Medi checks.

[Themax]

ok i am ordering medichecks, but i have just started taking B Complex and there is Biotin in it. will i have till wait till next thursday before taking bloods

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Medichecks confirmed that they use Biotin in their assays and have said that any biotin supplement should be left off for 7 days.

Also, it's best to do any tests at the beginning of the week, Monday to Wednesday, and post the same day so that it arrives next day, hopefully avoiding any postal delay and the sample hanging around over the weekend and possibly spoiling.

[Themax in reply to SeasideSusie]

thanks, i only started it to , maybe get the kit and do it the following monday then

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Themax]

If you only started your B Complex today, then as you've only taken one dose so far then just don't take any more and if your kit arrives in time for you to do the test next Mon/Tues/Wed then there should be no problem.

[Themax in reply to SeasideSusie]

oh thanks , for the info, will do that, as just thinking following week is Easter, so would not be any post for couple of days

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Themax]

In that case I'd post the sample back Monday or Tuesday by Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm Next Day, it should then arrive Tuesday or Wednesday and results will be available on Wednesday or Thursday. Ask for Express reporting as you won't have to wait for doctor's comments which can add an extra day, they're not really worth having anyway, you'll get better interpretation of results from members here.

[Themax in reply to SeasideSusie]

i will do that, as i will be in Dublin, think you log on to get results anyway. thankyou for the help

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Themax]

Ah, I post back to the lab in England and can only assume that wherever the lab you post back to will be the same. It might be worth checking with them to be on the safe side.

They send you an email when your results are available and you log on to see them.

[Themax in reply to SeasideSusie]

ok, i thought they all went back to England, i am in Northern Ireland

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Themax]

My knowledge of geography isn't the best but I thought Dublin was the capital of ROI. Anyway, the return envelope will have the address of the lab printed on it.

[Themax in reply to SeasideSusie]

it is but i live in the North near belfast lol. be down there visiting my youngest daughter as she works outside Dublin

[pika_pika_pika in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hello hello, I am also having tests done (just FT3, T4 and antibodies) on the NHS via my doctor. Does a similar thing apply to those tests too - having to leave biotin out? (I take quite a few supplements...) thanks for any advice!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to pika_pika_pika]

Taking biotin can affect any blood test (not just thyroid) if biotin is used in the testing procedure. We know for definite that it's used in the lab that does Medichecks tests as it's been confirmed by them. As it probably not possible to check with the lab that does NHS tests it's safer to assume that it probably is used than to risk getting false results. So check supplements, biotin comes as a stand alone supplement, usually in a B Complex and could be in a multi supplement too. It may say biotin or B7.

[Themax in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yeah checked others just in B Complex, ordered test today

[pika_pika_pika in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks!

[pika_pika_pika in reply to SeasideSusie]

Which readings does biotin affect (on the thyroid panel T4 Ft3 and antibodies?).

[Themax in reply to pika_pika_pika]

Need to ask someone else I only know Biotin effects blood tests because I was told, Slowdragon or seaside susie will know

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to pika_pika_pika]

As I said in my reply above, if biotin is used in the testing procedure then taking biotin affects all blood tests, not just thyroid, so leave it off for a week.

[Themax in reply to pika_pika_pika]

Others know better, but what I have read is if Biotin is in your supplements then need to stop a week before. Unfortunately here in NI the doc said he would get all Antibodies done but only did thyroid peroxidase, they only do Free T4 and TSH as well. I am more concerned about my Antibodies test to rule out Graves Antibodies, as I had Graves before RAI treatment

[pika_pika_pika in reply to Themax]

Thank you!