What tests?

[Beverleyb]

My family are going through an awful time at the moment , I can't think straight and seem in a daze ...I believe a family member has a thyroid problem and advised her to have a private test. ..Would anyone advise her to have the basic TSH and T4 , or would it be helpful to include FT3 ? She doesn't have a lot of spare money to have a full panel of tests...My mind seems to have gone blank at the moment..Thank you .

[Beverleyb]

It's not that simple reallyfedup123...it's my niece , her mum , my sister , is one to say , get to grips and get on with it...they all use the same GP...my niece contacts me for support ,I suggested she have a test to rule out any thyroid problems. Her mum has done very well on thyroxine, and cannot understand why I have had problems.

[Beverleyb in reply to Beverleyb]

Sorry reallyfedup123.

I forgot to thank you for replying.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Beverleyb

Nothing less than this basic test for TSH, FT4, FT3 and thyroid antibodies

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

On offer today only with £10 off. If she can't order today and it goes back to it's original price, then use code THYROIDUK for 10% discount.

[Beverleyb in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you very much SeasideSusie...much appreciated.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Beverleyb]

You're welcome

Post again when results are in and we will try and help.

[Beverleyb in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you very much.

[Beverleyb]

Sorry for delay in replying, my niece has been poorly today, I’ve only just got the info..Interestingly she had low B12 but it improved so GP said they would test it in a year..She has been supplementing with some B12 lozenges I recommended..Her son has a complex,genetic condition,which affects his pancreas, immune system and lots of other problems.Her daughter has a weak immune system,weak chest , some family members have diabetes, asthma,heart disease...She will get a private test when she feels better. thank you for your help.

[Ziburu in reply to Beverleyb]

Your relative needs to say “ I want to be tested for XYZ because,,,” here you need to include all that background.

It’s outrageous she should wait 12 months for a B12 retest and only then move this thing forward. In the meantime she’s suffering and further damage is happening to her body.

I know it’s down to the GP but I would visit another GP in the surgery if you get no joy from one.

When it’s something as serious as this you need to keep on. It’s a pain for you so be a pain for them, this illness is not going away and neither should you.

Changing GP’s is a big step but if I got no response, for my own health I’d have to find another GP.

I know it’s easier said than done and I’m very sorry about all your families major issues.

For my part I was diagnosed by a very intuitive SA GP who asked for my antibodies to be tested, so from the start I had a Hashimotos diagnosis. Then I was ‘ok’ on thyroxine but after a few years all the other issues started popping up.

My current GP’s are good as I can do the research (if I feel well enough and am consistent) then I will ask say for a referral etc. Like many on here though I don’t leave my health up to my GP. It’s too important for that, they don’t have the time or in some cases in depth current knowledge. Good luck with all that Beverley

[Beverleyb in reply to Ziburu]

Thank you very much for your reply, my niece is poorly at the moment ,I've stopped sending her questions and wait until she feels better....She lives in a small town with only one surgery , she has a good relationship with her GP and I keep asking her to request tests but she doesn't...I have convinced her to have some private tests which is a start....thanks again.

[Beverleyb]

I hope you don't think I'm being rude not replying when you have been kind enough to help..My niece is poorly at the moment with a severe ear infection , a virus and high blood pressure, I have been asking her questions but obviously feels to unwell to reply...Her ex husband and she had genetic counselling but her ex has broke all contact with the family...she said she will have blood tests when she's better...Thank you for your reply.

[Beverleyb]

Thank you very much ..

[Beverleyb]

Oh dear , that sounds awful for your husband ...I would certainly go with her to see her GP ,she has been a tower of strength to her with the problems that have arisen with her son and daughter...I will have to try and get through my sister first though...My sister has never asked her GP , the same one ,for her TSH levels, she had RAI ablation 25 years ago , she keeps well on thyroxine, until she had a call from GP to say her levels had risen , she was taking blood pressure pills and eating her breakfast before her thyroid meds....I have tried and tried to give her advice but I'm not a GP...it's so frustrating...

[Beverleyb]

I can but try..many thanks again for your help.