Plasma metanephrines????

[Maddy1980]

What is this blood test for And why would endo' be testing it? Bloods where originally taken for appointment in january, however shortly after...i received letter changing endo' doc and appointment date and asking for a plasma metanephrines to be done.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you already diagnosed as having thyroid problem?

Often thyroid upsets adrenals

Looks like it's to test for pheochromocytoma.

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

Do you get pain in adrenals?

[Maddy1980 in reply to SlowDragon]

Over the years I've suffered from cholesterol spikes, on and off high blood pressure, chronic fatigue and weight gain regardless of treatment. No diet of exercise seem to help, vitamin d deficiency, aches and pains in trunk area, back and lower legs, pre diabetic and tingling, charge feeling running through my head and lower legs.

[Maddy1980]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism approximately 7 years ago when I turned 31, iv never felt well even on levo Nd it's taken this long for me to be referred. The gp has never offered info or support. The fatigue and sweating has been crippling. I get so hot i feel like I will faint. It's stolen my thirties and stolen my children's childhoods.

[Marz in reply to Maddy1980]

Not sure SlowDragon will see your response - as you inadvertently replied to yourself - so have tagged her Easily done when you are new !

[Maddy1980 in reply to Marz]

Oops thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Maddy1980]

Can you add your most recent blood test results and ranges

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

Recommended on here that 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

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

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_...

Many of us on here have had similar experiences. Getting FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing is first step

[Maddy1980 in reply to SlowDragon]

Over the years my gp has only ever tested my tsh and t4 and didn't tell me actual figures just said I was on right dose and was in range. Regardless of persisting symptoms and over time developing numerous health issues. My daughter was a registered carer for me at one stage and ended up

leaving home due to the pressure it out on her and our relationship. I have two boys who are now 8 and 9 and have never seen me well. My health is just getting worse. I menstrual cycle has also been nearly no existent for 5 years. The list goes on for miles. I have been a single for 8 years now. I cannot afford private. I v never been referred to endocrinologist before. It's taken 7 years just to get this far. I have gone from a competitive swimmer, instructor extremely healthy confident young women to a breathing corpse. It's been extremely frustrating. I lost my home 2 years ago and nearly lost my boys due to my health. Not to mention damaged my relationship with my daughter. Sorry, I'm ranting

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Maddy1980]

So first step is to get copies of your most recent blood test results (and very useful to see older results too)

Best option is therefore to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

You need to take ID with you, driving licence or passport to register. It takes a couple of days to sort

Once you can see what's been tested, and most importantly what's not been tested

Then see GP to request missing tests.

If you read regular members profiles you will see many of us ONLY made progress after getting vitamins tested and then self supplementing (or if levels are very low GP can/should prescribe)

Can make staggering difference getting vitamins optimal

If you have autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies then vast numbers on here find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential. Some need dairy free instead or as well

Current NHS treatment for many is either poor or completely inadequate

[Maddy1980 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for your advice i will definitely be registering.

[Trufflebuggy]

The plasma metanephrines are most likely being done due to your uncontrolled high blood pressure, and to hopefully rule out a phaeo as the cause. Metanephrines are the metabolites of our stress hormones ie adrenaline, and phaeo produce these in large amounts leading to symptoms such as high bp, sweating, headaches etc, but obviously these symptoms can be due to other things hence the rule in/out nature of the request from the endo.

[Maddy1980 in reply to Trufflebuggy]

Thank you, puts my mind at rest

[Trufflebuggy in reply to Maddy1980]

no worries, take some comfort that you have a consultant who is looking at all your symptoms and asking for tests to hopefully get to the bottom of everything. Good luck.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Maddy1980]

I had pheochromocytoma tests, amongst many others.

Adrenals get over used compensating for thyroid being out of balance

A daily good quality vitamin C can help support adrenals