GP annual TFT etc due soon

[Ivy2018]

Hi all. I will be due my annual review soon and have been prescribed T3 privately but GP would not prescribe so I have to buy myself. The question is do I take my T3 as usual before having the blood test or will this skew the results? The private endocrinologist kept me on my original 150 mcg T4 levothyroxine as well as adding 20mcg T3 liothyronine. Also, how long does a private prescription last for? I’ve used the last one online once about 6 months ago and got a supply to last a while but can I use it multiple times? Really can’t afford to keep getting private appointments but need the medication as I feel so much better than I did. Any advice please? Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ivy2018

The question is do I take my T3 as usual before having the blood test or will this skew the results?

When doing thyroid tests, we advise:

* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.

* Fast overnight - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Eating may lower TSH, coffee affects TSH so it's possible that other caffeine containing drinks may also affect TSH.

* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use Biotin in the assay).

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

how long does a private prescription last for? I’ve used the last one online once about 6 months ago and got a supply to last a while but can I use it multiple times?

I can't help with that question, I've never had a private prescription or used an online service. Do you still have the prescription or do you have to send it off to them after you've ordered online? If you still have the prescription I suppose you could enquire with the pharmacy if you can still use with with xxxx date on it (not sure if there's a time limit).

[Ivy2018 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thankyou for your reply and advice on the blood test. . I still have the prescription as I only had to photograph it and attach it to the order and wait for a pharmacist to approve so not sure if it can be used multiple times or not. It’s all a learning curve for everyone!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Ivy2018]

Unless it is some form of multiple prescription, it should only be used once.

That some pharmacy has a system that doesn't ensure that is the case is their failure. We see people ordering from Germany being asked to send the original prescription and, without some system for preventing re-use, I'd expect that to be the case within the UK as well.

[Ivy2018 in reply to helvella]

Thankyou for your response

[TaraJR]

Ivy2018 please would you send a summary of your situation to The Thyroid Trust? They are collecting stories urgently about the difficulties patients have accessing T3. It would really help! Please?!

thyroidtrust.org/liothyroni...

[Ivy2018 in reply to TaraJR]

I have filled in the online report. I hope everyone’s experiences may be of help.

[TaraJR in reply to Ivy2018]

Great, thank you very much. We are fighting hard on all fronts for this inequality to be sorted across the country.