Having Hashimoto & only on Levothyroxine, what are all the specific tests we can ask for @ NHS Scotland? I am sure I have many same issues?

[endofdays]

My daughter and I both have Hashimoto. She is in Thailand and has had amazing tests. Results are: Parasites, Epstein Barr virus, anaemia, mercury poisoning and poor liver and adrenal function.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

NHS testing is totally inadequate in many cases.

Just testing TSH, and possibly FT4 is often completely useless

Hence over 90,000 members on here

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with Hashimoto's

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If also on T3, make sure to take last dose 12 hours prior to test

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Or tried it?

Been tested for coeliac or H Pylori?

What supplements do you take?

[endofdays in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you sooooo much!! Yes I started gluten free end of October (then Christmas went wonky) so I've felt better and lost some weight too. Back to strict from tomorrow. Also cut out dairy. they tested but can't remember if it was coeliac or celiac they tested, I need to check that out. Whatever test they did it came back negative. I haven't been tested for H Pylori. Supplements I take are B12, Selenium, C, Digestive Enzymes, Vit D and probiotics. So appreciate your reply!

[shaws Administrator]

I'm sorry your daughter has additional problems and some countries do more tests than the UK.

There are several research papers out which prove that a combination of T3/T4 suits many patients.Levothyroxine alone is an inactive hormone and it has to convert to T3, which is the Active Hotmone and is required in our millions of T3 receptor cells. The heart and brain contain the most.

There is a 'pinned post' on the right hand side 'a suggested gift to doctor' etc.

[endofdays in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much!! Can't see pinned post on my phone somehow but I'll check on my laptop as soon as I can.

[shaws Administrator in reply to endofdays]

Some further information - second half of page.

hormonerestoration.com/

copy and paste the following from one of our deceased Advisers who would never prescribe levothyroxine as he said it was due to corruption of payments to doctors to prescribe levothyroxine and it has become the No.1 worldwide. If we don't improve on it we usually then are given other prescriptions for a 'symptom' rather having the FT4 and FT3 tested. You have to copy and paste onto a new page.

tinyurl.com/ycxpz565

tinyurl.com/ya5blrr2

tinyurl.com/y7ejh9sh

The following is from one of TUK's advisers:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[endofdays in reply to shaws]

Wow amazing!! Thank you so so much for links/info!! I forgot to mention I also have lichen sclerosus which docs said it should go away and it never has. It's quite awful and I've stopped using the steroid cream as it wasn't helping. This site is a sure blessing!! I'm so thankful to you all!!