Best private blood tests for finding out about my condition

[distractonaught]

Hi all

I've never got any answers to certain questions relating to my thyroid condition on the NHS, despite having been hypothyroid for 20+ years. So I want to do a bit of my own research. Specifically I would like to know what type of UAT I have (i.e. is it autoimmune type or not), and I am trying to get to the bottom of why I cannot gain weight. I sometimes wonder if I am over-medicated, even though my GP thinks not.

For those who have looked into such things, which tests would you recommend me getting and where can I get the best value at the moment? I'm based in London and would prefer to go somewhere for a blood test rather than faff around at home, and will pay up to about £100 but the lower the better.

Many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin (£79 when on offer)

Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice.

DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw at local to you clinic

Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

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

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

distractonaught

Medichecks and Blue Horizon are the two most popular testing companies used by members, both use accredited labs and both offer full thyroid/vitamin testing by fingerprick or venous blood draw. The venous blood draw is extra cost and will take the total cost over £100, details of cost are on their websites. I would suggest that you include the vitamins as these need to be at optimal levels for thyroid hormone to work properly and we Hypos often have low levels or deficiencies.

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You can use code 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 Total B12. Medichecks does Active B12.

Total 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 Total B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)

[distractonaught in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks - I didn't realise you'd get a doctor's report with it - in which case the cost seems reasonable. I know it sounds barmy but I hate finger prick tests and probably would not be able to do one on myself.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to distractonaught]

I didn't realise you'd get a doctor's report with it

Don't get too excited, the doctor's reports generally aren't worth having, the comments will be the same as you'd get from your GP (their doctors will be NHS trained so will have the same ideas of where levels should be, etc). You will get better interpretation of your results by posting on the forum and members will respond.

[distractonaught in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sure, but I wouldn't have a clue how to interpret the results otherwise! Though good to know there are people on this board prepared to help out with that, thanks for the tip

[Lora7again]

I have used Medichecks for my last 3 tests and apart from the unhelpful comments from their clinicians they have a quick turn around for results.

[distractonaught in reply to Lora7again]

Unhelpful comments? Oh dear! Otherwise sounds good

[Lora7again in reply to distractonaught]

Yes they made a comment that my antibodies had gone from 4000 to 2500 which is a good thing because my thyroid is functioning, which made me lol because the next test they were back up to 4000 again. Also they said I needed a blood test every 6 months because I might become hypothyroid in the future even though I did state in my medical history that I had Graves' disease. It did make me chuckle to be honest.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Lora7again]

Well, you might. You can have blocking antibodies with Graves as well as stimulating ones