Optician/Blood Tests

[Tweedles]

I had an eye test at the optician at the weekend and during the test he asked if anyone in my family had thyroid problems. My Mum has an under active thyroid. He suggested that I go to my GP to get some blood tests done. I visited my doctor today and as I’d had full blood tests done six months ago he refused to do any more. I have been very tired lately but put this down up the menopause given my age. Has anyone had experience of this?

[MaisieGray]

Did the optician not clarify what he was seeing, and what he was inferring by mentioning thyroid tests? What did your GP say when you repeated your optician's concerns? Thyroid Eye Disease is an autoimmune condition, It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the back of the eye and causes inflammation. It is mainly associated with an over-active thyroid due to Graves’ disease, but it does sometimes occur in people with an under-active or even in those with a normally functioning thyroid. If it were me, I'd phone the optician and ask him to clarify exactly what he was expressing concern about, then return to the GP to discuss it with him, putting the focus on the problem, not a request for blood testing, so that your Dr is focused on the need to investigate the optician's concerns and/or refer on if he feels he doesn't have the skills himself.

[Saya85 in reply to MaisieGray]

Agree with Maisie that you need clarification from your optometrist with what tests he was referring to and whether he saw any ocular signs of thyroid problems

However since he didn't give you an actual referral letter and it sounds like he didn't mention any signs of ocular thyroid problems its most likely he was asking you to get thyroid tests done due to your Family history and because of your symptoms of fatigue possibly

Optometrists tend to be far more familiar with thyroid disease and autoimmunity and family history then most GPs as its covered in far greater detail in optometry than GP practice it seems.

If he found anything serious he would have told you in detail and referred tou accordingly - especially if thyroid eye disease

With regards to your doctor- having 'full blood tests' means nothing - it usually consists of a full blood count, poss CRP some other baseline tests

Rarely does it include thyroid tests and vitamin tests

So as slowdragon advised below do ask for a copy of your tests from reception and review what's actually been tested

If thyroid (&vitamins)/havebt been tested then there is no reason for him to refuse you

If you are symptomatic and have a family history of it that is sufficient to support investigation

Try a different doctor if you can at the surgery

Always emphasis 'new symptoms ' and a progression of symptoms with a shorter timeline - it usually wakes them up to possibly seeing if something has changed rather than years of similar symptoms ( doctors seem to treat longstanding symptoms as irrelevant- because hey if it hasn't killed you yet then its probably all in your head right...?!)

Good luck but do start with your optician. If he did indeed find anything then a referral letter from him to GP asking for thyroid testing may give added support to your request

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up

Second

GP most likely only tested TSH or TSH and FT4....which is completely inadequate

Find out exactly what has been tested as first step

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 if Thyroid antibodies are raised

If thyroid antibodies or vitamins have not been tested request that they are

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

If your Mum has autoimmune thyroid disease, you are genetically predisposed to suffer with autoimmune diseases

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Understanding Hashimoto's

hashimotoshealing.com/under...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...