Private blood test

[evakid]

Hello everyone,

I moved from Greece to UK two months ago and I have autoimmune thyroiditis. Back home I used to do my blood tests every month, but the gp here told me that here they do such tests every tree months. What do you suggest that I should do? Is there a private clinic that I could visit?

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Most GP's here only test annually

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. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)

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

[evakid in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for your information!! Can I trust private clinics? Because my TSH levels keep changing nearly every month, and I am always adjusting my dose, so I need to keep track.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to evakid]

If your levels keep changing this is almost certainly due to autoimmune thyroid disease - Hashimoto's

Dose should not bee changing al, the time

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, getting thiese at good levels by supplementing can help,

As can strictly gluten free diet

First step is full testing......perhaps on your next visit back home?

[Hidden]

I use Blue Horizon but look at the prices, they’ll be a lot higher than Greece. My friend in Cyprus has a full annual blood panel ( tests and checks absolutely everything you could think of) for €50. She can’t believe the prices I tell her about here.

[evakid in reply to Hidden]

Yes they are really expencive, but what can I do, it's very difficult having a confition like that...

[shaws Administrator]

In the UK, when first diagnosed and prescribed we have a blood test every six weeks until we're on a stable dose and feel well. Thereafter if we don't feel well or have symptoms, we can make an appointment to have a blood test. If we feel well we only need a blood test yearly.

[evakid]

I think it's better and more accurate if a phlebotomist does the blood test for you. Can I trust medichecks?