I have told my doctor I want a full thyroid panel done and he refuses all he would test is the TSH mine usually runs between 1.9 and 2.5 therefore he test no other way I'm aggravated as I have low heart rate in the mid-50s sometimes at rest and I'm still losing my hair been on 25 mg of thyroxine for over a year. I have had heart palpitations eptopic Beats with some moments of racing heart. My thyroid level was 4.5 when I went on the thyroxine and I was so tired all the time but I did not have hair loss even now after a year of thyroxine I'm still losing my hair and it's not coming back. I would appreciate someone's input.
Can anyone tell me what is being checked when m... - Thyroid UK
Can anyone tell me what is being checked when my doctor does a thyroid check? all it says is TSH. Or Reflexive TSH.
Written by
Autumn822
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
19 Replies
•
Reflexive TSH usually means that if TSH is above its upper limit they run an fT4 assay as well, otherwise they just test TSH.
Given your history I don't think this will tell you anything new. If you can afford it I would suggest you get a private test for TSH, fT3, fT4 and possibly antibodies. I use a traditional test from a clinic in London bloodtestslondon.com/produc... . The price is creeping up, possibly so they can then do 'offers'. Other patients use a finger prick test which may be more convenient and cheaper. I'm sure someone will post details soon. You do not need reverse T3, don't waste money on this expensive test.
It's frustrating that GPs are usually not allowed to request fT3, a test that costs the NHS just a pound or two. Patients get ripped off when ordering private blood tests.
Some of these tests have special 'offers' on Thursdays.
Thank you. Here in the states..i wouldnt know where to start.
I’m sure there will be labs or clinics offering these blood tests as well as private physicians. However, the cost of healthcare in the US scares the life out of us over here!
Haha...i bet it does... it is one of the main focal points of MY daily battle with anxiety!! Lol
in reply to jimh111
Private costs are creeping up on us. So many suggestions here for private thyroid tests, and they're really expensive.
if you are in the states, try Direct Labs. There's plenty of online lab services where you can buy the labs and get tested at Quest and Labcorp. I believe now that Labcorp and Quest offer their own tests online without a doctor's authorization. The downside to this is the insurance will not pay for it if is not authorized by the doctor, so be prepared to pay out of pocket. Look for coupons - most of these service run coupons and panel of the month.
Forgot to make a general point. It's easy to get sucked into the habit of thinking more testing leads to better care, it isn't so, can even drag the focus away from signs and symptoms. I would do TSH, fT3, fT4 initially and possibly antibodies if the additional cost is small. For sure some vitamin / mineral levels will be low but it might be cheaper to just supplement instead. Get an initial benchmark and then try to avoid over-testing.
in reply to Autumn822
Hi Autumn822. I use ultalabtests.com - their prices are pretty good and I've consistently been happy with their service. If you go to Stopthethyroidmadness.com you can find a list of labs in the states to choose from. 😊
That is a very low dose, usually we are started on 50mcg for 6 weeks and then a blood test to check your thyroid levels and then another increase of 25mcg and keep increasing until you feel well and the symptoms have disappeared. Hair loss is a sign of hypo and you are definitely undermedicated in my honest opinion.
It depends which state you are in whether you can get self referral tests. Look on line and check the prices as they vary widely from company to company but with most you will get the tests done at Labcorp or quest. Local hospitals also provide very cheap walk in tests in Florida, so may be available in your state. You still have symptoms so your doc should check further, can you go to someone else to adjust your dose ?
SlowDragonAdministrator
Standard starter dose is 50mcgs
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...
Looking briefly at your other posts.....IBS, constipation and anxiety add all HYPOTHYROID symptoms
Find a different doctor urgently
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
As your doctor to test vitamin levels or get private testing
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)
Most world leading Thyroid specialists are in USA
Here's a few links to USA websites
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
Hi from what I know from my experience is that a lot of areas won’t fund any other Thyroid blood tests other than TSH. T3 & 4 need to be requested & authorised separately. I have been over medicated & have had palpitations etc so have been in a similar position to you.
Regarding hair loss & tiredness though it could be something totally different causing this. Has your Ferritin been checked? Or B12 both can cause these symptoms. X
Hi have you had your iron tested, low iron can cause hair loss. Your iron levels should ideally be in the top 3rd of the range to be optimal. If you do need an iron supplement then make sure you take it well away from your thyroid meds and if you take it with fresh orange juice it can help with absorption. Get a full iron screen to include B12 and folate if you can. Good luck.
Oh you're ''not going to get into a discussion about who can afford...'' then proceed with a lecture about investments, affordability and discounts. You sound really pompous. And like you're advertising these companies. I thought the guidelines don't allow advertising.
If you read my post in context it was in response to the comment about American healthcare costs seeming scary to Brits. And how costs are creeping up here. To be clear any price tag is ''expensive'' compared to ZERO which you pay the NHS at point of use. Though some of us have paid plenty with our taxes.
If you go to this link :
stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...
and look for this sentence in the text :
PLACES TO ORDER YOUR OWN TESTS–The first five are US-based.
it gives you links to five companies that will do testing for people without involving doctors or insurance companies. Do pay attention to this sentence :
Self testing not allowed in these US states NY, NJ, RI, MA or MD, though Ulta has worked it out with Massachusetts
You pompously waded into my genuine and measured reply to someone else. And you accuse me of 'throwing sticks'. What hypocrisy. But be sure I will defend myself. I'm not sure what you understand by the term advertising, but clearly not its definition. I'd hope you get some help, its needed. But do not reply to me or respond to my posts ever. I haven't the time for nonsense.
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK
Am closing this thread to replies - may re-open later.
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
When Will It Stop? Can Anyone Tell me?
another day of hair falling out immensely. I've been about three months on Nature Thyroid and I'm...
Is it a breach of my patient rights when a GP does a thyroid blood test without telling me?
careful about only changing and testing one med at a time.
So this thyroid test occurred because...
Can anyone tell me what my results mean?
seems my levels have gotten worse. Also can anyone tell me why my FT3 is so high if I'm hypo?
My...
Results of a recent thyroid check..can you all tell me what you think
Hi all I've been on 100mcg and 4 grains of WP thyroid, I feel almost human again, but I think I....
What can I do if Levothyroxine doesn't work for me despite my G.P telling me it does?
wonderful Armour now refuses to supply it as I live outside the area even though I have to attend...
Thyroid symptoms but doctor won’t prescribe because of tsh being “normal”
Can anyone help me interpret my thyroid test results please?
Can anyone tell me what a good starting out dose of NHT is. 
Doctor says that my thyroid is normal 
Can someone please tell me if my Thyroid results are okay?
