NHS Thyroid Results

[Wob58]

Hi first time of posting here. Through the BHF I was recommended by likeminded souls to get my Thyroid function tested as this may be causing my fast heart rate. I had about 4 months ago Ablation and Cardioversion, but still continue to have fast heart rate and colleagues on BHF suggested that it might be my Thyroid making them continue. I have attached my results from the GP which say they are normal. I know that they don't always do a thorough job when testing Thyroid. They dont test for T3. Should I still get a private blood test done. Many thanks for any future help.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

Are you currently taking any thyroid medication or other medications?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies 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

Approx how old are you?

Do you currently take any vitamin supplements?

If yes, what exactly

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 .

Was this test done early morning

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...

Might be worth paying extra for Blue Horizon as it includes cortisol test

[Wob58 in reply to SlowDragon]

Apologies should of said yes I am on Thyroxine 75mcg daily. I am 61. I had a partial thyroidectomy back in 1996 due to multi nodular goitre. There was no requirement in the early years to take Thyroxine then I did have to start some years later. Not taking any vitamins. Test was taken at 10.30 a.m. They didn't tell me not to eat or drink only water. So I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast and a coffee about an hour later. So this might of affected result. Looks as though a private blood test is the best route. Thank you for your recommendations.

[humanbean]

A common result of having low levels of thyroid hormones is to be low in iron and/or ferritin (iron stores).

And low iron and/or ferritin can cause tachycardia (fast heart rate), palpitations, chest pain, and rhythm problems of various kinds.

I would suggest that you ask your GP for the following to be tested (or pay for them to be tested yourself if your doctor refuses to test and you can afford it):

Vitamin B12

Folate

Vitamin D

Ferritin

If ferritin turns out to be low then it is worth getting an iron panel done. Don't supplement iron without thorough testing - having too much iron must be avoided because the body can't dispose of the excess.

Once you have some results, post them here in a new thread and ask for feedback.

[Wob58 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you I will now get a private blood test done to include all the things that the NHS don't screen for. Can't see my local GP doing this. Just a bit of background which I didn't include. I am on Thyroxine 75mcg daily. I had a partial Thyroidectomy back in 1996 due to a multi nodular goitre. Didn't need to take Thyroxine initially for many years and then I did. I do have one question when I have a private blood test can I go back to my local GP with these results and not be shunned. Thanks

[humanbean in reply to Wob58]

It is impossible to predict how an individual doctor will react to private tests.

Some of them will read the results and will take copies and add them to the patient's records and will act on them. It is also quite common for good doctors to automatically repeat any tests which are out of range or low/high in range.

At worst, some doctors will dismiss private test results and will refuse to read them and discuss then.

If you have private blood test results which are out of range or very low or very high in range you would be justified in asking for the tests to be repeated by your doctor if they refuse to believe the private tests.

The really stupid thing is that if a patient saw a doctor privately at, say, a Spire hospital, that private doctor could order exactly the same private tests as the patient did, using the same companies, and because it was a doctor who ordered them a GP would probably accept them without a quibble. The labs that the most popular private testing companies use are regulated in exactly the same way that NHS labs are. And some of the NHS labs do private work too.

Your best course of action, if you get private tests done, is to post them on the forum in a new post and ask for feedback from the people here.

Doctors are really, really bad at dealing with low levels of nutrients, have no concept of "optimal", and often hugely under-dose people with low levels - if they even agree to prescribe supplements at all, which they often don't.

In some cases they under-dose so badly that, for example, people can remain very low in vitamin D for years because the doctor won't prescribe a high enough dose to raise the level of a sunburned flea.

We can help with nutrients so that you know what to buy and what dose you are likely to need.

In the case of thyroid results from private testing, whether or not you will get a suitable raise in dose of thyroid hormones (if diagnosed), or will be diagnosed (if you don't have a diagnosis) is in the lap of the Gods. We can help you to understand what we would do if we were in your shoes. But we can't twist the arm of your doctor and force them to prescribe what you want/need.

Good luck.

[humanbean in reply to Wob58]

If you haven't seen this link, you really need to read it before spending any money - it has some discount codes that you can use to save money :

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

If you want to be sure you are spending your money wisely on private testing you can ask us before you buy anything whether you've chosen appropriately.

[Wob58 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you very much for your help. I was recommended to go with Blue Horizon Gold package at £139 and then the cost of someone to take the blood. As I live in Southampton someone would have to come out to me. I have also noted that's better to get a proper blood test instead of a finger prick test. You have all been very kind and helpful.

[humanbean in reply to Wob58]

It would be worth checking with Thyroid UK or Blue Horizon whether your choice(s) attract the 30% discount mentioned on the link I gave you in my previous post.

I know that Superdrug will do phlebotomy, and it costs £30. I don't know if there are any restrictions on who they will do it for i.e. do they only do it for certain kits.

healthclinics.superdrug.com...

Be aware that if you use a service like that from Superdrug they will ask some fairly intrusive questions about your medical history that, in my opinion, are completely over the top and unnecessary for just getting a blood sample taken, so be prepared to be evasive.

[Wob58 in reply to humanbean]

Just as aside could my Thyroid cause hallucination of motion which I have had for the past two years. Or is this a hormonal imbalance and is there a blood test for this.

[humanbean in reply to Wob58]

Sorry, but I don't know what "hallucination of motion" is.

[Wob58]

Hallucination of motion is the feeling that you are physically moving but you are perfectly still. Sometimes it feels like you are falling or in a lift. Its weird and scary at the same time. Bit like being on a rather rocky boat. This feeling came out of know where. Had brain and ear scan nothing found. Could be with for years.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wob58]

Could be low B12

Common to feel like rocking boat

Make sure you get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 included in your test

What’s your diet like

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

[Wob58]

It would be nice to get an answer to the rocking feeling. Had for 2 years now. Never had B12 tested. I am not vegan. I only eat a little chicken or beef mince.