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
thyroid test : I would like to know where I can... - Thyroid UK
thyroid test
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Janeylou69
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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...
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
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
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.
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 .
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.
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 .
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
hi slowdragon ive just got my tsh results from the 2nd of september ,on that day i didnt take any levythyroxine
Just words
hi slowdragon i have my nhs records online ,but i wasnt sure what ones to put on here thanks .
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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 .
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
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 .
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
i take one of the gel vit d 3000 ,i never knew any of this info coz the doctor doesnt tell you at all .
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.
Hi slowdragon do i have hashimotos xx
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
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 .
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
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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