Recomended at home test kits for Thyroid testing

[Fabcat]

Are there any at he test kits that I can do myself amd then show my gp. NHS gps wont listen to me. I only have TSH tested yet i am not convinced and certain severe symptoms are telling me to keep checking.

[RedApple Administrator]

Welcome to the forum Fabcat.

The testing companies used by members are listed here thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

For a basic thyroid testing panel of TSH, FT4, FT3 and TPO antibodies, Monitor My Heath is best value. monitormyhealth.org.uk/adva... (10% off with code THYROIDUK10 at checkout)

[PurpleNails Administrator]

What are your symptoms? 

Do you have a thyroid issue diagnosis? Or do you suspect you do?

 You are right that TSH is inadequate.  Has doctor tested any nutrients such as folate,ferritin, B12 & vitamin D.  

The are lots of private options. See list of companies offering different options, some packages include thyroid function, key nutrients and thyroid Antibodies.  Others basic function only.  some also have discount codes available.

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

You order test online the kits arrives via post sample taken by finger prick (extra fee for private venous draw). Post back and results available online quite quickly.  

Monitor my health offer - thyroid function (TSH, FT4 & FT3)  

Medichecks offer - thyroid advanced (function, antibodies & key nutrients) 

You can take results to GP & ask they be added to records & some GPs are wiling to accept & act using result but most say they refuse to trust them & will not acknowledge them, In which case you have strong grounds they repeat own test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ideally, if you can afford it test FULL thyroid including thyroid antibodies and vitamins

ALWAYS test early morning for highest TSH, ideally just before 9am

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

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)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

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

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/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

But doesn’t include thyroid antibodies

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

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...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[Fruitandnutcase]

Fabcat - I had Graves’ disease back in 2011, I’m in remission now but I got fed up with doctors talking about giving me RAI should I relapse when they only seemed to test TSH and T4 that ever since then I’ve just by-passed them and do my own home fingerprick blood tests via Medichecks. I use the Medichecks Advanced Thyroid Function which tests full thyroid function, antibodies, inflammation and vitamins. Much easier than begging your doctors to do tests.