thinks all the results from Private blood tests

[jib70]

Hello. I posted a week or two ago about some problems I have. It was recommended or suggested I get some private blood tests done

What is the process if I get these done - do I present the results to my GP or sit on them?

She (my GP) has referred me to an endo, but that only because I stressed my symptoms and a referral could take months I know.

Be glad of advice. Actually after a couple of weeks of much energy and feeling great this week I've been really low, no energy at all now, plus other symptoms not worth listing.

Can anyone advise about these blood tests please? j x

[humanbean]

If your results include nutrient levels that show up as not optimal, then you could start to improve those with suitable supplements. In fact you would be better off supplementing nutrients yourself in many cases anyway. Doctors have no training in nutrition, tend to ignore low levels, and usually prescribe doses that are far too low to achieve anything.

If your thyroid results are not optimal then it is the luck of the draw what the doctor will do. They may dismiss the results. They may pay attention but insist on doing their own. They might act on the results. If your results are very bad they may try to bring your endo appointment forward - miracles do (allegedly) sometimes happen.

[jib70 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for such a prompt response.

I really don't know what to do. It has been suggested it may be my pituatary/parathyroid that isn't working properly, but I do find everything relating to the thyroid so confusing when reading posts.

I would like my endo appointment (on the NHS could be months yet) brought forward, but think I need something positive to back up insisting on this - hence considering paying for private blood tests, not easy to do on a restricted pension, so need to know if this would be a worthwhile thing to do. j x

[Judithdalston]

Post results on this forum for advice. From personal experience, and also many members', some ( or perhaps should say most) Gps and some endocrinologists ignore the results...perhaps they are intimidated by the unfamiliar FT3 and two autoimmune antibodies tests, plus those Vit/ min levels, when they are so used to TSH. Some doctors say they are inaccurate, labs are poor quality, pinpricks tests unreliable etc.... perhaps you need a med. increase. You might be able to self medicate at least supplements if waiting for endo.appointment; personally since by Gp surgery does bare minimal related to hypothyroidism and most recent fibromyalgia diagnosis I think the private test at least starts you off, makes you feel proactive with your own wellbeing...look for Thursday offers at the labs.

[jib70 in reply to Judithdalston]

Thank you, I will look out for Thursday offers then.

I do take over the counter vitamin/mineral supplements - is it a good idea to stop these a few days before having the tests? Can they influence the results? I have no thyroid meds.

[Judithdalston in reply to jib70]

You might find your 'over the counter' supplements may not be good enough ie not high enough dose or correct compound that body can use easily, or worse mixed with for eg iron or calcium which effectively blocks the rest of the vits/ mins getting thru to blood stream...but if need d you will be helped here.

[Judithdalston in reply to jib70]

Sorry forgot you query about not taking supplements before tests- the Bs should be stopped 3/4 days before ( biotin particularly bad).

[helvella in reply to Judithdalston]

Do we have any evidence that B vitamins other than biotin interfere with thyroid tests (TSH, FT4, FT3 or, for completeness, rT3)?

[Judithdalston in reply to helvella]

No it was more if taking B combo likely to have biotin in, and you might not know unless read 'small print'!

[helvella in reply to Judithdalston]

Thank you for clarifying.

[jib70 in reply to helvella]

I so appreciate the help given on this site but it makes me realise my ignorance about the thyroid.

Is there some recommended literature I could study to increase my knowledge as I find so much I don't understand even though I try to keep up.

All I have ever been aware of is hypo or hyper, but I realise now it goes much deeper and can be so much more complicated than that.

I want to be informed, I need to understand, when I read posts here I'm ashamed at my lack of knowledge. I do think this leaves me in a very poor position when dealing with the medical profession. Thanks all.

[helvella in reply to jib70]

The most obvious place to start is Thyroid UK!

thyroiduk.org.uk/

One source which some find useful is Thyroid Manager:

thyroidmanager.org/

Can be heavy going and very much in the establishment camp, but has an awful lot in it. (Free registration appears to be required now.)

Other than these, I find it very difficult to make any recommendations. I have been immersed in thyroid for over a decade and find it very difficult to judge anything now.

[jib70 in reply to helvella]

Thanks for your reply. I have joined Thyroid UK now and hope it leads me to understand more.