Fasting or non F Blood Test

[mfrie]

I passed a new memory test and so wasn't applicable for clinical trial. However, I am still v forgetful so asked GP for blood test. Scheduled for 24 Aug. I notice from the slip of paper he gave me to hand to the nurse he ticked the 'non fasting' box. Does that seem ok to u? If wrong should I just go in fasting? Blood test is for vitamins and thyroid.

[Mary-intussuception]

Personally, I would fast. What time is the appointment? Hopefully early morning.

If you can go in anytime then I would go in as early as possible. Or try to change it for an 8.30 or 9am? Ask for a phone call if an early morning cancellation is made?

What Thyroid tests have been requested?

Is Vitamin D being done?

[shaws Administrator]

The professionals are unaware that we, the patient, gets better results by fasting. It can also make a huge difference between being undiagnosed or not or under-medicated.

I hope the appoointment for the blood test is at the very earliest possible, if not change to an earlier one as it will be more beneficial for you. The TSH is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day so could mean you remain undiagnosed as GP will only take into consideration the TSH and maybe T4.

Also take levo with one full glass of water each a.m or p.m. if you prefer but still allow a 24 hour gap between dose and test. PM dose will have to be missed - take after test and night dose as usual.

Also request B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Deficiencies in these also cause symptoms.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

mfrie

If your appointment is later than 9am then find an excuse to cancel and rearrange for another day, no later than that time.

Eating can affect TSH, as can coffee. Best to delay breakfast and have water only before your test.

If you take any supplements then leave off the following

B Complex or Biotin - leave off for 3-5 days beforehand

Iron or eating liver - leave off for 1 week before hand

Any other supplements don't take until after the test.

If you already take Levothyroxine, leave off for 24 hours.

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

[mfrie in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thks susie.

[mfrie in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, had my blood test and due to go in for my results this week. If I am told by receptionist "they are fine. U don't need to see the dr. " how can I 'insist' that I get a copy. Are we definitely entitled to have access to the results? I am sure she will make me see the doc personally. Help please, I don't want to screw it up. A bit nervous.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to mfrie]

mfrie

This is what I do when I go to the surgery to pick up my results

"Good Morning < name> , I had some blood tests for < whatever > last week, can I have a print out of the results please".

I am given them there and then.

So just do that, ask at the reception desk. If you are told "They are fine" then you say

"That's good news, now can I have a print out please".

If the receptionist isn't willing, there may follow a couple of scenarios

Her: "What do you want them for, I've told you they are fine"

You: "I want them for my own records"

Her: "I've told you they are fine"

You: "That's as maybe, but I still want a copy for my own records"

Her: "What do you want them for"

You: "I've told you, I want them for my own records" - do not give any further explanation, it's not necessary and you are not obliged to

Her: "You need to see the doctor"

You: "Well if they're fine, I see no need to take up an appointment that someone else may need"

Any further objections and you say

"I am legally entitled under The General Data Protection Regulations and the Data Protection Act 2018 to have a copy of my medical records. I'm sure nobody here wants to break the law, so can I please have a print out of my results".

If any further problems you say

"Can I speak to the Practice Manager please".

If absolutely necessary (and it shouldn't come to this) you can put in a Subject Access Request.

Proof that you can have your medical records (which includes your results) free of charge. They cannot charge you for paper or ink, there is no charge.

BMA article bma.org.uk/advice/employmen...

[mfrie]

Thks susie. Picked up blood test results with little fuss but got them. Sadly. they r not all of the ones I asked for. The ones I notice that have not been included are: thyroid function, magnesium, vitamin d, iron and cholestoral. Of course, I Wld not know they were omitted if I didn't get a copy of the results. Hmmm! I was told that they were all normal and were filed away. So, in terms of importance I wanted these as I have memory loss - a little - and 2ndly I have osteopaena.

What I have then is:

Serum vit B12. 266 ng/L (170 -300)

Serum ferritin 50 ug/L. (10 - 290)

Serum folate. 8.7 ug/L. (3-19)

This was local doctors practice NHS. I will need to ask for other things. What do u advise?

Is there anything now I can do as regards B12. Do I appear to b low? I am going to Ireland on wed. When there I cld get some. 12 shots private ly, if u think it Wld b advisable. Help pls.

[mfrie in reply to mfrie]

Ps. I mean B12 shots of course.

[Marz in reply to mfrie]

SeasideSusie would not have seen your reply above as you inadvertently responded to yourself 😊 - easily done. Have now tagged her ...

[mfrie in reply to Marz]

Oh god! I have been trying to hide my lack of expertise. Thks Marz.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to mfrie]

mfrie

Serum vit B12. 266 ng/L (170 -300)

That's a very strange range of B12. Ng/L is the same as pg/ml and normally we see that range going up to 800 or so. According to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

Do you have any signs of B12 deficiency - check here b12deficiency.info/signs-an... If so then further testing should be carried out.

If you definitely have no signs of B12 deficiency then you could supplement with sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges to raise your level, along with a good B complex to balance all the B vitamins.

Serum folate. 8.7 ug/L. (3-19)

Folate is recommended to be at least half way through it's range, which is 11 with that range, so you're a little bit low. B12 and folate work together. If you have no signs of B12 deficiency then you could supplement with a good B Complex containing methylfolate (not folic acid), but if you do have signs of B12 deficiency don't start supplementing until further tests have been carried out as it will mask signs of B12 deficiency.

Serum ferritin 50 ug/L. (10 - 290)

This is low.

For thyroid hormone to work (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range.

You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly (and liver pate, black pudding), maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...

[mfrie in reply to SeasideSusie]

Typing error, susie. B12 range should have read 170 - 730. Well spotted. So, I am not very high in B12 either. I do intend having another blood test by post which should b more complete.