I am hypo. I've managed to reluctantly get my GP to get a blood test for my antibodies, other than that she only tests for TSH & free T4 before again reluctantly upping my medication dose despite being undermedicated. She won't even test my vitamins again - they were tested in September before my diagnosis. I started on 50mg, was then on 75mg and I am now on 100mg levothyroxine.
Have any other UK based people on here managed to get to see an Endocrinologist on the NHS? Or is this something that has to be done privately?
If anyone has any private affordable places to get vitamin tests done please let me know.
Thanks.
Written by
zg215
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Cheapest way to get key nutrients tested - Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin - is with a thyroid/vitamin bundle with one of our private labs who do a fingerprick or venous blood draw test (venous test requires phlebotomy at extra cost).
Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test with just a few small differences:
Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.
B12 - Blue Horizon does Total B12 which measures bound and unbound (active) B12 but doesn't give a separate result for each. Medichecks does Active B12.
Total B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Total B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)
Blue Horizon include magnesium but this is an unreliable test so don't let this sway your decision, it also tests cortisol but that's a random cortisol test and to make any sense of it you'd need to do it fasting before 9am I believe.
If you decide to do one of these tests and want to go for the fingerprick version, I have some tips I can post, just ask.
Members have been seen by NHS endocrinologists but it would appear that your GP needs to recognise a need to be referred, eg abnormal results or still symptomatic with apparently normal results, and even if referred an endo can refuse the referral if results are within range.
No, I have not been offered this... and when I asked at my doctors surgery if they could draw blood for me to send off to a private testing lab, they refused. My blood was not even tested for antibodies until I lived in Greece for a while... so for 30 years I did not know my Thyroid issues were Hashimotos.... I have no faith in the NHS system.
Hi I’m sorry that you are not happy with your medication, but do you feel better on the 100 mg of thyroxine? When you do manage to get the blood test ask for the antibodies test plus vitamin d, because trying to get the right medication helps to ward off all the other autoimmune complications. Not everyone has problems but your blood test tell the endocrinologist a lot. All the best for the future Wakeham.
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.
Full bloods for thyroid and vitamins
New here, undiagnosed, Normal TSH Low T4
It's all in my head!
Endocrinologist app
new here need advice for my daughter
