blood test tomorrow, any tips

[lostherpocket]

Hi all. I have a blood test booked for 8am tomorrow. Last one was June 2019 Is it better to have an empty stomach ? I have asked for T3, T4 and TSH - should I ask for anything else ?

[OudMood]

I’m sure others will be coming along too but the following are indications:- Fasted, only water

- if on Levo last dose must be 24hrs before

- if on T3 last dose must be 8hrs before

- take the earliest slot

I think that’s about it…

[lostherpocket in reply to OudMood]

Thanks for your reply. I am on Erfa so took my last meds this morning at 7am. I am due another dose at 3pm today but will not take that one. Thanks for the tip about water only

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lostherpocket]

You should take last dose Erfa approx 8-12 hours before test

So take last dose at 7pm

You should have vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested at least once a year

[lostherpocket in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the info. Thanks to you I will take my "list of requirements" with me tomorrow morning. When i have had blood tests before I have never asked for B12 - am I likely to get some opposition or is it the norm?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lostherpocket]

Is this NHS test?

NHS rarely tests anything other than TSH

worth requesting …..As per guidelines, testing vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[lostherpocket in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes this is a NHS test but GP knows I am taking Erfa and has requested T3 T4 TSH Cholesterol ,Folate, Ferritin etc., but not (that I know of anyway) Vit D or B12. I had been on Naturethroid since 2008 but when it was recalled I asked for and was given Erfa. GP knows that T3 especially is the important one for me. I take Vitamin D and turmeric but that's all at the mo.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lostherpocket]

Lab often won’t include Ft3 even if GP requests it

See what comes back…..anything missing test privately