Vitamin test

[Maggiemay12]

Were is the best place to get a vitamin mineral test .

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

The cheapest way is probably with the thyroid/vitamin panel from either Medichecks or Blue Horizon.

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You can use code TUK20 for a 20% discount on any of their tests before the end of May, otherwise use THYROIDUK for a 10% discount on any test not on special offer.

or

Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test but with the following small differences:

For the fingerprick test, Blue Horizon requires 1 x microtainer of blood (0.8ml), Medichecks requires 2 x microtainers (total 1.6ml)

Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.

B12 - Blue Horizon does Serum B12. Medichecks does Active B12.

Serum B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Serum B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)

[Maggiemay12 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Looking for test for lime vit B ,magnesium vit D as can get iron done at doctors so mainly to help with raising my T3 if I knew what would help with that

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Maggiemay12]

Check out Medichecks and Blue Horizon, they both do lots of tests. Not sure about Lyme.

[MaisieGray in reply to Maggiemay12]

To test for Lyme disease you need to ensure you use only the compamies that are recommended by those familiar with it, as it is known to be somewhat problematic. Tests can give both false negative and false positive results.

Two useful links are

lymediseaseaction.org.uk/ab...

lymediseaseuk.com/lyme-dise...

[Catsnkayaks in reply to Maggiemay12]

Lyme testing is notoriously unreliable. The starting point is the ELISA test which Medichecks do - test too early and it will be a negative. It is also often a negative once the infection has become chronic. The next level test is the Western Blot, but GPs and Medichecks won't do this test unless you have a positive ELISA test. People can have a positive western blot despite a negative ELISA result and vice versa. Beyond the scope of the NHS, there are a few private options for lyme and co-infection testing which are much more detailed (and expensive) but are not generally accepted by the NHS. I'd say try the ELISA test, but if it's negative don't rule out lyme and/or co-infections. Vit D, magnesium, zinc, B Vitamins are covered by Medichecks Nutrition test, if you don't need to check thyroid levels at the same time.

[Maggiemay12 in reply to Maggiemay12]

Lime should be Like!!!

[Oracle39 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I am also interested in having a full thyroid function test, vitamins and a cholesterol test. I’m willing to get them done privately probably medicheck. Can I ask you do they require people to go somewhere other than own surgery to have blood drawn?

[Hidden in reply to Oracle39]

The cholesterol can be done with your GP. Medichecks do a test named ThyroidUltraVit

which you can do at home either with a finger prick, I prefer to order the nurse who comes to the house to take it.

[Oracle39 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I’ve ordered a full thyroid function and antibodies test as it’s not been done since first diagnosed about 5 years ago. I’ll Do the vitamin test separately.

[Hidden in reply to Oracle39]

Five years is too long good for you, post the results with the ranges on here for answers.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Oracle39]

Oracle39

I’ll Do the vitamin test separately.

It is very much more cost effective to do the thyroid/vitamin bundle. And if you order before midnight on Monday 27th May Medichecks has a special price on their ULTRAVIT test which covers everything you need

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

If you've only just ordered the thyroid test, you can cancel the order.

[MaisieGray in reply to Oracle39]

Oracle39 With the routine thyroid/vitamin/mineral tests that many of us have carried out, blood can be taken by you at home, by simple finger prick collection. If you don't want to do it that way, you can pay extra either to visit one of their hospital facilities or have a phlebotomist come to your home for a veinous draw. I find doing it by finger prick perfectly easy so have never had a veinous draw myself. Regarding having bloods taken at your GP surgery for private testing, some may allow this, others definitely don't, you would have to enquire at yours, to know whether they do or don't allow this, before you order the test kit, as the vials are obviously different depending which method you decide upon.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Oracle39]

Oracle39

Have you looked at Medichecks website?

Hover over"About" and you will see:

Walk in London

Find a Clinic

Practioners

medichecks.com/about-us/about

My GP wont do a blood draw for private tests, nor will my main hospital, even for a fee, unless a GP formally requests it.

[Oracle39 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Im wanting to do it privately because the GP never tells me what the levels are or what exactly was tested so I don't know if my thyroid tests have been comprehensive. The last full one was done at a hospital 2014 and I got a copy of the letter from endocrinologist to say my antibodies were high. The visit to hospital was not helpful other than to confirm I needed Levothyroxine and Vitamin D probably for life. Since then from GP all I get is its fine its within range same as most others on here. Then after the heart tests last year I was to include cholesterol checks annually and it came back as high at 8.7 end of February 2019. When I asked GP if the thyroid was causing raised levels, he was dismissive, and told me to have liver blood test to see if it was fatty, as he wanted to start me on statins straight away. I have not rung for the results or been back yet. I put myself on a strict low fat diet diet, cut out meat, and just eating fish and vegetarian meals to see if I can get it down on my own. I like my GP don't get me wrong, but he gets affronted when I suggest anything might be due to my thyroid, so I don't want to upset him. The plan is to check my thyroid function to get a base line for Me to know what is going on and a cholesterol test to see if the diet has had any effect. I have an appointment end of May with GP, if Im wasting my time and money; but I don't feel I am, at least I will have the information I need to help myself. I think medicheck sounds good, but I will goto a private clinic near me and have blood drawn to ensure I get accurate results. Thank you all again.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Oracle39]

Oracle39

GP never tells me what the levels are or what exactly was tested so I don't know if my thyroid tests have been comprehensive.

The wont. They don't want us to know, they feel threatened if we undersand our conditions. So we have to ask for our results, and it's best to ask at the reception desk for a print out (never accept verbal or hand written results, mistakes can happen), doctors don't like us asking so aren't happy to tell us even though we are legally entitled to our results. Always ask for a print out of any test results, keep a note of them and monitor your condition. You'll know where you feel best.

I got a copy of the letter from endocrinologist to say my antibodies were high

Was anything explained about your high antibodies?

Your raised antibodies mean that you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where the thyroid is attacked and gradually destroyed. Fluctuations in symptoms and test results is common with Hashi's.

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

You can possibly help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here, although there is no guarantee.

Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks.

You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies, which is why we always recommend that Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin are tested.

The visit to hospital was not helpful other than to confirm I needed Levothyroxine and Vitamin D probably for life.

That sounds like you are Vit D Deficient. Were you given the result of the Vit D test? What was it? Were you prescribed D3? Please post your result and details of what you have been prescribed, there are important cofactors needed when taking D3 which doctors have no knowledge of as they're taught very little about nutrients.

Then after the heart tests last year I was to include cholesterol checks annually and it came back as high at 8.7 end of February 2019. When I asked GP if the thyroid was causing raised levels, he was dismissive, and told me to have liver blood test to see if it was fatty, as he wanted to start me on statins straight away.

High cholesterol is a symptom of hypothyroidism. Treat the hypothyroidism and when optimally medicated the cholesterol tends to sort itself out. Statins are generally not a good idea, particularly for women. Are you actually taking statins?

I put myself on a strict low fat diet diet, cut out meat, and just eating fish and vegetarian meals to see if I can get it down on my own.

We need fat in our diets. Good fat. Cut out the bad fats by all means but include good fats in your diet - make a new post on the forum, there are members who know much more about this than I can tell you. I eat butter and cheese, full fat yogurt, cook with butter and coconut oil, potatoes and parsnips are roasted in butter, I have full fat milk, etc. I don't have a cholesterol problem, nothing flagged up when all was checked last year.

I like my GP don't get me wrong, but he gets affronted when I suggest anything might be due to my thyroid, so I don't want to upset him.

Whose health is it? There's no need for your GP to get upset if you want to discuss your condition. If he does then you don't have the patient-doctor partnership that should exist. Too many of them like to have their egos stroked. I avoid my GP, she wont discuss anything, I make my appointments with the Advanced Nurse Practioner where possible, he is happy to listen and discuss things.

but I will go to a private clinic near me and have blood drawn to ensure I get accurate results

If a fingerprick test is done properly, the results are just as accurate as venous blood draw test.

[Oracle39 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ok, thank you for your reply. In answer to your questions I am on 100mcg levothyroxine daily and cholecalciferol 800IU x2 daily. I was told by endocrinologist that my thyroid was atrophic which meant my immune system was attacking my thyroid. That was all, just go back to GP and keep taking the vitamin D, no reason why.

I was brave this morning and went as soon as it opened and asked for a print out from the receptionist, which she gave me without any fuss. I am dumbfounded. The form the nurse uses always says full thyroid function test.

However from printout I can see the lab only tested TSH the result was 1.72mu/L.

I recall a previous dr in my first year of diagnosis querying a test result because it only had T4 and nothing else, so the next time I went for blood test I told the nurse the Dr wanted T4 T3 and TSH to which she said she would put it on the form but thyroid function normally meant everything as far as she was aware. Clearly NOT the case. I feel I really need to get a full one done privately ASAP now.