Testing TSH only?!

[Florah]

Good evening,

When I usually get a blood test it is T3, T4 & TSH. My recent blood test on Monday it was only TSH tested- Why is this? What is the point? Why has it changed? Any ideas?

Thanks

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

They think they have the answer (TSH) which of course we know they don't. You've done well to be getting FT3's done I have to say. My lab only do that if TSH is suppressed. It's like this all over the country now so members of this group pay private companies like Medichecks and Monitor My Health to get the results they need. Sad times.

[Florah in reply to Jaydee1507]

Jaydee1507 , really I didn’t know that! It’s so bad , the treatment isn’t great. Feel for us with the condition.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As per previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You really need BOTH antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease

Did you find any previous antibody test results in historic test results?

[Florah in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon

I will attempt to look for this

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What was TSH result?

Presumably very low

They should automatically have tested Ft4 and Ft3

Contact GP on Monday and get bloods retested

[Florah in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon

I haven’t got it yet! I emailed the consultants secretary Friday and no response, so will call today! I go to my GP practice for bloods and asked why FT3 &4 wasn’t tested. And was fobbed off as usual “That’s what your consultant requested”

[G3miniStar]

Money saving, plain and simple. My GP told me that my area's NHS trust will only allow the testing of T4 IF the TSH is off - even if it's borderline but within their 'normal' range then they won't test it. He said because for the +/-95% of people without thyroid disease it's pointless testing T4 if TSH is normal because that will be normal as well. It's an NHS cost-cutting measure and I'm sure lots of people will now be misdiagnosed and potentially harmed along the way, but it cuts costs so who cares, right..

[McPammy]

I have always been able to get my TSH and T4 checked by my GP. At that point I knew nothing about T3 as it was never explained. Shame as I found out im a very poor converter of T4 to T3. Since being prescribed T3 medication along with T4 levothyroxine about 4 years ago my GP surgery always checks TSH, T4 and T3. The blood form has the TSH and T4 printed on it, to get T3 checked they have to hand write it in the form and signed it. That has worked now for nearly 4 years. Maybe ask your GP to hand write T3 and T4 on the blood form. It might just work.

[Ruby1]

They've only tested TSH for years at my GPs. It may be to do with the contract they have with your local trust (just a guess from me). Everything has to be paid for, so I guess less tests are cheaper?

NHS seems to be going to pot around here. All our local GPs seem to be leaving. One local practice has lost 6 GPS and they now have one locum. No-one wants to be a GP these days it seems.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous results a month ago

Free T3- 7.2 (3.1 - 6.8 ) 

Free T4- 26.2 (12-22.0) 

TSH- 0.05 (0.30-5.00)

With TSH below range and being tested for possible return of Graves’ disease you MUST have TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested together

Also need TSI or Trab antibodies tested for Graves’ disease

Previous test shows very high TPO antibodies (suggesting Hashimoto’s)

It is possible to have high TPO antibodies with Graves’ disease, but they are not usually very high

It’s also possible to have both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease at same time

You need coeliac blood test too if not already on strictly gluten free diet