Hi
Was in hospital in October with suspected appendicitis (appendix fine) and had a blood test done. Nothing showed up.
I'm convinced I have thyroid problems and want to ask my gp to test it but just wondering if it would of been picked up automatically when they done test in October or if they have to actively look for it in the blood test if this makes sense x
Do you suspect hypo or hyper
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
Though sometimes hospital tests don’t get added in ....or take a long time to be added
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
Link re access
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
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 thyroid including thyroid antibodies and 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 .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
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 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...
Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH
Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit
Graves Disease antibodies test (HYPERthyroid)
medichecks.com/products/tsh...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Link about Graves’ disease
thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...
Hi thanks for all the info.I'm not wanting a copy of results I'm wanting to know if the thyroid issues would of been picked up if they weren't actively looking
Having a copy of test results that are legally yours will enable you to monitor your health and check what has been missed ! Makes posting here easier too so members can make suggestions. Otherwise we are just guessing ..
I think everyone is misunderstanding what my post meant. I was never tested for thyroid issues it was a routine uk blood test whilst in hospital. So I don't need to ask for a copy of any results I simply wanted to know if it would be picked up or it's something they need to specially test for
The only way to spot a thyroid problem from blood tests is to test specifically for these : TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
fT4 (free T4 )
fT3 (free T3 )
usually just the TSH is done initially, and often it is only done if they already have some reason to be thinking of thyroid problem.
So no.... they cant tell a thyroid problem from a normal FBC (full blood count ) etc , someone would have to order the TFT (thyroid function tests) for them to see a thyroid problem.
Unless you know what was tested at the hospital , you won't know if they did a TFT or not.
There no way to know if they decided to run a TFT, they might have , or not.
Most of us would have TFT's included whenever we go to hospital , but that is because we already have thyroid issues recorded on our notes.
If you are concerned about a potential thyroid issue then the place to go first is GP and ask if they will run a 'thyroid function test', NHS will usually only be willing to do the TSH, and wouldn't do the other parts unless TSH is out of range.
Or you can do what many here do, and get your own done which will include ft4/3, because TSH on it's own is not very informative anyway.
Thanks
It would be good to have copies of test results at all times. You cannot rely on doctors to see an issue. We need to be our own health advocate. If you had copies of your hospital results to post we could VERY quickly see if your thyroid levels were checked or if anything else is off. Often Docs say 'normal' when they mean in range - but it is where you are in the range that is important .. Have been a member here since 2011 so have seen a few posts similar to yours over the years 🌻
Hi no I appreciate it. The question I was asking was answered further down. If I had the results I wouldn't be needing to ask!
Hi..I had routine blood tests last year after feeling sick for a while..(which isnt a symptom of thyroid issues!)and my blood tests came back as Hyperthyroid which really surprised me and my GP..my GP is very thorough but it's not something he was looking for specifically...
Thanks for your help 😊. That's what I needed to know whether it comes up or needs specially checked
Yes . but .... it only shows up if they test TFT's , and these will not be run unless the GP writes TfT's on the blood test request.so debbiejayn's doctor will have put TFT or perhaps just TSH on the request to rule it out/in.
That doesn't mean he was thinking it was thyroid problem , it's just that they will quite often run it to rule it out when they are not sure what the problem is , the same way they might run a pregnancy test to rule it out.
You hospital tests were looking for stuff related to appendix , so it's possible no one asked for TFT's
Possibly no thyroid test was included at all.
Often when doctors do test for suspected thyroid issues they test the TSH only. This isn’t a thyroid hormone at all it’s a pituitary hormone which tells to thyroid to produce new hormone. If the thyroid is struggling to produce thyroid hormone and levels are low the TSH rises. Medics go by this measurement and do not test actual thyroid hormone FT4 & FT3 if in range and NHS do not offer treatment unless very over range.
First thing you can do is obtain the blood test results and see what was and wasn’t tested.
For hospital records it’s usually possible to contact the department which ordered the test and obtain a printout.
For GP records you can request print outs via reception, and legally they should be provided.
The best way is to arrange online access. (For GP records only) Most practices provide access and there are additional steps & time to grant full access.
Don’t accept verbal results either, whether you obtain online access or a printed copy post on here (alway include ranges which vary between labs).
I am now make it a habit to check all my own blood results. In the past I have even been told by reception last blood test says No Further Action when the relevant blood test wasn’t even processed or the blood sample Haemolysed and need repeating.
I also recently tracked down an abnormal hospital blood from 7 years ago, I wasn’t informed and it seems it was never passed to GP for follow up.
Hi thanks for the reply. I don't think they would of tested for it I just didn't know if it would be picked up automatically or they have to specifically test for it
Probably not, blood test for suspected appendicitis looks for sings of infection. I would suspect it probably didn’t include thyroid function.
Print off the list of symptoms (link in other reply) and tick off any you match and take to your GP they should be willing to test you as the symptoms you listed in your profile are common with thyroid issues.
Hi. Welcome. I would say no thyroid tests would be done. Complete blood count and a special test for appendix gets done too. There are markers In your blood that let doctors know appendix is not okay. Politely can we ask what symptoms do you have making you think your thyroid is giving you a reason to be concerned 😊
Hi thanks. I am constantly exhausted and suffer horrendous palpitations. I'm pale, suffer bad anxiety and depression all my life. Hands and feet constantly ice cold bad circulation I get very light headed and dizzy. My nails are all ridged. I have too many symptoms to list
Testing for thyroid aside (TSH, T3, T4 + antibodies), get your vitamins and minerals checked (iron, ferritin, B12, vitamin D). Being deficient in these nutrients can also cause and/or exacerbate the symptoms you listed.
Thanks for the reply I will ask my gp 🙂
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