Which Thytoid test is best?

[Shredder]

Hello all. I have hypothyroidism after having Radio iodine treatment for Graves several years ago. Levo (irrespective of quantities) hasn't worked for me. I was prescribed Armour two years ago and it was a miracle drug for me but then my health board refused to keep prescribing. I have tried Thai Thiroid but reacted to some fillers and it gave me horrendous insomnia. I have since tried a t4 / t3 combo myself with mixed results. The more I read , the more confused I am. I am currently suffering from extreme insomnia though I do not know why? I was wondering about getting a private thyroid blood test (I have heard of companies like Medicheck) but wondered if someone could tell me what test I would need, to give me the most comprehensive knowledge of my thyroid. Medichecks, for example, do several tests, but with my ignorance I do not know which test would be best?

[fuchsia-pink]

Full testing would be: TSH, free T4, free T3, thyroid antibodies [unless you've done these before and know they're high] and key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12 x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common after RAI

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

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, or NDT 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

List of private testing options

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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...

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Often helps many post RAI Graves patients

[Shredder in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. No not on a gluten free diet. I was put on ferrous fumurate for low iron by my doctor but am off it now. I take a multi vitamin and occasionally extra vutamin D3 , B12 and an adrenal support tablet occasionally hoping it would help with my awful insomnia.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shredder]

First step is to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

Insomnia is frequently low Ft3/ low vitamin D

Come back with new post once you get results

[humanbean]

I am currently suffering from extreme insomnia though I do not know why?

What is it that prevents you from sleeping?

A few possibilities :

Cramp, muscle spasms and/or tics, benign fasciculations, tight muscles that won't relax, feeling wired but tired, chronic pain, brain won't calm down and relax....

[Shredder in reply to humanbean]

No strangely I have none of those and haven't been stressed at work or home but something (I think medical) is stopping me sleeping and it is putting huge stress on my body.

[humanbean in reply to Shredder]

You might have high levels of cortisol and/or adrenaline, both of which are stress hormones. Low levels of cortisol aren't good for people either.

[Catseyes235]

Apart from insomnia, how do you feel? In COVID times the effects of lockdown itself can be multiple - insomnia, memory loss, foggy brain, dozing, are extremely common. No reason to always suspect thyroid. Exercise is always good but just getting out to your local park helps - learn the names of birds, birdsong or trees? I’ve dug out my portable radio not much used since I stopped commuting with headset. Would use iPhone but battery runs down very quickly! Vitamin D is always a good supplement in these dull days when you don’t get out much.

Best wishes!

[Shredder in reply to Catseyes235]

Thanks for taking the time to reply

[Shredder]

I feel rubbish to be honest but the extreme insomnia is putting huge stress on my body. Im a teacher sp life has, for the most part carried on as normal for me during lockdown so no new stress there, I simply cannot go to sleep, or shoukd I say deepp, restorative sleep. My GP gave me sleeping pills but they haven't touched me.