Test without a blood sample?

[bec1130]

Hi. My 17 year old daughter has been struggling with symptoms that point to Hypothyroidism for a long time. Back and forth to the GP but not really got anywhere. The problem is she is severely phobic and cant have a blood test (we got her into the chair once but she had a panic attack and was sick). Even numbing cream and diazepam didn't help.

Is there any test that doesn't involve taking blood? I am willing to pay for a private appointment if it gets to the bottom of it!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

bec1130

There is a urine test but it's not really for diagnosing, and whether your GP would accept it is debateable.

gdx.net/uk/product/urine-th...

"It is important to use this test as an adjunct to other indicators of thyroid function, such as body temperature, symptomology and standard blood thyroid tests."

The timing of collection is crucial, such as starting with emptying the bladder at, say for example, 8am, not collecting that urination, then collecting every urination afterwards, day and night, until exactly the same time the next morning, ensuring you urinate every last drop at 8am.

Genova tests can be ordered with ThyroidUK as your "practioner", results sent to TUK then sent on to you, because Genova don't deal direct with the public.

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/g...

Test code END08

My 23 year old grandaughter has phobias, one of them being the dentist and any injections that may involve, another being animals. She is having therapy to try and overcome them. Your daughter is going to have a lifetime of one test or another involving taking blood, so it might be worth considering tackling this problem now - you never know, one session of hypotherapy may do the trick.

[fibrolinda]

I too am very needle phobic, passed out many times and even had blood taken whilst unconscious 🙄 I decided to give private testing a go using finger prick method of taking blood sample at home... Myself... It was still difficult, cold wet flannel on back of neck, feeling sick, dizzy etc and had to stop many times and lie down till I calmed down. To be honest it took me so long I got so fed up I actually calmed down and got sample. I do all my tests myself finger prick now, each time got easier and now I barely blink and all done in couple of minutes.

I do not know if your daughter could manage to try this, maybe with sedatives? Maybe try small test first like TSH, FREE T4 And FREE T3? Though even Thyroid 11 is only small container.. Fills by dripping blood from finger prick.

Another thought have you tried hypnosis for her phobia?

"hugs'' it must be so stressful for you both

Linda x

[Kes8]

I had a friend many years ago who was a fellow type I diabetic who developed a needle phobia. Obviously a problem and there was no availability of insulin pumps then - she was dying as she wouldn't inject her insulin. Her parents were literally holding her down. After one session of hypnotherapy she allowed her mum to inject her and within six months she was injecting herself.

I'm not saying it will work for your daughter but hypnotherapy may help. I know from a personal perspective it helped amazingly reducing and making my anxiety manageable. To balance another friend went to help her stop smoking and didn't work at all.

Best wishes and if you do seek a hypnotherapist make sure they are registered with I think it's the CNHC.

[bec1130]

Thanks everyone for your help and advice! I will see if Hypnotherapy helps.

x