Late bloods

[LouiseM46]

Is there any point in blood test at 5.30pm? How much can it vary throughout the day

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Advice on here is 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)

Suggest you Rebook for 9am latest

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

If you are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or if you are already diagnosed and looking for an increase in dose of Levo or to avoid a reduction, then you need the highest possible TSH.

TSH is highest around midnight and lowest around 1pm. To get a result with the highest possible TSH then the earliest possible blood draw is necessary, so whatever the first appointment of the day is at your surgery is what you should book.

[MaisieGray]

Yes there is a point, in that it will tell you what your levels are at that point in the diurnal cycle; and if you had every blood draw carried out at that time of the day it would still usefully track your progress. However, if you are wanting to optimise your TSH level, then realistically early a.m. is the time to have your blood drawn (it will be higher in the small hours but that isn't practical of course).

[LouiseM46]

Thank you, I thought as much

it’s all they can offer me at gp unfortunately, still awaiting proper diagnosis and no treatment as yet. I’ll read over the advice for doctors, may help discussions! Also hopefully have my private test back from medicheck today or tomorrow. I’ll take them along too. They were done at 7am on Monday