Out smart docs???

[Kaytlou]

How to out-smart docs? 😉 so..i'm getting my bloods tested (again) tmz morn. I need worse case scenario results (!)..i know i need full thyroid panel testing but they wont. Ive asked/bedded. Can't afford a private test at the mo. So should i fast before i get my bloods taken? Im going at 9.30 in the morn so thats no probs. Im not taking my thyroxine tmz...anything else? I know i need my meds tweaking. I feel awful all the time, bit they always come back "in range"- not optimal. Docs wont budge tho...

Thank you if anyone replies...

[Kaytlou]

Oooops!! Not bedded!!!- begged! ****

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Kaytlou]

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[DippyDame in reply to Kaytlou]

That's an extreme way to out smart them. Sorry, my sense of humour, couldn't resist a comment...made me laugh. Thanks!

Was just about to alert you to a typo, but helvella has advised on editing.

Plenty advice here to help you overcome medics appalling lack of thyroid knowledge.

You need to have results which are optimal for you....not "normal" which only means " in ref. range". They forget that we are all different with different dosing needs.

Post the results you have and members will advise on way forward.

Suggest you start saving spare pennies for a private test. Or maybe a birthday present idea. Shocking, to have to suggest such ideas in 21st century.

[Kaytlou in reply to DippyDame]

Haha!! Thank you!!

[serenfach in reply to Kaytlou]

A whole new meaning for "being under the doctor"!

[Kaytlou in reply to serenfach]

Might be the only way to get any sort of result!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes always get tested as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

If taking any supplements that contain biotin you should stop these a week before all blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results

Obviously you need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested (plus thyroid antibodies if these never been tested) and essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year

[tattybogle]

1) Early AM Test for highest TSH .TSH highest middle of night(ish) falling to lowest around 2pm. higher TSH makes it easier to get a dose increase.

2) Take that days dose after the test as fT4 in blood spikes about 4/5 hrs after taking tablet, so this avoids getting a false high in FT4.

A lower fT4 makes it easier to get a dose increase. *Note Not all GP's can/will get an fT4 done , many just do TSH.

3) may or may not make any difference , (the only 'evidence' it does is very flawed) but in case it does.....eating /drinking could lower TSH.. so just have water that morning before test is done.

4) the night before .. put your tablets somewhere different to normal so you don't accidentally swallow one on the morning of the test on 'autopilot'... you wouldn't be the first lol

(this is assuming you normally take levo in AM ?... it's slightly different advice if you normally take it at night.. basically as long as at least 6/7 ? hours pass from last dose to test, then fT4 result should be fair indication of usual blood levels of fT4 on that dose...the longer it is the lower the fT4 will be.

.... TSH result is unlikely to be affected by time of last dose.. (that is why we have to wait 6 weeks after dose change for a blood test.. it can take that long to react and settle down to a change in dose.)

p.s couldn't resist .. "how to outsmart Docs?" .. well , reading this forum for a few hours should be enough to learn more than most of them on the subject of thyroid treatment

5) Get actual test results and [lab ranges] after test from reception once they are back, (not just the comment)

TSH 0.00? [?-?]

fT4 0.00 ? [ ?-?]

They are allowed to give them to you as long as GP has seen them first, but some of them don't know this and will resist,, but be persistent, and ask for a printout as mistakes can easily be made verbally.

6) Post them here and we will be able to help you find the best argument/evidence for increased dose in your case based on what they are.

[Kaytlou in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you very much for all your advice. I have been trying to get the doc to ring me back with my results- which i did make the receptionist tell me!! Tsh has gone up higher than i expected- still 'in range', but higher than i have been for a long time. Can't give you any results at the mo as the doc has promised to ring me back for the past 4 days!!! 😡 Apparantly there is also some problem that has been flagged up from the blood tests with my liver???? I am going in to the surgery tmz to demand my results. This is beyond ridiculous now.

[Kaytlou in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you for all your advice.

[LPLx]

Best of luck, it breaks my heart to hear other people going through the same thing as myself!

I hope it works out.

L x

[Kaytlou in reply to LPLx]

Thank you!