I have UAT and feel horrible all the time, am 60 have been taking Thyroxine for 24 years (currently on 75mcg, and felt worse when I increased it). Whenever I get my blood test for TSH (the only one they are prepared to do, they refuse to do any other), they also say I can get a blood test any time, and I don't need to fast?
I did manage to see an endo 3 years ago in April 2015, (he was useless, sweating profusely, he looked like he hadn't slept for a week, and was swigging from a large coca cola bottle - I actually felt sorry for him!!) He said he couldn't prescribe any T3 or NDT, (NICE guidelines and all that!) He did finally test for Free T3 and Free T4. At the time my TSH was 0.84 (range 0.55-4.78) Free T4 was 20 (range 11.5-22.7) Free T3 was 4.5 (range 3.5-6.5) and TPO antibody was less than 10 (negative). So everything was "normal" in their eyes..
Three months later my own GP (at that time) tested for Free T4, the only time they have ever done it. My TSH was now 0.16 ((range 0.20-6.00) and Free T4 was 23.4 - (above range which was 11.0-22.0)
As my Free T4 was out of their range, he suggested I lower my dose of Levo to 75mcg instead of 100mcg. Over three years on am still struggling, they say it's all down to my Fibromyalgia, (which I was diagnosed with in 2009).
I keep going round in circles, and am thinking of getting a finger prick test (it covers vitamins as well), with either Thriva or Medichecks (both have offers at the moment) - has anyone gone down this route, and how have they found it? Do you get good feedback after the testing, and where do you go from there?
It includes 10 tests that can show up a lot of problems that are common in people with thyroid problems.
You can choose to have a doctor's report or you can say you don't want it. But be aware that the things that are written are standardised rather than personalised, and they stick rigidly to NHS guidelines. (If they didn't I suspect the medical profession and/or the NHS would try to drive them out of business.)
I would suggest that you do ask for the doctor's report so you can get a rough idea of what the NHS would say and once you have your results and the report then you could also post the results in a new post and ask for feedback. If you use a picture of your results in your post, please make sure to exclude your personal details.
If you think you may have low iron, then you could also order the iron deficiency test :
There is 20% off the displayed price this month, if you quote discount code MED99 on the order form. This only applies where the test isn't already on offer, so doesn't apply to the thyroid test which already has £20 off the normal price.
Thanks - also been told that you can maybe have a venous draw - which may be better - I didn't realise you could have that, thought it must only be finger prick - well blood's blood I suppose, so it shouldn't matter where it's from! The Thriva "Comprehensive Thyroid Test" tests for:- TSH
, Total T4, Free T4, Free T3, TGAB, TPO/TPEX, Vitamin D, Folate, Vitamin B12 and Ferritin.
The Medichecks tests for:- TSH, Free T4, Free T3, TGAb, TPOAb, Vitamin B12 Active, Folate, Vitamin D, and CRP-hs and Ferritin - so they look like the same except for the inflammation one (CRP-hs) (not sure if TPO/TPEX is the same as TPOAb?)
Definitely worth doing for yourself, no guarantee that your GP will accept the results if you want a change in dose or find that you have low levels of vitamins. But your private results can be used to suggest that your GP could get his own tests to back up the evidence you have.
Definitely get the Medichecks Thyroid Check UltraVit, it's great value at the moment. You can do it by fingerprick - two microtainers each needing 0.8ml of blood (about 14/15 drops from your fingerprick) or you can arrange venous blood draw at extra cost which might be worth doing if you've never done a fingerprick test before, some people do struggle, some of us find them easy.
When you have your results, make a new post, put results plus reference ranges, and members will comment. You will then have some knowlege/information so that you can discuss with your GP.
Thanks - yes I think I will struggle with the finger pricking - lol! I wouldn't trust my husband either - he can be quite "heavy handed"! I didn't realise they would accept a venous blood draw, thought you had to do the finger prick?
£25 apparently for the venous blood draw - I think I will do that - found somewhere close by, what about Genova and Blue Horizon - are they any better?
I've not done any blood tests with Genova, only fingerprick with Blue Horizon and Medichecks. I can't get any venous blood draw where I live, surgery wont do it, I live in a rural area the hospital 60 miles away wont even do it without confirmation from GP which would be impossible. I've used Blue Horizon home phlebotomy service once, it cost £49 and because of where I live I couldn't get a blood draw earlier than midday, so for accurate thyroid testing that's not good enough, it has to be no later than 9am.
Thanks Susie - sorry to hear all that - it must difficult getting the right testing - interesting to hear about having the thyroid test before 9.00am - in all the time I have had TSH bloods, they have never said it has to be an early one! I wonder why??
Because they don't necessarily agree with it, they don't know about circadian rhythm of thyroid hormones, etc.
Always advised here when booking thyroid tests, always book the very first appointment of the morning and fast overnight (water allowed) . This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for a diagnosis, an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. It can also lower after eating and coffee also affects TSH. Also, take your Levo after the blood draw because if you take it before then your FT4 will reflect this and show higher than what is normally circulating. We usually advise 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw so if you take your Levo in the morning then delay until after the test, or if you take it at night then delay that dose until after the test. These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.
Hi there, I have used Medichecks lots of times. I didn't have much success with the finger prick method. The blood draw method costs an additional £25 which I find is worth paying the extra for. My experience has been mixed with using private blood tests in the hope of the NHS Endocrinologist would adjust the dose and or alter the medication. The win was very encouraging, as I was prescribed T3 when my Medichecks blood test results showed that I don't convert T4 into T3 well. But having been on a daily dose of 50mcg of Levothyroxine (T4) & 10mcg of Liothyronine (T3) for many months & still suffering with Hypo symptoms, I had another test via Medichecks which gave a result of a suppressed TSH, below range FT4 and only just in range T3. The Endo commented that the dose should remain the same, as she assumed the draw was pre dose. Because of this, I had a 2nd Medichecks test post dose & the results were much the same, still suppressed TSH below range FT4 & rock bottom in range FT3. The Endo said due to the suppressed TSH, she still kept the dose the same!
I use local private hospital listed on Medichecks website to get blood drawn.
Always do blood draw as early as possible on Monday or Tuesday (Wednesday at a pinch). Post off immediately afterward. Many people pay extra for guaranteed delivery next day. Personally I just send it from main post office first class
Often get emailed results two days after posting
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
Important to include vitamin D in testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin the most popular choice. £99 (offer price £79)
DIY finger prick test or option to pay £25 extra for private blood draw, often have money off offers.
Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements?
Your FT3 result was too low. This shows your either a poor converter, low vitamins or inadequate dose
The doctor decreased it - but can't remember whether I felt better before - haven't felt good for years, in fact worse in the last two or threee - I never know what is causing the exhaustion - could be thyroid or something else..
I’ve been using Blue Horizons tests for years. I started doing my own when they were saying that if I relapsed after they stopped my block and replace treatment then I was to have radioactive iodine treatment. At that point I hadn’t even had my T3 tested - or my vitamin D so I decided to stop begging my doctors and do things myself. I’ve been doing home testing for about five years now. At the moment I use their Thyroid 11 home fingerprick test. It’s really easy and it covers the various thyroid tests, vitamins, ferritin, fo lates, antibodies and others that I can’t remember but you’ve u can f8nd if you google them. You get feedback from their doctor and you can ask on here for ideas of what to do next. Ive never had to do anything more because I’m basically keeping an eye on things.
Also I used to keep a little note on how I felt -just a few lines or even just a couple of words. That way I could look back and see, especially useful for when I went to see my endo. Otherwise they would ask how I was and I’d say ‘fine’ when I wasn’t. That way I used to look at my comments and jot down s9mething bullet points to take to my consultation. It was good to be able to look back and see how much progress I had made.
I’m no expert but having had a quick look at your replies and I can’t see anyone else has commented on this but if your T4 was 20 (near the top of the range) and your T3 4.5 (towards the bottom of the range) it looks like you might be having trouble converting to me. My results are always about the same amount through the ranges (ie if my T4 is 50% through the range so is my T3).
Obviously that test is from years ago so I would definitely go for one of the tests being discussed to get a fresh, full picture incl what is going on with your vitamin levels. Then repost.
Thanks - am just wondering what sort of medical feedback these companies give, or would you have to go to the GP? But then the GP could still "fob me off", as they tend to do that anyway with Thyroid tests..
They will give you a doctor's report if you select this option. I think the reports are free - I don't remember being charged extra for one before.
I've received doctors' reports after private testing and the type of feedback given is very similar to what you would receive from an NHS GP or Endo when shown the same results. So, for example, if your TSH was very low they might mention being overdosed on meds, or (if you haven't declared your history or diagnoses) they might suggest hyperthyroidism. They will also tell you that quite low in range nutrient levels are absolutely fine because they are in range.
If the private testing companies gave advice that was markedly different from the advice given by the NHS then the testing companies could find themselves put out of business.
If you decide to get a doctor's report it may well delay you getting your results compares to opting for results only, but on the other hand it might give you advance warning of what your GP or Endo might say if you were to show the results to an NHS doctor.
Thanks - have decided to get blood drawn - I know Medichecks do that and they have local clinics, not sure whether Blue Horizon and Genova and Thriva do though..
I decided in the end to have a veinous draw rather than the finger prick. Can anyone shed any light on my recent Thyroid test results please? They are all within "normal" range. Am taking 75mcg of Levo - I hadn't taken any Levo when I had the test done. Normal ranges in brackets. Tia.
I Am feeling exhausted most of the time, have been on the 75mcg for quite a while, but even when on a higher dose, I felt rubbish. Have Fibromyalgia as well, but things can all merge, and don't know why I feel exhausted. All my vitamin levels are "normal" except Vitamin D, (40 - normal range supposed to be 75-150) but am addressing that. Vit B12 was 364 (normal being 181-910). I don't really like increasing Levo, as the side effects over years aren't good, and I think my Osteoporosis has been caused by Levo - can't prove that though.
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