Which blood tests?: Morning everyone Please may I... - Thyroid UK

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Which blood tests?

Ragerty profile image
6 Replies

Morning everyone

Please may I have some advice. I am considering having my bloods done privately. As I have been diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis will I need to have the antibodies testing? My doctor told me that once I have antibodies they would always be present. Thank you

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Ragerty
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greygoose profile image
greygoose

Your doctor is right. Once you know that you have Hashi's, there is no point in retesting antibodies. They fluctuate all the time, and might, sometimes go down into range. But, you will still have Hashi's, that doesn't go away. :)

Ragerty profile image
Ragerty in reply to greygoose

Thank you I can now order the correct tests

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Ragerty

You're welcome. :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

With Hashimoto’s it’s important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

When were these last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

If not already on strictly gluten free diet, have you had coeliac blood test done yet?

If not get tested BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

Ragerty profile image
Ragerty in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you for your reply. I am currently on 50 levothyroxine and have been since feb 2020. I do get the same brand every time I take it on a morning with water half an hour before anything else. I have just made an appointment with a private doctor as I am frustrated with the care or lack of care I have recieved from my own doctor. I dont feel well and have been trying to tell them that for 18 months. I have got my tsh readings from 2010 to May this year what I dont understand when I felt well my tsh was around the 2.3 every year then when I became poorly it went up to 9.22 which was feb 2020 since then it's never been below 3.56 I understand the measurements are between .27 and 4.2 . I dont have any other readings. I thought it might be a good idea to get the test redone before my appointment with the private doctor mid October. I find it hard to understand all the readings etc and had put my faith in the doctors who just tell me within normal levels no further action required. I've spend the last 18 months swinging from thinking it's all in my head and i am going mad to no it isnt just nobody believes me. I have lost all faith in the doctors and i am reluctant to speak to them as i feel theyve got me down as a mad middle aged women. There is no help available from the doctors on how to manage it deal with it and how to make it better. I apologise if I am rambling on and on. And really appreciate any guidance that I recieve. Thank you.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low vitamin levels common as we get older too

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 .

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 all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 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

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