I got my bloods done recently I wasn’t informed I was getting my thyroid checked I didn’t stop any of my supplements beforehand . I take Biotin , BVits , vitamin D, saw palmetto, & a few others .
I did ring the surgery a week before but wasn’t told about all they were checking til the nurse shouted me in - told me she’s checking this that and thyroid .
Even without adding in what amount of Biotin is in your B Complex, the 12,000mcg alone is enough to give false results when Biotin is used in the testing procedure. High dose Biotin should be left off for 7 days before any blood test.
I actually had a coffee before I went and breakfast .
That will affect your TSH result. Certain foods lower TSH, coffee affects TSH but I've never found anything that says how it affects it, ie higher or lower result.
it wasn’t until I was actually sat getting the bloods done when she told me that I was getting all the thyroid checked , as well as other unexpected test done at the same time
You can refuse. When I've gone for an arranged test say, for example, my regular liver function test, I have got into the habit of asking the nurse "What is being tested for today?". If there is anything I don't want done due to taking medication, not fasted, etc, I just say "Not the xxxx test today, I have xxxxx and it gives false results so I will rebook for that test".
Any procedure must have your informed consent, just offering your arm for a blood test is considered informed consent. If you don't want a particular test just tell them not to do it, if they then do actually do that test after you've refused it then they have breached medical ethics and your human rights.
I didn’t know I could refuse a particular test Wish I had know that . I think all these tests are going to come back with wobbly numbers purely because I carried on with my supplements , breakfast and coffee 😖
If there is any problem with your results just say that you didn't know you were having the tests and that you had taken your usual large dose of biotin and that you understand that taking biotin can give false results and you would like to repeat the test without taking your biotin.
What happens when you take all your supplements before a thyroid test , i was told I was getting inflammation markers checked at the time of booking in the appointment it wasn’t until I was actually sat getting the bloods done when she told me that I was getting all the thyroid checked , as well as other unexpected test done at the same time
Some test results are likely to be higher, others lower. But you really need to check directly with the laboratory. It isn't only thyroid tests that might be affected - any that use streptavadin binding in the testing process will likely be affected by biotin. Some thyroid tests use neither and would be unaffected by the biotin.
I know my cholesterol was checked too which I didn’t fast for and a diabetic test . If only they’d tell you beforehand. .
I know they’ll come back flawed I probably need to get them redone .
I actually had a coffee before I went and breakfast .
I don’t usually
Yes, Saw Palmetto interferes with thyroid hormone and Biotin will not give an accurate test. This happened to me recently. I didn't know to stop Biotin and Saw Palmetto. The first test was way off. One week later took a second test and it was still off. Staying on the regular dose I have been on for many years until I have a third blood workup. My doctor said we will do another test in 4 weeks before we adjust the medication to be certain of the results
• in reply to
Thanks for your reply , was your bloods showing too much thyroid hormone with the addition of Biotin and saw palmetto ?
• in reply to
Yes, definitely! I will know the final result in about 3 weeks after stopping the supplements for a brief time and having another blood test done.
• in reply to
Ok , if you don’t mind would you let me know please. ☺️
If only I was told beforehand , what makes me so frustrated is I did ring the surgery to ask . I’m sure there trying to catch me out so they can say I am taking too much T3 🧐
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.