In the UK, how does one find a reliable private blood test provider?

[Thefells]

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.

[RedApple Administrator]

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...

[Thefells in reply to RedApple]

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.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

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...

[Thefells in reply to SlowDragon]

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.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Thefells]

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

[irec in reply to Thefells]

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.