Incomplete Test Results: I went for a blood test... - Thyroid UK

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Incomplete Test Results

AppleOrchard profile image
33 Replies

I went for a blood test yesterday morning (8.10am). I didn’t eat or drink beforehand and I took my last dose of T4 24 hours before and T3 10 hours before.

I requested T3 and so did the doctor saying the consultant had asked for it. It’s not there. Could it just be delayed and come on Monday?

Is there anything that can be seen from what’s there?

Thank you very much.

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AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard
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33 Replies
Yeswithasmile profile image
Yeswithasmile

From my experience if the lab don’t feel it necessary the lab won’t do it.

I think it’s unlikely you’ll get it as a later result. Sorry but I think you’ll need to do your own.

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to Yeswithasmile

Thank you! How very disappointing. It means I’ll have to do it all again, privately.

Yeswithasmile profile image
Yeswithasmile in reply to AppleOrchard

I know. It is disappointing. One can’t help but wonder how they can over rule requests 🤷‍♀️ They don’t know the details but that’s what happens. You probably know already but monitor my health is the cheapest for t3. Good luck.

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to Yeswithasmile

I don’t understand how they can over rule either. It comes from a consultant so how can they decide not to do it!

Lulu2607 profile image
Lulu2607 in reply to AppleOrchard

I agree. In my experience a consultant's request is not overruled.

Yeswithasmile profile image
Yeswithasmile in reply to AppleOrchard

I think it depends on the consultant. My endocrinologists tests are never overruled but gp and gastro and rheumatologists have.

I don’t get it but then I don’t get a lot of things that go on in this world 🤣. I pick my battles. You know the one where it’s says give me the courage to change the things I can/can’t and wisdom to know the difference…. 😊

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to Yeswithasmile

I have never had it been refused before. Perhaps it’s just delayed. The allergy test results aren’t there either. I’ll call first thing on Monday to check what’s happened. Thank you

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

I requested T3 and so did the doctor saying the consultant had asked for it. It’s not there. Could it just be delayed and come on Monday?

Unlikely. They can all be done together, mine are when I have a GP test and are all usually back the next day. The lab can ignore the request if they feel like it if TSH/FT4 are in range.

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to SeasideSusie

It’s amazing they can ignore a direct instruction from the GP and a consultant. I’ll have to do my own, unfortunately.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to AppleOrchard

Cheapest for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 is Monitor My Health which is an NHS at Exeter hospital which offers this test to the general public for £26.10 with code here:

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

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you very much. I’ll speak to the doctor on Monday and see what can be done there. I also had allergy testing done and that’s not come either.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Looking at previous posts, you said GP won’t test vitamin levels so you need to test these as well

Cheapest is Medichecks

all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

On T3 day before test split daily dose into 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last 1/3rd of daily dose 8-12 hours before test

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

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 and antibodies 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/

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you very much indeed. I didn’t split my T3 the day before. I took it all 10 hours before (25 mcg). What difference would that have made? I’ll look into the various options for private testing but I’ll also have a last go with the GP. I’m just not sure how I’d do the private test. When I had covid I tried to do the antibody test. I got about two drops of blood despite trying extremely hard to get more!

Thank you very much again.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to AppleOrchard

Both Medichecks and Blue horizon offer private blood draw (at extra cost)

You should always split T3 the day before test…..taking half or third of daily dose 8-12 hours before test

T3 only remains in blood 12 hours

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Noelnoel profile image
Noelnoel in reply to SlowDragon

SlowDragon, which of the above is best for an iron panel test please

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to Noelnoel

I can’t see your full reply but I know you wrote something! Thank you - I will contact my GP on Monday and see what she says.

Noelnoel profile image
Noelnoel in reply to AppleOrchard

I just said I had a similar experience and luckily my GP requested it again

If your GP doesn’t contact you, you could contact the surgery and ask. They can only say no

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Noelnoel

Medichecks do full iron panel test

Medichecks iron panel test

medichecks.com/products/iro...

Stop iron supplements a week before test

Test should be fasting early morning

Don’t eat steak the night before test

Noelnoel profile image
Noelnoel in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you SlowDragon

Or liver I presume. It’s for hubby actually. I’m pleased to say mine are ok for the time being

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Noelnoel

Yes….no iron rich food night before

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44

I would definitely ring your surgery and ask them to contact the Lab stressing that, as you’re taking T3, it’s imperative that your FT3 is measured. It will depend on how long the Lab keeps the blood sample. It’s absolutely disgraceful that the Labs have the power to ignore requests from GPs/Endos.

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to Gingernut44

I will do that for sure. It is disgraceful indeed. How can they over rule a doctor, let alone a consultant. I do wonder if it’s still to come because I had allergy testing done at the same time and those results haven’t come through yet.

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply to AppleOrchard

I wouldn’t wait to find out. Speak to your surgery first.

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to Gingernut44

I will call first thing on Monday. Thank you

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to AppleOrchard

But if last dose T3 was 24 hours before test, it won’t tell you much anyway

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to SlowDragon

Last dose was 10 hours before test.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to AppleOrchard

That’s ok then 😁

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to SlowDragon

Is it okay even though I took the whole dose (25 mcg) all at once 10 hours before? Thank you

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to AppleOrchard

Well that would give false high Ft3 result

Always split T3 into two or 3 smaller doses spread through the day on day before test

Thousands upon thousands of U.K. patients forced to test privately to make progress

Testing full thyroid and vitamins once year via Medichecks or Blue horizon

Testing just TSH , Ft4 and Ft3 via Monitor My Health (NHS) private testing service after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine or T3 £26.10 but has to be DIY fingerprick test …

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I had this problem. In the end the consultant had to send me a blood form and then had it done at GP surgery . They’ll only do TSH here in Yorkshire even when GP asks for the lot. It’s disgraceful.

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard in reply to

It’s really unbelievable that they can do that. At least you got yours done in the end.

beaubeau1121 profile image
beaubeau1121

Hi!My T3 is always days later…

AppleOrchard profile image
AppleOrchard

That is interesting to know! It is still not there but perhaps that is a blessing given that I didn't take the T3 correctly the day before. How many days later does it usually come? Thank you!I have only just seen this which is why I haven't replied before now.

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