Purchased Medichecks Advanced Thyroid Function Test and decided to also to pay for a venous blood sample to be taken at a clinic. I had chosen the clinic visit to try and ensure that I received a folate level.
It turns out that they have a arrangement with Superdrug to take the samples. The problem is the earliest appointment they offer is 09.30hrs they did say they could possibly book me an appointment at 09.20hrs. When I explained the need for an earlier test I was told their advice was before 10.00am. This is my experience as someone living in the North East.
They clinic website does state it offers a service from 09.00hrs to 16.00hrs but this is not actually the case as they apparently carry out admin tasks between 09.00 - 09.30hrs.
I was offered the opportunity to change to a home visit at an extra cost of £25.00 with the earliest being in 2 - 3 weeks!
Eventually it was agreed that they would send me out a pin prick test and refund me the cost of the clinic visit. I am considering contacting another clinic in the area.
The question is have I actually cut my nose off to spite my face, is 9.20hrs actually too late?
Thanks
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Divine1990
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The question is have I actually cut my nose off to spite my face, is 9.20hrs actually too late?
This depends on whether the TSH result is important, as in whether your GP is going to see these results and is likely to adjust your dose of Levo by TSH.
If you look at the graph below then you'll see the difference in TSH level between 9am and a little bit later, and the 9.20am level will probably be about the same as if you do the test at about 8.30am.
We have to remember that TSH is only really important for diagnosis, once on thyroid replacement hormone then it isn't much use because it's the FT4 and FT3 that tell us our thyroid status.
If this test is for your own personal use I wouldn't worry about it.
I am thinking to also book a private test also so to know timings is great, i have my anti bodies and normal bloods happening at my drs surgery on the 5th oct but this is at 1pm and that's the earliest date and time they could give - i'm guessing this is well to late?
i have my anti bodies and normal bloods happening at my drs surgery on the 5th oct but this is at 1pm and that's the earliest date and time they could give - i'm guessing this is well to late?
Yes, it's far too late for a GP test. GP will adjust dose according to TSH and if you check the graph I posted you will see that 1pm is the lowest point of the day for TSH and 9am is the highest point. You need TSH to be as high as possible if you want to avoid an unnecessary dose reduction of Levo or if you're looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
I would cancel that appointment (make up any excuse) and rebook for as close to 9am as possible, however long you have to wait. If they say they don't do thyroid tests early morning then tell them that because of .... you can't get there at any other time.
Always advised here, when having thyroid tests:
* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day.
In fact, 9am is the perfect time, see first graph here, it shows TSH is highest around midnight - 4am (when we can't get a blood draw), then lowers, next high is at 9am then lowers before it starts it's climb again about 9pm:
If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the test - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Certain foods may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
[* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.]
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).
I am just about to arrange similar. Thank for the heads up. I would like to have discussed it with my GP. Last chance. However I don’t think it will matter about the useless TSH. See you there. Ha!
A possible alternative might be the closest NHS hospital to you with a phlebotomy department.
My nearest NHS hospital with a phlebotomy department will take blood for payment. You could phone up and ask if they provide this service and how much it costs. After the blood is taken they should just return the blood tube(s) to you and you can deal with it as necessary i.e. packaging it up for posting to the lab.
Wow Divine you did not warn about the phone call to make the appointment! Maybe you did yours online. Their extremely long winded pre info, just about drove me bonkers. The email address came quite early and fast and was not repeated so I just had to keep hanging on. It was not a good experience. Also they wanted info I had not been given by the testing company. Just keeping my fingers crossed the actual blood draw gives me a bit more confidence.
Well I had already prepaid and organised the appointment (and a different box from the pin prick box) by the time I saw humanbean’s post, so no not at the hospital. Keep us locals posted if you find a hospital. There is a private person I see in our area but she is £60 for a blood draw.
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