thyroid test : I would like to know where I can... - Thyroid UK

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thyroid test

Janeylou69 profile image
32 Replies

I would like to know where I can get a full thyroid panel test done because my doctor only tests tsh , and at a cheap price if possible thanks

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Janeylou69
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Ideally you would test thyroid and vitamins at least once a year

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

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Come back with new post once you get results

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

I've had my tsh tested on friday and that was it ,the results haven't gone online yet but they say its normal my vitamins were tested a few months ago and I have anemia ,low vit d ,low folate but I've got tablets for all them but I feel so weak,extremely tired ,I can't do anything ,I wake up exhausted and feeling rubbish so wanted to get ft4 and ft3 tested thanks.

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

My antibodies were tested ages ago but the lab wrote a note not to test them again which I thought was weird, I've no idea why ,how much more would it cost to have antibodies tested .

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toJaneylou69

Hi

Once your antibodies have been confirmed there's no real point checking them again. Antibodies fluctuate all the time and are a symptom, not the cause of your thyroid issues.

I've checked mine twice, once privately, once NHS, both times negative so I shan't bother again. If yours was tested, confirmed Hashimoto's as the cause of your underactive thyroid then testing the antibodies again isn't useful. You're always going to have Hashi's.

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSparklingsunshine

Hi sparklingsunshine My doctor didn't say anything about being hashimotos ,when they tested antibodies all it said was no need to test them again there wasn't any range or number and to only test tsh which I don't know anything about it so I'm confused ,I was looking at when i first got diagnosed with hypothyroid ,they tested ft4 and it was 8 ,sorry I can't remember the range , but they haven't tested ft4 since that one and only time,,im really worried about all this ,I'm seem to be in a dark place every day ,it's miserable thanks for your reply .

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJaneylou69

suggest you get hold of your old test results

You are legally entitled to copies of your test results

When testing thyroid and vitamins privately, BOTH TPO and TG Antibodies are included anyway

NHS only tests once……so they never see that, for many people with autoimmune thyroid disease, going on gluten free diet frequently slowly reduces TPO antibodies

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

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

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

hi slowdragon ive just got my tsh results from the 2nd of september ,on that day i didnt take any levythyroxine

Just words
Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

hi slowdragon i have my nhs records online ,but i wasnt sure what ones to put on here thanks .

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

some of my results

Dark words
Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

some more reukts

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Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

blood test results

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Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

more results

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Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

results

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Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

results

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Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

results

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Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

Results

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Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toJaneylou69

Hi

As SD has said you need your blood test results. Ranges vary from lab to lab so its no good second guessing. And normal or in range doesnt mean optimal. Once you get hold of them please post and members will comment.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

There are a few options. Note there are discount codes available for some companies :

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

Options :

1) Tests TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 :

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

2) Tests as above plus antibodies :

medichecks.com/products/thy...

There may be other options I haven't thought of.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

First and most obvious thing

Ferritin 8 (13-150)

Ferritin is extremely deficient

Make an immediate appointment with GP

You need full iron panel test for anaemia

Will definitely need iron supplements, possibly iron transfusion

Any obvious reason for low iron/ferritin

Are you vegetarian, vegan or suffer heavy periods?

TSH is too high and strongly suggests you need dose increase in levothyroxine

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Which brand of levothyroxine

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

You need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested together

Is there a Ft4 result?

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning around 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Folate is far too low

Can’t see B12 result or vitamin D result

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

just seen that ferritin results are from Dec 21

So you must get retested now

Low iron and/or low ferritin frequently linked to hair loss

Heavy periods are classic sign of being hypothyroid and will lead to low iron and ferritin

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency

Also See page 7 on here 

rcn.org.uk/-/media/royal-co...

Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet 

Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption

List of iron rich foods

dailyiron.net

Links about iron and ferritin

An article that explains why Low ferritin and low thyroid levels are often linked 

preventmiscarriage.com/iron...

 

irondisorders.org/too-littl...

davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...

Great in-depth article on low ferritin 

oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...

drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

“This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.”

Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron 

Medichecks iron panel test 

medichecks.com/products/iro...

Iron and thyroid link

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Posts discussing why important to do full iron panel test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Chicken livers if iron is good, but ferritin low

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Heme iron v non heme

hsph.harvard.edu/nutritions...

Good explanations of iron 

theironclinic.com/iron-defi...

theironclinic.com/ironc/wp/...

Helpful info on iron infusion and supplements 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

recommend getting full thyroid and vitamin testing done yourself now

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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

hi slowdragon my last tsh was 2.78 i think yiu might have seen it but i made sure that i didnt take levythroxine that day ,and i agree ,i will get my vitamins tested privately ,im not a big meat fan ,i only eat it occasionally, im not vegan but i do like the vegetarian foods ,ive had heavy periods as well .thanks for your reply .

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJaneylou69

are you still taking iron supplements?

GP should redo full iron panel every 3-4 months

what other vitamin supplements are you currently taking

on levothyroxine TSH should ALWAYS be below 2

Most people when adequately treated will have TSH around or under one

But frequently need to improve low vitamin levels to optimal in order to tolerate higher dose levothyroxine

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must have OPTIMAL vitamin levels

Optimal vitamin levels are

Vitamin D at least over 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better

Ferritin at least over 70 and nearer 100 may be better

Folate at least half way through range

Serum B12 at least over 500

Active B12 at least over 70

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

yes im taking iron supplements, ive had ferritin problems for years ive just started taking vit d and folate ,im on 3 monthly b12 injections as well .

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJaneylou69

how much vitamin D are you currently taking

Is it mouth spray or tablets/gels

If it’s tablets or gels must be four hours away from levothyroxine and taken with fattest meal of the day

Iron supplements must be minimum 4 hours away from levothyroxine and 2 hours away from any other supplements

After you get blood test done ……probably want to change from just supplementing folate to a good quality vitamin B complex instead

As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels between injections too

Difference between folate and folic acid 

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) 

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

i take one of the gel vit d 3000 ,i never knew any of this info coz the doctor doesnt tell you at all .

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Also

You know antibodies are high. This confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease.

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.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Gluten free diet

if not already on strictly gluten free diet request/insist of coeliac blood test BEFORE Considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

1.1 Recognition of coeliac disease

 1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:people with any of the following: 

persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal

symptoms faltering growth

Prolonged fatigue 

unexpected weight loss

severe or persistent mouth ulcers

unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis

autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis

irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)

first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease

Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels 

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working 

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances.

Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common. 

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link) 

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies 

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first 

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet 

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially) 

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi slowdragon do i have hashimotos xx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJaneylou69

yes….your results above list that you have already had high thyroid antibodies confirmed at diagnosis

Vast majority of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

If you don’t have a goitre it will be Ord’s ….where thyroid shrinks and shrivels up

You might be utterly astonished at improvements on gluten free diet….but essential to test for coeliac BEFORE cutting gluten out

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

ive been tested for coeliac disease and it came back negative ,well im shocked my doctor never said anything about hashimotos ,they really should of said that to me thankyou slowdragon for all the infomation you have given me .

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toJaneylou69

NHS is not interested in the cause ….they just treat subsequent hypothyroidism

About 80% of autoimmune thyroid patients find noticeable improvement on strictly gluten free diet and/or dairy free diet

I was utterly astonished…..more on my profile

I wasted 20 plus years ….just taking levothyroxine….with multiple vitamin deficiencies and unrealised food intolerances

Just gone dairy free too …..and again already seeing further improvements

Janeylou69 profile image
Janeylou69 in reply toSlowDragon

well after all those years finally you are seeing improvement which is good news ,i hope i will see some improvement .thanks slowdragon .

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