Dr should be raising it regularly until you are not symptomatic and your TSH is under 1, your T4 in the top quarter of the range and preferably your T3 too. My Dr kept me on 50mg for a year with no raise (I was very ill and they didn't believe me), they know nothing about thyroid and need to learn. If you do your own research, there's a chance you can educate a willing Dr.

[Icecold in reply to Furface]

My gp is on YouTube and does a blog DR Renee but in truth when you hear her talking she sounds like she’s read this from a book if you look her up she’s the one who’s been treating me. I have had swollen feet and ankles for a number of weeks and they give me water tablets lol, that is how bad this surgery is I took everyone’s advice did my research and left today 😀

[Furface in reply to Icecold]

I also left my surgery, you are not alone! All the Drs did for me was a big fat zilch and they cannot interpret blood tests, kept telling me i was depressed no matter what i went in with. One of the drugs they had me on caused hypothyroidism, yet still they ignore me. Referred to Endo and he tried to stop my Adrenal Support which was keeping me alive (thankfully it wasnt up to him as i paid for it privately!). I am beginning to think that there is an overall plan to deprive patients of thyroid / adrenal treatment in this country as a way of population control.

[Icecold in reply to Furface]

You have no idea how right you are I am based in north London and it’s all as they say post code lottery lmao they are all a joke they don’t live with this illness and are quite stupid as they are not possibly train properly just feed up with them fobbing me off 😀

[Muffy]

Always have your thyroid blood tests as early in the day as possible, preferably around 8 / 8.30 a.m.

[Icecold in reply to Muffy]

My blood testing place opens at 9.30/10

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Icecold]

Be there before 9.30 to be first in queue

Insist on vitamin and antibodies tested too, plus FT3

[Muffy in reply to Icecold]

Would your hospital start earlier or is it too far away for you? My GP surgery blood testing starts later so I go to the hospital.

[Icecold]

My gps are crap they tell me that they can only do so much as the NHS have not given them funding and then trying to find out what I am entitled to is proving to be even more difficult

[Marz in reply to Icecold]

Am afraid with thyroid issues and the associated conditions - it is important to take control - read and read and become your own health advocate. Channel your thoughts and energy into finding solutions.

You may wish to look at The Whole 30 Eating Plan - I read your post on the other Forum about weightloss. 😊

[Dannyboi243op]

The NHS provide my T3 and the test is free???

[humanbean in reply to Dannyboi243op]

Then you're luckier than most. Getting Free T3 tested is very difficult these days for most people. Even if a GP asks for the test the labs routinely refuse - allegedly because it is only relevant in hyperthyroidism not hypothyroidism.

More and more people are getting told that the NHS has banned the prescribing of T3 - not true but they (the doctors) like to put off people when they can.

So, people who've never been prescribed T3 are told they can't have it, and those who do have it prescribed are having it taken off them.

[Dannyboi243op in reply to humanbean]

I have a letter stating that I can't tolerate throyixe and T3 is the only option...they can try but I def wouldn't let them. I put myself at risk to get them, so I kinda forced them. U can have T3 but U have to refuse throxine point blank its your legal right to have another option..and it via an endo and U have to stay with that endo.

[humanbean in reply to Dannyboi243op]

What you say may well be true. But there are plenty of patients who get nowhere saying these types of things to doctors.

[Icecold in reply to Dannyboi243op]

Well Danny I have to at pay most people on here! Good for you if you got it free you are in one of the wining post codes

[Dannyboi243op in reply to Icecold]

Oh I used to, but my T3 online was unstable and the NHS had to do it for safety reasons....I live in Kent and have to travel to London for my Endo and he's useless....

Dunno if it's anything to do with my HIV but they have a habit of informing HIV and treating me like a negative person, which can't be done ...I'm actually in process of trying g to take NHS to court as I don't believe their test correctly assess me , as I also take HC which brought my life back, T3 just sorted energy and bloods and nothing else..

So I had a bump y ride and wouldn't wish it on anyone..

[Icecold in reply to Dannyboi243op]

I’m sorry to hear they treat you badly, but I live in London and find they don’t wanna help with anything Either. If you are not happy with your Endo try researching for better hospital or ask to see someone else. That’s all I can say to try and help but I do now they have an amazing hiv unit called mildmay hospital may try them hope that helps. 😊

[Dannyboi243op]

On levothroxine I become irritc and put myself and others at risk, both sexually and aggressively , I can't control it and I get fat and useless..I'm 8.5 stone and gonna stay that way...hehehe

[Icecold]

Do you now what guys it seems to me that everyone on here is struggling in the own way with the doctors and the NHS maybe we should try and write and sign a petition and get as many people to sign it and send it to the government and see if we can make a change for the next generation of people who are going to get this illness??😊

[bantam12 in reply to Icecold]

Already been done many many many times.

[Furface in reply to Icecold]

Wish this would make a difference . . . . . even Elaine Smith MP Scotland who also has hypothyroidism had a fight to get T3 though she has it now. The rest of us have to buy from abroad or gradually go downhill and barely survive.

[Icecold]

Morning I have a question to ask everybody, I have been on 75 mg levothyroxin for about three weeks I am finding that my symptoms seem more aggressive, plus has any one here ever had swollen feet and ankles as mine have been like that for 6montjs can any one please give me some advice if this is normal as can’t get shoes on my feet. Thank you everyone

[Icecold]

Good evening everyone

I am just after some help my levothyroxin levels have been raised by my new gp to 75 mg is it normal to have swollen feet and ankles and be sleeping more, I got for a walk to the shops 5/10 mind from my house then come home and fall asleep for 2 hours when I got bed at 10pm and wake up 9.30 am please help?