Blood tests.

[Bunnyjones]

How do we get our GP’s to agree to testing?

TSH, FT4, FT3, Thyroid antibodies, Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin.

I am on the Leicester thyroid register.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bunnyjones

All you can do is ask. Some GPs may be agreeable to testing the vitamins, some wont do Vit D as they say we're all low in Vit D here in the UK.

As for FT3, it's the lab that makes the decision even when requested by the doctor, and it tends to be done only when TSH is suppressed.

TPO antibodies may possibly be done if the GP thinks there is a good enough reason, I think Tg antibodies tend only to be done in secondary care.

These are the reasons hundreds of us here do private tests to include all of these with one of ThyroidUK's recommended labs.

[Bunnyjones in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. I was diagnosed at 21 (now 46) dose currently 250 of levothyroxine, Pre-diabetic, high blood pressure, depression/anxiety for near on 20 years. Just want to be treated as a whole.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bunnyjones]

With such a high dose of Levo, if you are symptomatic then I imagine that your FT3 is low and shows poor conversion of T4:T3.

If you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) there's a very real chance of low nutrients or deficiencies.

If you decide to do a private test then look at

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You can use code TUK20 for 20% discount before the end of May, thereafter 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.)

[TriggerPoint]

Having To Practically Beg A Doc To Look Into Some Blood Tests Is Beyond Me. Why ? IT DON'T COST THEM A PENNY & They MAKE Money Anyway. It's Either Find-able or/ Not. For Goodness Sake....

[greygoose in reply to TriggerPoint]

I believe they have a budget. And every test they do comes out of their budget.

[TriggerPoint in reply to greygoose]

Seriously ? Wow !

[greygoose in reply to TriggerPoint]

So I believe.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to TriggerPoint]

Yeah. How did you think it worked? They may be funded by the taxpayer. like a ll the public sector, but a lot of that money goes on (?pointless) admin and each practice has a budget - they get extra dosh (aka funding points) for treating with statins, anti-depressants and possibly insulin - but nothing extra for thyroid patients.

[TriggerPoint in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

WOW !* So You Are Talking About A Free Clinic ? Totally Tax Payer Funded ?

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to TriggerPoint]

In that the NHS is free at the point of delivery because we've already paid through our taxes whether we use it or not and cannot opt out, yes.

[Hillwoman in reply to TriggerPoint]

Are you in the US?

[TriggerPoint in reply to Hillwoman]

Yes. I Am. But Had No Idea The UK Ran Their Medical System That Way. I Hear Politicians Pushing Here For The Same Basic "Government Run" Healthcare And This Really Helps Me See The Other Side Of The Story....Government Here Is Power Crazy & Want To Run Everything If They Can....[ and they screw up everything they get their hands into ]

[Hillwoman in reply to TriggerPoint]

I thought the existence and funding basis of the UK NHS was pretty well known internationally, being one of the first to be set up post WW2.

[TriggerPoint in reply to Hillwoman]

Well Being Born & Raised In America My History On The UK Is Basic Knowledge & Not So Much In The Medical or/ Political History Fields [ except actions & highlights during war times ] So I See & Learn More Everyday....

[pennyannie]

Hey there Bunnyjones

Speaking from just my experience - you can't - and my suppressed TSH didn't get me my T3 blood tests, but a dose reduction of Levothyroxine and a prescription for anti depressants. I'm with Graves Disease post RAI treatment in 2005 and became very ill about 5 years ago.

Thanks to this amazing site, I have managed to sort myself out. It is less stressful than being polite, and asking for help, when the computer " says no " it's game over.

Though sadly it is not a game and very far from over for people suffering symptoms.

[Bunnyjones]

Thanks people! I shall ask as like my Nana taught if you don’t ask you can’t get, where if you ask at least you tried.

[silverfox7]

I've read about this by a tester who spilt the beans. Apparently as understand it, the machines have a medium they have to put into the machines to test T3 and anotgercyo test T4. But they both have a short use by time on then so basically the cost per person depends on how many that can test in the time available. So you could say that the cost per patience is far more to testcT3 than T4 because they are not testing many with T3 so the cost/patient rockets! I think the medium for testing T3 is probably higher than the T4 but then it's also pushed up even more as they aren't testing so many. So very much a chicken and egg scenario. In essence they can probably test a few more at no extra overall charge.

[pennyannie]

Hey there, again, just to add -

At my last visit to the doctor some 18 months ago, she said my TSH was fine and that I was good to go but I didn't go and stayed seated.

I asked for an increase of Levothyroxine, back up to where I knew I'd felt a bit better, and she agreed. I then asked if she would kindly arrange for T3 and T4 blood tests for me and she refused, saying my TSH was all that was needed and it was fine.

Thanks to this site and new found courage I stayed seated looking at her.

She eventually left the room, huffing and puffing and returned saying they would cost me about £35.00 and I replied that this was fine, and should I pay now ?

There was a curt " No " the laboratory would bill me, but then she refused to give me the increase in Levothyroxine until she had seen the blood tests, that apparently were not necessary. I then couldn't even look at her without wanting to laugh or cry, but actually I was too ill to summon this response, and just left her room feeling numb and shaky.

I also asked and was referred to an endocrinologist after 10 years - 4 years of which saw me go into an ever decreasing circle of wellness.

Needless to say, I did get the increase in dose when my T3 came in at 25% through the range, though my doctor thought 4 in a range of 3.1- 6.8 = 50%. ?

My T4 was already at 80% and the increase put my T3 up to 5.5 and a 1/4 ratio which is where I seem to do better.

However when I then saw the endo I was refused help as I had a suppressed TSH.

I am now self medicating and getting better, thanks to the support of this website.

Stress and anxiety exacerbate my Graves symptoms so it's best for me to stay away from the doctor and the guidelines, stay calm and do it for myself.

It's wrong, it shouldn't be like this, but it seems to be where many of us are.