Had a phone appointment with Dr this morning, and she has agreed to a full iron panel test (my ferritin was only 50 last July and not been tested since then). Also testing magnesium, prolactin, testosterone and a full blood count. Thyroid levels NOT being tested as they were only done last week.
Can I go any time for this test, or do I need to go early morning pre food, drink and medication like I do for thyroid tests? Might seem silly, but I just thought i'd double check!
Many thanks
Fluffysheep
An iron panel needs to be done after a 12 hour fast, water only to drink, so to avoid having to fast during the day then an early appointment is best.
nhs.uk/common-health-questi...
Awesome, I'm glad I asked, thanks Susie. Why don't doctors tell you these things?
Fluffysheep
Why don't doctors tell you these things?
Ermmm..... don't tempt me 🤣
I have asked a receptionist before about whether I should fast for a certain test "as I know that you need to for some", and she said no fasting needed, but I looked it up anyway and yes, it should be a fasting test. Can't believe I expected a receptionist to know!
I just fast for every test that is pre-arranged.
I think that's a good idea to be honest! Guess I'll have to haul myself out of bed early one day soon. I really struggle getting up early, never used to be like this 
If you take iron supplements in any shape or form you need to stop taking them for a week before testing.
Thank you, I'm not taking any iron supplements. I do take magnesium supplements though, and am having magnesium tested. Do you happen to know if the same rules apply?
I'm not sure what rules apply to magnesium testing... I just know that it isn't considered to be a reliable test.
There is/should be magnesium in every cell of the body (I think), including the bloodstream. The body prioritises the bloodstream when dealing with magnesium i.e. if levels get too low in the blood the body will steal it from other cells and move it into blood.
This means that people can have good levels of magnesium in the blood but be deficient elsewhere in the body - and by testing the blood you can't tell this deficiency exists.
As long as your kidneys are not failing then excess magnesium will be disposed of through the kidneys via urine. So, most people who know all this just supplement magnesium and hope for the best.
Look for "best and worst forms of magnesium" on the internet and this forum specifically, to find links describing the various magnesium supplements there are available. Some need to be swallowed in tablet form, some are powder dissolved in water, some are sprayed in the mouth, some are sprayed on the body and rubbed in, and some people put epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) in the bath and have a 20 minute soak. Some forms of magnesium compound are more easily absorbed by the body than others.
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