Conflicting Information

[Ness54]

Always I have done a fasting early morning blood test as recommended on this site. Does this only apply if you are on thyroxine, because I’m on Armour and my gp says every time I don’t have to fast. He also told me gps don’t hardly get any training in thyroid problems. So once and for all I know is it fasting yes or no. ?

[fibrolinda]

Fasting... Yes... For armour take last dose 8-12 hours before test and only water in the morning till after test.

[Ness54 in reply to fibrolinda]

That’s what I’ve been doing until the last test, will go back to fasting, I find it awful that gps are giving out incorrect information to patients

[greygoose]

He's right in that GPs don't get much training in thyroid - nor do endos, come to that. Which is why they don't know about the fasting blood test.

It should be fasting because the TSH drops after eating, and you need your TSH as high as you can get because that's all doctors really look at - because of their poor training.

[Ness54 in reply to greygoose]

I contacted the endo at Kings College hospital today about my posted fasting question and his reply is for TSH ,T3,T4 blood test you do not have to fast.

[greygoose in reply to Ness54]

Of course he did. But, what does he know. I don't suppose for one minute he has any idea that TSH varies throughout the day, not that it drops after eating. Doesn't affect the FT3/4, but it does affect the TSH.

[Gcart in reply to greygoose]

Just a thought . Would I benefit having a later appointment, still fasted, at say, 11ish am to get a higher TSH .

My t4 and T3 are always in range but TSH mostly 0.002 ?

[greygoose in reply to Gcart]

TSH would be lower at 11 am than at 8 am. It drops throughout the day until the evening. So, no, that would not benefit you, I'm afraid.

[Gcart in reply to greygoose]

Oh,got it the wrong way round 🧐 thanks anyway

[greygoose in reply to Gcart]

An easy mistake. And it would be so much better for us if it were the other way round. Life can be so unfair at times.

[Gcart in reply to greygoose]

Too true GG