Apart from the "lock down", boredom issues, my health is deteriorating due to, what i think, are the Hypo symptoms getting progressively more pronounced. I have a TSH T3, Medichecks vacutainer test kit, but can't get a blood draw. GP positively won't do it and neither can I interest the consultant, who seems to be blind/blinkered, that Thyroid might provide explanations for my condition. Is there a way out of this Catch 22? Things are so bad I'm getting tempted to draw the blood myself..................not advisable I've been told!!
Getting a blood draw: Apart from the "lock down... - Thyroid UK
Getting a blood draw
![reelingenious profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/c65f9b7224484ef07a376a02dcffa153_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![reelingenious profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/c65f9b7224484ef07a376a02dcffa153_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![SeasideSusie profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/3f6ac069f2a50ca9d0e85f59f13a7499_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
reelingenious
You can do a fingeprick test, I always do those as I can't get a blood draw.
Medichecks and Blue Horizon both offer fingerprick tests. Some people find them easy, some have problems.
youtube.com/watch?v=w2JzToZ...
I have tried and failed several times to do finger prick samples. It just doesn't work for me. warm water, waving my arms about etc., etc. No go.
A few days before the blood draw, do you make sure you are well-hydrated i.e. by drinking plenty of water so that blood flows more easily. Also that hands and arms are warm for the blood draw.
![SlowDragon profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/27fbbead1f291333f83bad1f31359fe3_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested?
These need to be optimal and need regular retesting
How about starting with just a vitamin D drop test
Only 4 drops blood required
Whereabouts do you stab yourself when trying to get a blood sample? Lots of people try the very tip of the finger in the centre of the pad. That won't usually work.
The instructions in this post by @SeasideSusie are well worth reading :