hospital.NHS. Cutbacks

[Gettingoldnow]

due to it being difficult to get my normal 50 levo I am now on 2 x25 levo .I actually take 50 on Monday and Friday and rest of days 75

So

decided to ask for a blood test to check things are still in range

The nurse gave

me a form for TSH and T4 tests to be done which I confirmed with her My results came back TSH only and on the form it says since august only TSH will be tested

Has anybody found this ? How can they work from TSH only as my last tests were abnormal with a high TSH and a high T4

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is actually completely inadequate

And yes just testing TSH completely useless

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Recommended on here that 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 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 

Thousands of U.K. patients forced to test privately to make progress

eg

Medichecks results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Blue horizon results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Monitor My Health results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[Gettingoldnow in reply to SlowDragon]

ank you yes I think i will be going private .but last time I did this my doc refused to even look at them ..looks like another battle with docs and nhs

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gettingoldnow]

come back with new post once you get results

Members can advise on next steps

Frequently necessary to self supplement to maintain optimal vitamin levels

NHS only tests and treats vitamin deficiencies

We need optimal vitamin levels

You look like you’re on very small dose levothyroxine

Unless extremely petite likely in need of dose increase

[Gettingoldnow]

thank you for your input which is appreciated..

My TSH came back (fasting) at 3.55 (0.3-5) on the notes it said as from the 8/8/2022 only TSH will be tested which horrified me ..I do take D3 and B12 so they should be ok I do have hashimotos …in future I will now get it done private with all 3 done TSH FT 4 and T3 with vitamin levels ..and take it to my senior GP for.an assertive discussion ..but he has to comply with NHS so I don’t know where this will lead but I hope to write to my MP as well asking why as it’s my health At stake and now I have to pay …I am only 5 foot 2 and 9 stone and small boned hence the amount I take .i am feeling well at the moment having had covid and recently phneumonia ..so will see how it goes …

[Partner20 in reply to Gettingoldnow]

In fact NHS thyroid testing protocol has always been to only test FT4 if TSH is abnormal, and FT3 only when symptoms are unresolved, or if it needs monitoring due to treatment being given. You can check the GP guidelines for thyroid testing to see this, so your treatment is only to be expected as your GP is only following the rules. In many areas, like mine, the lab always does FT4, (and FT3 if an acceptable reason is given), but this may change of course. Regarding privately-obtained results, a GP is in fact under no obligation to accept or act on them, although some do, and others may run further testing on the basis of seeing them. As you have recently had both Covid and pneumonia this may have caused your RSH to rise, so you may need more time for your thyroid levels to settle. Hopefully you will feel better soon.

[Gettingoldnow in reply to Partner20]

thank you for your input I will look up NHS guidlines as I have always had TSH and FT4 tested as my levels do fluctuate and my doctor admitted they know very little on the thyroid .issues .he said he would send to an endo and it came back the reply was .i don’t think this lady needs an endo at this time ..my TSh and fT4 T the time was out of range ..but I suppose someone out there must know about thyroid issues ..I live in hope thanks your input was helpful ..

[Partner20 in reply to Gettingoldnow]

Unfortunately all referrals are triaged, and endos will generally reject a GP referral if they think the GP can manage the condition in question, by tweaking medication, for instance. From personal experience I can tell you that this does not just occur with hypothyroidism issues, but also with other endocrine problems. It also happens in other areas of medicine, too, so no area of medicine is really better than another, it often simply depends on the medical professionals involved.

[Gettingoldnow in reply to Partner20]

thank you for that info very useful ..it looks like I will have to try and monitor my own thyroid and use private ..if I have to just buy what I need on line ..a sorry state of the NHS ..