Beware of reverse T3 blood test turnaround time with Medichecks (and probably other companies)

[Highland49]

I've just had to postpone my appointment with the consultant as I didn't realise that there is a 14 day turnaround for the results to be completed as I need reverse T3 done, compared to 2 days with the thyroid monitoring (TSH, T3 and T4).

Really frustrated with myself for not checking earlier. Ironically, I allowed extra days for the thyroid monitoring results to come back but still not enough days! My appointment was the 11th but only ordered Saturday just gone, so definitely not enough time. Medichecks were very good to reply to my email this morning and confirm when the results would be ready. They weren't so good with processing the guaranteed next day delivery for the kit, so possibly not good to rely on this.

I also didn't realise that this test needs a venous collection, not a stab yourself jobby so I need to visit the hospital. Not good all round so was hoping to put others on notice so that they don't make the same mistake.

Luckily, I now have another appointment on the 26th but seems a long time with this air hunger and feeling of suffocation. Damn and blast!

[littlemo76]

Theyv always been really good at delivering nxt day,even to Moray. I will warn you however my last one for Rt3 took longer than 14days to process for results. I was supposed to get them on the Mon but was 2days late. First time thats happened. I guess im lucky knowing a nurse who will do bloods for me.

[Highland49 in reply to littlemo76]

Thanks for the heads up littlemo76. They were brilliant first time with the turnaround. I used the guaranteed next day to return last time so will use again to speed things up.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Also the reverse T3 test does NOT include vitamins unless ordered as extras .....I only found that out when got results 🙁

[Orla9298 in reply to SlowDragon]

Is it important to get the reverse T3? I’m just about to order a test from medichecks and trying not to waste money if not necessary (see my post I just made)

[Highland49 in reply to Orla9298]

As you're on levo, it's good to check if you're converting the medication well. The reverse T3 will check that. But totally know what you mean about the cost of all these tests.

[greygoose in reply to Highland49]

No, the rT3 won't check that. You can have high rT3 for many other reasons than poor conversion - high cortisol, low ferritin, viruses, low-calorie diets, etc. etc. etc.

You check your conversion by comparing the FT4 and the FT3. If the FT4 is a lot higher than the FT3, in their respective ranges, you know you are not converting very well. If you convert well, they will be more or less equal. If your FT4 is at the top of the range, then you're bound to have high rT3 even if you do convert well, because when the FT4 reaches a certain level, it converts to more rT3 than T3. So, why spend all that money on a test that will only tell you what you can see from the FT4/3? GPs and endos know nothing about it, anyway, so they'll be none the wise.

[Highland49 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose, that makes sense now when I've read before on here about RT3 not being useful. Sorry Orla9298 for misleading you. At the last consultation, I brought up the subject about my T3 being a little low. I don't know if it was as a result of that or whether the consultant would have automatically asked I test for that before returning. Will be interesting to know what the consultant makes of the results! Fingers crossed that I do get a prescription for t3 and that it helps with this feeling of suffocation I constantly feel.

[greygoose in reply to Highland49]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Orla9298]

I don't think it is worth testing unless on high dose of Levothyroxine and you know you have low FT3

NHS haven't a clue what to do with high RT3 anyway

[Orla9298 in reply to SlowDragon]

I might just buy a basic TSH/T4/T3 test, so if my T3 comes back low I can buy the rT3 on its own, do you think? Sorry to hijack this thread with a question anyway! Do you mind having a look at my recent post as to whether I should just do the basic test for now?

[Highland49 in reply to SlowDragon]

At least I've had those done earlier in the year. Frustrating to not know about the vitamins 🙁

[ShinyB in reply to SlowDragon]

This one includes vits too: medichecks.com/thyroid-func... 20% off all test in September - see this link for the code: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Highland49 in reply to ShinyB]

I was even more of a numpty and didn't use the thyroid Thursday discounts 😩

[ShinyB in reply to Highland49]

There's so much to take in and think about and remember. Info overload! especially with brain fog. Argh!

[Unhole]

Hi all...just to add a further detail ...it takes 14 ‘working days’ (don’t include weekends!) to process that particular test....so if like me you ordered the rt3 bundle none of your tests will be back before 14 working days!...

[Highland49 in reply to Unhole]

Thanks Unhole. Medichecks did confirm really quickly to say not to expect them before the 25th so at least I knew for definite when to reschedule my appointment. Blue Horizon took longer than that as they had a system change or something, I forget now.

[Cup-cake7]

Re this please to GG

As I have a hypo block 🙈🙃

Yes, you can see if you are converting by your t4 and t3 ratios,

My block is this...

if you have a highish tsh (say 4) and you are therefore officially 'hypo'

is it still relevant ?

Meaning, can you only judge the convention when you are tsh under 2 whatever?

Clear as mud 😘

[Cup-cake7]

P.s .....you may guess I'm talking about moi

My aim was to get tsh under a 2 so I could see if the conversion picked up better!?

But how do I get it down to a lower number, as I can't even tolerate levo 75 well?

(it's certainly better since I boosted the adrenals as I couldn't even tolerate 50 before)

I think the answer then is just take t3,,,,,,,,nest pas ?

[Cup-cake7]

(Apologies here, Ive swung off thread) just the conversion thing really

[Highland49 in reply to Cup-cake7]

Hi Jeppy, I think comments can be missed so might be better to do a separate post for our experts to reply to your questions? All the best 😊

[Cup-cake7 in reply to Highland49]

Thanks!!! You are so kind!!

Answer comes to mind that tsh number doesnt matter

The vits to help conversion havnt worked

But still got foundation work in hand, gut candida mainly

Lots of good wishes,

We Can!!!!! ( in my boots today)