Help with getting blood test please!

[Arlie123]

I’m due my next ‘big’ blood test with endo (phone appointment 17th nov). I’m supposed to get inflammatory markers, vits, female hormones etc which requires a blood draw (going for the Medichecks well woman one as it covers required tests).

So my plan was going to be to book a nurse test. But

- are home tests still possible in lockdown?

- any suggestions for how I can get this test completed by Thursday?!

Any thoughts appreciated

P.s. my gp surgery won’t do the draw

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Unlikely to get private blood draw

Why not get DIY finger prick test

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last third or quarter 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?

List of private testing options

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

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Normally 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...

But Currently not available

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS....eg vitamin B complex

[Arlie123 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks - yes I usually do finger prick tests but doctor has asked for broader tests ahead of my check up (that was before lockdown though). If I can’t get a blood draw I will have to revert to that test or do them separately which will end up more expensive I think.

[magsyh in reply to Arlie123]

I had the same problem I live in Scotland. My GP refused because of covid. I normally have to pay them £25. I had to phone the hospital out patient department and had to go as high as the medical director of the hospital to get it done. I can't do a finger prick test as I can't get enough blood out of me. I had my blood test done this morning but I'm not so confident as it took an hour to get blood. It's an absolute disgrace that they are using covid as an excuse especially here in Scotland when the GPs are sitting doing nothing. You have to push as far as you can. Being on T3 helped me get a test.

[Arlie123 in reply to magsyh]

Oh no sounds like a nightmare, poor you. But glad you managed to get a test. It’s annoying when I already am paying privately for the tests that I can’t even get them to do the blood draw. Sigh. I know there are people in far worse situations but I am now ok goose chase trying to find somewhere amidst a lockdown!