Which thyroid test

[Geegee777]

Hi, I'm going to order medichecks thyroid ultravit test.

Is this still the best recommended test for thyroid health?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Geegee777

Medichecks have recently changed their test, possibly because with the Ultravit there were many failures of the folate test within the bundle.

Their ULTRAVIT test now does not include folate, can be done by fingerprick.

The new ULTRAVIT WITH FOLATE does include folate but has to be done by venous blood draw.

Blue Horizon equivalent test includes folate and can be done by fingerprick and that is their THYROID PREMIUM GOLD test.

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT WITH FOLATE medichecks.com/products/thy...

You can use code THYROIDUK for a 10% discount on any test not on special offer

or

Blue Horizon Thyroid PREMIUM GOLD bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Check this page for discount code thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test but there are a few small differences:

Blue Horizon requires 1 x microtainer of blood (0.8ml) for the fingerprick test, or you can arrange venous blood draw at extra cost.,

Medichecks is venous blood draw only for the test that includes folate.

Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.

B12 - Blue Horizon does Total B12 which measures bound and unbound (active) B12 but doesn't give a separate result for each. Medichecks does Active B12.

Total B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Total B12 but a poor level of Active B12.

Blue Horizon include magnesium but this is an unreliable test so don't let this sway your decision, it also tests cortisol but that's a random cortisol test and to make any sense of it you'd need to do it fasting before 9am I believe.

[Geegee777 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thankyou for replying, it's a bit of a mine field at the moment.

I've been quite OK after resigning from my job of 14yrs,didnt realise it was stressing me so much... I seem to have improved greatly afterwards but would like to continue with blood tests each year or so, just to monitor 🌸🌸🌸🌸

[SlowDragon Administrator]

The Medichecks thyroid plus vitamin test no longer includes folate as standard

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin (doesn’t include folate)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (NOT available as DII fingerpick........private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

private testing kit includes antibodies but no vitamins

letsgetchecked.com/gb/en/ho...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

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)

If/when also on T3 or NDT make sure to take last half or third of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL Blood Tests

[Geegee777 in reply to SlowDragon]

For a full thyroid health check I need TSH, FT4 and FT3 and antibodies

Then iron, foliate, b12 and vitd?

I'm late getting tested due to current situation and need a prompt as to what exactly I need testing for.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Geegee777]

You already know you have Hashimoto’s, so not essential to retest thyroid antibodies. Can be helpful retesting thyroid antibodies if on strictly gluten free diet .....as it can be interesting/encouraging to see antibodies (Hopefully) dropping

Yes, essential to test TSH, Ft4, Ft3, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Only test after 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose (and unchanging brand) of levothyroxine

Test as early as possible in morning on Monday or Tuesday and post back by tracked postal service

[Geegee777 in reply to SlowDragon]

Only supplement vitd, been so for a year or so, I need to test for that

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Geegee777]

Need to test all four vitamins annually

Come back with new post once you get results

[Geegee777 in reply to SlowDragon]

I've just requested TSH, FT4, FT3

Iron, b12, foliate and vitd and cholesterol test off my GP.

I explained that I'm trying to optimise my levels to help my condition.

So I will post my results as soon as I get them🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Geegee777]

Ferritin as well as iron ...ferritin is storage form of iron

[Geegee777 in reply to SlowDragon]

Just requested ferritin be added👍👍👍

[Geegee777 in reply to Geegee777]

Just had telephone call from my GP.

Because I am Not unwell, she declined my request for FT4 and Ft3, vitd, foliate, b12 and ferritin.

Just TSH, cholesterol and a diabetes check.

I explained that since diagnosis I have been researching thyroiditis and choose to self help which requires periodic bloods of above to be optimised in order to support my thyroid.

GP stated that due to costs, she has to justify why she would request blood work.

She went on to say, that she has been taking levo for 30yrs and she feels fine.

I'm angry and feel let down... Which in truth, I was expecting.... After all, look at the state of the country, not to mention the world🌸

[Katrina999666 in reply to Geegee777]

Medi checks have a sale on at the moment 25% off might be worth considering if you are looking at extensive testing ends midnight today

[Geegee777 in reply to Katrina999666]

Thanks, ordered. 🌸🌸🌸🌸