Blue Horizon blood test

[Lilykaren1347]

My 18 year old daughter has Hashimoto’s and is struggling with exhaustion and anxiety. We have to wait a month before we can even make an appointment with my doctor’s surgery for a blood test and when they do test her it is only for TSH.

I looked into having a private blood test with Blue Horizon, it is quite expensive but I am willing to pay.

Would anyone know if they do any discounts occasionally and which test to pay for?

I would like her iron checked, do they cover this?

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lilykaren1347

I think the best test for your daughter at this stage is the full thyroid/vitamin bundle. It tests antibodies as well but that's just part of the bundle, and the cheapest way to get vitamins tested.

Comparable full Thyroid and Vitamin test bundles as follows:

Medichecks ADVANCED THYROID FUNCTION medichecks.com/products/adv...

Check this page for details of any discounts: thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

or

Blue Horizon Thyroid PREMIUM GOLD bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Check this page for discount code thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test with just a few small differences:

Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.

B12 - Blue Horizon does Total B12 which measures bound and unbound (active) B12 but doesn't give a separate result for each. Medichecks does Active B12.

Total B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Total B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)

Blue Horizon include magnesium but this is an unreliable test so don't let this sway your decision, it also tests cortisol but that's a random cortisol test and to make any sense of it you'd need to do it fasting before 9am I believe.

Both include Ferritin but not serum iron.

Both companies offer this as a fingerprick test or you can opt for venous blood draw at extra cost. If you would like my tips on how to do a fingerprick test please ask.

Always advised here, when having thyroid tests:

* Blood draw no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, an increase in dose of Levo or to avoid a reduction then we need the highest possible TSH

* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the blood draw. This is because eating can lower TSH and coffee can affect TSH.

* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.

[Anthea55]

Today's offer, see the post just next to yours. Thursday is their day for offers.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Lilykaren1347 in reply to Anthea55]

Thank you😊just missed your post but so kind of you to reply

[Lilykaren1347]

Thank you so much for your reply. I can’t tell you how much this has helped me.

I have just booked with Medicheck with a nurse visit. Hopefully they can visit soon.

You are amazing! Thank you so much!🙏🏻😊

[Hedgeree]

Hi Lilykaren1347,

From my own experience (though it might be different for others!) my gp does not recognise or 'overlooks' any blood tests done privately even when results are below range.

So if you want a basic test done via an NHS lab, Monitor My Health offer TSH, T3 and T4.

It costs £29 but you can get a discount through Thyroid UK I beleive.

They don't do iron tests.

I'm hoping this is a link to them ☺ monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Take care.

[Lilykaren1347]

Thank you for replying, my doctor has been awful so we are in the process of changing. I am hoping that they will be more understanding. As long as my daughter’s TSH is below 4 they just tell the receptionist to “tell her it’s ok”