Parathyroid and bone profile test sites

[Cade83]

Does anyone know the cheapest online places to get parathyroid and bone profile tested? Found many places that do it but not on the same site? Also is it possible to get them done via finger prick or do both of these require venous blood? I went to the drs about my fatigue, low heart rate and bp. Also asked about trialling t3. Basically he doesn’t think there’s anything to worry about but I’m absolutely frustrated that I’m just falling asleep all the time. I can’t live like this. I’ll be on FaceTime with my family and I’ll be falling asleep. After looking though previous blood tests I found that a year ago my serum inorganic phosphate was 0.7 range being 0.8-1.5 and my parathyroid was 6.7 range being 1.6-7.2 so not far from out and phosphate is .1 below. I’m starting to wander whether this might now be out of range and something serious is going on. Half the time I feel like I’m not breathing properly and feel like my neck is swollen but it’s not visibly swollen. I really don’t know what else to do I’m even falling asleep writing this. It’s ridiculous. Tests from previous results are on my last post. TIA

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you in the U.K. ?

Parathyroid can’t be done by postal test as needs processing immediately

Looking at previous post

TSH 0.44 Range 0.27-4.2

FT4 18.8 Range 12-22

FT3 4.9. Range 3.1-6.8

Ft4 is 68.00% through range

Ft3 only 48.65% through range

Ft3 is far too low

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

You could try increasing levothyroxine by 25mcg

Likely to need T3 added

conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 is frequently poor with Hashimoto’s

Vitamin levels good

Have you had coeliac blood test and are you on strictly gluten free diet

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

[Cade83 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yeah I’m in the UK. I’m currently taking 87.5mcg. Is it worth buying T3 from outside source online from a pharmacy? I’ve had coeliac blood test and negative but not strictly gluten free even though I don’t really eat much processed foods. I always get the same brand of levothyroxine.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cade83]

Suggest you try increasing levothyroxine to 100mcg

You could split as 50mcg waking and 50mcg at bedtime if it’s difficult to tolerate full 100mcg as single dose

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo?

Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight is 1.6mcg per kilo per day …..but it’s only a guide ….some need more

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors who will prescribe T3

[e-mail]

Roughly where in U.K. are you?

Private prescription enables access to Thybon Henning 20mcg tablets T3 at 50p-60p per tablet

Typical dose of T3 is 3 x 5mcg per day (cutting 20mcg tablets into 1/4’s)

Likely to need to try absolutely strictly gluten free diet before trying T3

[Cade83 in reply to SlowDragon]

It would make it more awkward splitting doses as I specifically take all my other meds night time so I don’t take them together. I weigh 71kg so would be about 113mcg. I’m I’m in south west England in Devon which makes it very hard to find anyone decent. I can try gluten free but it’s very hard as I’m already eating cleaner than I was 10 weeks ago. My vices are probably not gluten free. I eat a lot of fibre one bars.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cade83]

Avoiding all soya is essential for anyone on levothyroxine

Fibre one bars contain wheat and soya

Suggest you find something else more suitable

Until on adequate dose levothyroxine there’s no point considering adding T3

Check the Thyroid U.K. list in readiness

If no one on list in Devon

many others on the Thyroid U.K. list are still doing consultations on zoom

Presumably you wear a Fitbit or Apple Watch or equivalent

Print out records showing low heart rate as evidence on needing dose increase in levothyroxine

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Print out guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight too to use as evidence of needing dose increase in blood

most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until eventually on, or near full replacement dose

NICE guidelines on full replacement dose

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...

1.3.6

Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.

Also here

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

BMJ also clear on dose required

bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m41

[Spangle15]

Was your calcium tested at the same time as your pth?

[Cade83 in reply to Spangle15]

Yeah calcium was 2.33 range 2.1-2.5 so that was in range. I also read this morning about increased risk of thyroid cancer and high autoantibodies particularly the thyroglobulin. Which makes me a bit on edge.

[lolajone]

Low phosphate was what prompted a primary hyper parathyroid diagnosis for me. GP wasn’t interested that phosphate was below range but endo I was seeing for thyroid issues followed it up when I mentioned it. Ask for more tests. I have osteopaenia due to it being “long term undiagnosed”

[Cade83 in reply to lolajone]

How low was your phosphate? Was anything else found due to hyperparathyroidism? I’m gonna get my phosphate tested again privately. I’m really struggling with feeling like the front of my neck is swollen in the front when I swallow and the feeling like my breathing is uneasy feels horrendous.

[lolajone in reply to Cade83]

Phosphate was as yours just below range. I had top of range calcium for ages which then edged over limit. PTH was also high. It is the relationship between Ca and PTH they need to look at and also Vit D. I also felt a lump when swallowing and was really breathless. I’d recommend joining Hyperparathyroid UK action4change on Facebook which is an excellent support group

[Hedgeree]

Hi Cade83,

With you having a swollen feeling in your throat/thyroid have you been seen by your GP and referred for an ultrasound?

I know it is difficult to get any where near a surgery these days but you need an ultrasound of your thyroid.

Apologies if you've already done that? I've not read any previous posts of yours (being a bit lazy this morning)

Best wishes.

[Cade83 in reply to Hedgeree]

I’m currently waiting to see a dr now actually. Hoping she’ll actually do something cause I really don’t feel well. Have a constant dry mouth and throat. Breathing is harder and I thought I’d do a covid test just in case and noticed one of my tonsils is bleeding. So I’m really worried about what’s going on right now.

[Hedgeree in reply to Cade83]

That's great. Is she a good GP? Someone that listens to you and doesn't dismiss your symptoms?

It's scary when you don't feel well and different symptoms keep surfacing. Try not to go down into the spiral of doom (that's what I call it)..which is really difficult I know.

Best wishes.

[Cade83 in reply to Hedgeree]

Never seen her before, she checked my throat, few lymph nodes were up. Listened to my lungs, checked my oxygen, looked at my throat and said it was a bit red but tonsils didn’t seem inflamed. Gave me the option of trying gaviscon just in case I have silent reflux or wait to see if this passes even though I’ve had the lumpy throat thing on and off for couple years but feels like it’s getting worse. Said about parathyroid and she said they don’t normally check it unless calcium was high but didn’t even offer to check that. How am I suppose to feel better after that. I wish drs surgeries would give patients an option to have whatever bloods they want if they pay for them. It’s so frustrating.

[Hedgeree in reply to Cade83]

Did you ask for an ultrasound referral for your thyroid?

[Cade83 in reply to Hedgeree]

I said about concerns about it being related to thyroid or parathyroid glands and she checked my thyroid and seemed to think it was ok not enlarged or lumpy 🤷🏻‍♂️

[Hedgeree in reply to Cade83]

Oh no. Well at least you tried and she examined you.

[Cade83 in reply to Hedgeree]

Trying to get anything investigated these days is like pulling teeth out. There’s no precautions anymore, it’s black or white. Nothing is investigated until your half dead these days. It’s shocking.

[Hedgeree in reply to Cade83]

Yes I understand that. As like many others on the forum I've also had to battle to be taken seriously. Difficult when you don't feel well and have to persuade another that your symptoms aren't imaginary.