Blood draw should I take meds before it?

[Suzannah17]

Good morning and happy Easter 🐣 I wondered if anyone knows the answer to this? I’ve managed under much persuasion to get a T3T4 blood test as my under active thyroid symptoms are just at an all time maximum 100 Levothyroxine taken each day, however should I take my meds before the blood draw? Dr says I should but I’ve had mixed reports.. they won’t test my antibodies unless it comes back with issues! Very annoying !! Please help 🤦🏻‍♀️

[knitwitty]

Hi Suzannah

On here it is always recommended that blood tests are done as early as possible in the morning ( 8- 8.30 am if possible ) and before eating or drinking anything other than water.

You should also take your last does of thyroid hormones 24 hours before your blood test ( assuming you are on levothyroxine alone) you then take your levo immediately after the blood test.

If you take T3 ( liothyronine) it is best to leave a gap of 8-12 hours between your blood test and your last dose of T3.

When you get your blood test done it is a good idea to get TSH, free T4 , free T3, thyroid antibodies and the following key nutrients done all at the same time, Vitamin D, vitamin B12, ferritin and folate.

If your GP is unwilling or unable to do these all at the same time you can do a private blood test with companies such as Medichecks and Blue Horizon, Medichecks have special offers on Thyroid tests on Thursdays.

Good luck I hope your GP covers all the bases for you.

[Suzannah17 in reply to knitwitty]

Thank you for your advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

NEVER take levothyroxine before blood test Always test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

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 at least annually

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)

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Suzannah17 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your advice.