So.. GP appointment yesterday..been off of amitriptyline and citalopram for nearly 4 weeks..been climbing the walls a bit, restless legs seems that im a solo dance off, stroppy, short tempered and grumpy BUT ive felt so much better in myself. Ive now been put on duloxetine. Lets see where that goes.....Pushed for a new blood test for t3 and the answer was no...however dr was quite informative on getting it done privately. He is however going to get a routine BT for Vit D and B12..
Is it just worth the effort and cash to arrange for my own private BT?
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Peder
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Ferritin needs testing too. If result is low, then full panel testing for Anaemia
Wait to see what vitamin results you get from GP, before ordering any private blood tests
If folate and ferritin are not tested by GP you will need to order Thyroid plus vitamin testing from Medichecks
(Thyroid plus ultra vitamin test is £20 more and includes vitamin D)
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with Hashimoto's
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. 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).
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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
You could try some magnesium supplements now to help improve restless legs
Of course it is worth it - thousands of members here have their tests done privately through Thyroid UK. It is the only way to have the correct testing done that will help you find wellness. You may be able to relieve your liver and body of other drugs if you are optimally and correctly treated for your thyroid 😊
none...he was supportive of me getting it done, obviously because no cost to the nhs or his budget...
Im going to get it done privately. my wife is an intensive care ward sister so is qualified to draw blood, just need a decent kit and details where to send it etc
Im going to get it done privately. my wife is an intensive care ward sister so is qualified to draw blood, just need a decent kit and details where to send it etc
Medichecks and Blue Horizon do venous blood draw kits and will send all the equipment necessary.
Information about different types of magnesium and what they are best suited to:
Reading about your RLS on the Fibro Forum - I am mightily surprised your GP has not done a Full Iron profile as low iron or iron anaemia can be a cause. So testing Ferritin - stored iron - would be a start. If low then you will need a Full Iron profile. If you google Restless Legs and low iron - articles will appear. When Hypo there is so much we have to do for ourselves. 😊
I am currently weaning myself off amitriptyline. I should be off completely by the end of this week (I'm putting the less than 2.5 hours sleep last night down to the dog throwing up on the cream carpets in the middle of the night, rather than withdrawal symptoms from amitriptyline). My plan is to get a liver function blood test done once I am completely off the amitriptyline, as I suspect that amitriptyline has been the cause of my raised GGT levels. It would be good to see the GGT come back down to a reasonable level, rather than being way over range. I have to admit that I hadn't planned to re-test my FT3 & FT4 as a result of coming off amitriptyline, but will be doing so in the not too distant future anyway as I recently tweaked my NDT dose. Are you aware of anything that suggests amitriptyline interacts with FT3, FT4 or even TSH?
Magnesium is one of those tests that will tell you very little as the range is very very small. The body has a way of keeping levels up in the blood by leaching it out of the bones ... Don't forget the VitD you mentioned in your opening post above !
What price health ? Knowing your full thyroid profile could solve so many mysteries - especially knowing the FT3 level ... Whilst the GP's do not test - you do have to ask yourself why ?
i am financially indisposed atm. Although still working part time as a police officer, my wife lost her job last year, through unfair dismissal due to disability which went to tribunal 3 weeks ago, waiting for results due beginning of September. She was the main breadwinner. Our finances are somewhat stretched with only my limited wage, paying mortgage, all bills etc. We have already used our daughters savings. Come end of oct, i will receive a payment so i will be financially ok.
That's really tough for you both. Hopefully there will be a good outcome from the tribunal and you can enjoy your retirement together in better health ...
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