Got the usual undertone of "Don't confuse your Google search with my medical degree" when my latest TSH (the only thing they seem to test) came back at 0.05 again, despite my taking 100mcg Levothyroxine exactly the same as usual, which has previously given a result of 1.4 and 2.2. I'd asked if next time he could throw in a FT4, folate, Ferritin and VitD test prior to my getting a private T3 done. The effrontery.
Anyway, my question is: there is no way I'm going to be stabbing myself with a lancet. I want a proper blood test administered by a professional. I suspect these medicheck/postal ones want the stabbing. Any idea where I can turn up in person and they draw the blood? And more importantly, what they charge to do this?
Thanks in advance 😁.
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Blobby1234
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I know some GP surgeries do it and some private hospitals do it too. You can ring round and perhaps even Medichecks will be able to tell you if they have agreements with local providers near you.
Blobby - Those figures quoted are in addition to the test costs. So, in effect, Medichecks cost is £39 for the test, plus £30 if you go to one of their clinics for a blood draw, or £39 for the test, plus £55, if the phlebotomist comes to you.
When I had a home test, with the phlebotomist coming to the house, there was an additional charge for a test at 08:00, which is my standard time for blood tests.
To be clear, in that instance the phlebotomist was sourced independently from a local firm, associated with an HCP's (whom I know personally, so could trust) private practise. There are lots and lots of "on the road" phlebotomists around these day, recognising how frustrating how tricky some folks find getting bloods done.
The lady I used also draws for NHS tests, and takes all the NHS paperwork and drops it off at a collection centre - same morning, obviously.
One final thing you might want to consider is whether, if you are having any other bloods done, the blood clinic will just fill the additional vial(s) for you. On the one instance I asked, our local hospital was very happy to do that, stating it'd be bonkers to have to have another test.
Got the usual undertone of "Don't confuse your Google search with my medical degree"
I've come across attitudes like that before. If I had the courage (which I don't) I would want to say something like "Don't confuse your medical degree with my experience of living in my body for X years."
Medichecks and Blue Horizon private tests offer the option to pay for private blood draw at clinic ....but that may be difficult with pandemic
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
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
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?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
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private lab testing
Private thyroid testing
Private blood testing
Testing T3
Private Thyroid "finger prick" testing - is it worth it?
