Hi All. I live in the UK. Where can I enquire to having private blood tests to check relevant thyroid markers and vitamin levels? Thanks.
In the UK, how does one find a reliable private... - Thyroid UK
In the UK, how does one find a reliable private blood test provider?
Welcome to the forum Thefells,
The private labs that many of us use are listed here on the main ThyroidUK website thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
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 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested in past?
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
If On T3 or NDT - 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
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...
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...
Many thousands of members get private testing
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning
If taking any supplements that contain biotin stop these a week before blood test as biotin can falsely affect test results
If testing iron levels stop iron supplements a week before test and do test fasting
Examples of results
Medichecks
healthunlocked.com/search/p...
Blue horizon
healthunlocked.com/search/p...
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thank you so much for all that information. It is appreciated. My G.P. only tests the TSH and moved me downwards from 150 dosage to 100 dosage, and I bacame very ill. Still recovering and have had the dosage increased to 125.
Never agree to dose reduction of levothyroxine unless had full thyroid and vitamin testing done
If Ft3 isn’t over range you aren’t over medicated
Extremely important to regularly retest vitamin levels, especially after dose reduction
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
My GP does this too. When I told him I still don't feel as though my dosage is right and listed the symptoms he said 'It isn't like pain where there is no test and it is subjective. We have a test and we go on the results alone'. I told him he was going against guidelines but he would not listen. TSH only. So frustrating.