Deals on Test?

[sunflower022]

Hello there.

I was thinking of looking to buy tests soon for a full Thyroid test and possibly most vitamins as well. Does anyone do any offers at all on these tests ? And maybe on black Friday?

Kind regards

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

The Thyroid UK website has discount codes there for the major blood tests. Also medichecks do Thyroid Thursday deals.

[sunflower022 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you so so much for your reply. I appreciate your help

[RedApple Administrator]

Link to testing company discount codes via ThyroidUK thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[sunflower022 in reply to RedApple]

Thank you so so much for your reply. I appreciate your help .

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

sunflower022

ThyroidUK's web page listing testing companies and any discounts offered.

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

Medichecks and Blue Horizon are the most popular for full thyroid/vitamin tests. Monitor My Health are cheapest for basic thyroid tet (TSH, FT4 and FT3).

If you sign up to their Newsletters you should get details of any offers sent to you.

Medichecks has one random thyroid related test on special offer every Thursday (for 24 hours only), you can't use the normal discount code with a test on special offer.

None are showing any Black Friday offers at the moment.

[sunflower022 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so so much for your reply. I appreciate your help, I will keep an eye out in these sites.

[sunflower022 in reply to sunflower022]

Which test sites would be best and the safest to use ? Kind regards

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sunflower022]

They are all accredited and safe. Blue Horizon and Medichecks often use the same lab to process the tests so there's not a lot in it, just check out what the test bundles offer and the price then choose which you think is most suitable for you. Monitor My Health is an NHS lab based in Exeter hospital so if you intend to show your results to your doctor then these would possibly be more acceptable than the other labs, but the tests offered by MMH are limited, and many doctors wont accept any private test results.

If you decide to do a fingerprick test (cheapest option as you have to pay for phlebotomy for venous blood draw unless you know a friendly nurse willing to do it for you for free) then I have some tips I can post for you so please ask if you want them.

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:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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).

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.

[sunflower022 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Okay brilliant. Thank you. That is a lot to take in but I appreciate all that as it is all stuff I need to know. I was wondering what you think is best to do ? Whether to do the test myself or go into a hospital with the form?I have hear you can do that but unsure if that is true. I don't know if I could get anyone to do it for me like a nurse as I don't know anyone but I could see on that one. I didn't realise that some doctors won't expect blood test from some companies , I would want someone to check over my results.

Kind regards

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sunflower022]

Some members are lucky enough that their GP surgery will allow blood draw (some may charge), some hospitals will allow blood draw for private tests. My surgery wont and my local hospital wont unless GP sends written request. You will have to make enquiries.Blue Horizon and Medichecks both offer phlebotomy service either at a clinic or at home but it is at extra cost, check their websites.

Some of us find we can do fingerprick tests easily, some struggle, some just can't manage them. I have no problem.

You can find videos on the internet showing how to do a fingerprick test:

google.com/search?q=Mediche...

If you do a test and send it off yourself only post on a Monday or Tuesday, preferably with Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed Next Day by 1pm so that it is not delayed (you have to pay for it and keep the receipt with tracking number). The enclosed Tracked24 return envelope included in the kit does not guarantee next day delivery. Check for postal strikes, there are quite a few planned.

[sunflower022 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hello there sorry for the delay in reply. All this is really good to know. Thank you so much. I will make some enquiries about this and see what is the best to do and take it from there. All your help is greatly appreciated.