Blood test Question

[Scroon]

Please can someone advice me how long I should stop my supplements and vits before a blood test. I’m getting an appt, finally to see a endomand they want repeat bloods before. I have had hashi for 5 years and my ALT has been raised for a year now. I said to my GP I think Its because I need T3. Fingers crossed !!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you have Hashimoto’s?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 (plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested if never had them tested before)

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

Stopping any iron supplements a week before test. Also avoid iron rich foods 24 hours before test

Stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results (eg in vitamin B complex)

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)

When on T3, day before test, split dose into three smaller doses roughly equal 8 hour intervals. Taking last dose T3 at roughly 8-12 hours 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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Scroon in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much . Hashi diagnosed by raised antibody test, privately as GP didn’t test those or T3. I also have 2 other autoimmune problems. Been on mostly gluten, dairy and soya free diet and feel the benefit.

I had been on 150mcg of Levo for years, mostly same brand (can’t tolerate TEVA) although was asked to reduce to 125mcg 3 weeks ago as TSH was 0.001 and T4 17.8.

I do take Vit B’s, D3, K2, and granular thyroid supplements and was going to stop them prior to my blood test for the endo blood test, I just wasn’t sure how long I should stop them before, I normally hold off my morning dose of Levo when I get a test.

Thanks again

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Scroon]

asked to reduce to 125mcg 3 weeks ago as TSH was 0.001 and T4 17.8.

What’s range on Ft4

Never ever reduce dose based just on TSH and Ft4.....

If Ft3 is within range you’re not over medicated

Thyroid glandular will inevitably suppress TSH (even if under medicated)

ESSENTIAL to test Ft3

As you’re gluten intolerant likely to have poor conversion and need addition of T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine as 2-3 smaller doses through day

Obviously essential to test vitamin D twice year and folate, ferritin and B12 once year minimum

[Scroon]

Thanks again- the GP will not test Ft3 so I will test again privately in 6 weeks following my drop in Levo. I hope the GP will take the rest for my endo appt. thanks again