NHS Blood test frequency has been reduced, where can I get a private test to supplement my annual test.

[Ladyofthestream]

I should be very grateful if you experienced and knowledgeable people could help me to source a private blood test for TSH T4 and T3 please. My GP used to do a TSH and T4 every 6 months but now will only do one annually. To source my meds I need a test every 6 months. I live in the South East and my private doctor is too far away at the moment for me to attend in person (awaiting knee replacement surgery and pretty immobile). I am so happy on my current meds but risk losing them if I can't do this. Please forgive if I haven't included the right information, this is my first post.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ladyofthestream

The cheapest basic thyroid function test (TSH, FT4 and FT3) is with MonitorMyHealth which is an NHS lab based at Exeter Hospital which offers this test as a fingerprick test to the general public for £26.10 with code here:

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

If you can't do a fingerprick test then next cheapest would be Medichecks, details from same link.

[Ladyofthestream in reply to SeasideSusie]

SeasideSusieThank you so much. I just needed a starting point and I now have far more than that. I have ordered the Information pack from Thyroid UK and I feel a whole lot better.

[humanbean]

The first link you need is this one :

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

If all you want is TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 then the cheapest option I'm aware of is Monitor My Health. It's a finger-prick test. You fill a tiny tube with blood at home and you send it off to the lab in the post. No need to see a doctor or a phlebotomist. The testing kit and instructions need to be ordered online.

There are various instructions that need to be followed to get the most accurate and usable results. These instructions come from patient experience, not from doctors. SeasideSusie has loads of good advice. This is one of her replies to another member :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

*Sigh* SeasideSusie types a lot faster than me, so I've repeated almost everything she wrote.

[Ladyofthestream in reply to humanbean]

humanbean

Thank you so much for your help. I now have the information I needed and don't feel so alone. It took me so long to be diagnosed and to settle on an effective dose, I can't bear to lose it all now.

[McPammy]

Have you asked your GP why your bloods have moved from 6 monthly to annually checks. Blood tests only cost pennies so it can’t be about cost. Maybe speak to the surgery manager and explain you’d like to keep to 6 monthly checks. I get mine done every 3 months without fail at my surgery. My bloods are always in range and getting them done regularly helps me keep it that way. I’d argue you don’t want your routine changing. It not right you should have to pay for private bloods when the NHS can do them at little cost.