what is best time to do thyroid bloods? is it best to fast? all a bit confusing

[lunanix]

it doesn’t take much to confuse me though, my brain feels like it’s gone to sleep with the rest of me!

under active thyroid symptoms for 3 years yet GP results all ok!

large nodules and goitre in neck that makes my whole face and neck enlarged and embarrassing for me to go out.

i have also gained nearly 3 stone yet live on rice crispies skimmed milk and sweetner due to complex bowel issues and gallbladder dysfunction. nothing makes sense, i have no life anymore as i cannot stay awake and am so weak., thank goodness for this group.

i’m eager to do bloods for one of the ones doing a deal last month. but need to know best time and if i need to fast.

any help much appreciated

thanks for reading. 😏

[jimh111]

It sounds like you are already fasting with needing to have such a restrictive diet. Many patients believe fasting alters TSH but I have not seen any evidence. Large meals may have a tiny effect on TSH but a light breakfast shouldn't make a difference.

TSH increases in the early hours of the morning and to a much greater extent mid-cycle ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... . It may be that your doctor is just looking at TSH and this might be normal. As you have to have a restricted diet it could reduce your TSH production leading to low fT3, fT4 levels with a normal TSH. From a thyroid point of view it's important to have good nutrition and dieting should not be excessive (if you have a choice over diet that is). Obviously we don't know your medical history but is it possible your gut problems are a consequence of hypothyroidism?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn't been tested yet

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

Are you on any Levothyroxine?

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.

Fasting may or may not be a good idea. Personally many of us do test fasting, it may help, but it certainly means you can take delayed Levo dose immediately after blood test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw, which is why it's good idea to fast before test ).

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_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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