Blood test advice please

[Simplyred57]

I’m having my vitamin D and vitamin B blood tests on Friday , is it best to fast and should I take my T3 & T4 as normal ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you taking any vitamin supplements?

You need B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D tested

[Simplyred57 in reply to SlowDragon]

He will only test vitamin B and vitamin D , I have been supplementing with both , but have left off the vitamin B complex for the past 2 weeks.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Simplyred57]

Then you need to test iron and ferritin privately

If taking vitamin B complex, it’s unlikely folate is low....but GP should test if testing B-12

But, as SeasideSusie says....if been supplementing any B12 you would have to be off this for 4-6 months to get a base level result

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Simplyred57

As SlowDragon has said, are you taking any vitamin supplements? If so then:

Vit D - when testing this you can continue taking your Vit D supplement but take after the test on the day, not before the test.

Vit B - is this B12 or folate test?

If B12 do you want a baseline or do you want to see if what you are taking is adequate?

If you want a baseline to see what you hold on to then you stop B12 4-5 months before testing.

If you want to see if your dose is adequate then you continue taking it but, again, on the day of the test take it afterwards and not before.

If you take a B Complex then it contains Biotin and if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results so you leave off B Complex/Biotin for 7 days before testing.

If you are absolutely sure there will be no thyroid tests included then you can take your Levo and T3 as normal.

To make doubly sure, ask the nurse exactly what tests she is doing before she starts. If she mention thyroid and you've taken your Levo and T3 then refuse the thyroid tests - you are perfectly entitled to do this as they have to have your informed consent for any procedure, including blood tests. If thyroid tests are included and you've taken your thyroid meds, then just say that you will arrange another appointment to have that test done because you've just taken your thyroid meds. If she says it doesn't matter, don't discuss it, just say no, you will come back another day and take your meds after the test.

[Simplyred57 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you I’ve just had my T3 & T4 results back T3 -6.1 (3.5-6.9 ) T4 -20 (9-23) taking 12.5 T3 & 100 thyroxine- but not feeling that great , so he said let’s check B & D vitamins.

[Hidden in reply to Simplyred57]

Hey simplyred, are still shaky? What are your symptoms now? Any improvements the last 2 months since you have reduced?

[Simplyred57 in reply to Hidden]

Hi yes thankfully the shaky feelings and palpitations have stopped , and I seem stable on the reduced dose , I just don’t seem to have a lot of energy, but my consultant has seen my results and is happy for me to stay on this dose for now.

[Hidden in reply to Simplyred57]

Sometimes after a period of palpitations and shakiness we become depleted of energy. I myself just had to reduce my t3 from 20 to 17.5 mcg today, I was getting palpitations, fast pulse and today on a lower dose I feel weird. Good idea to wait a bit.