Blood test help please

[Charliebing]

Hello

I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid in October 2022; and Hashimotos in January 2023. I am due another blood test in March - my dr has agreed to test the following:

TSH

T3

T4

TPO

folate

Ferritin

B12

Vitamin D

Is there anything else I should ask to be tested? The dr who arranged my test seems quite open to me asking for what I want to be tested. Thanks for any advice

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group.

I think you have all the right tests there. You might find that the lab refuses to test FT3, this is the same throughout the country and many people here pay for private bloods to see that result and get the results they need to adjust their thyroid levels to optimal.

Do you always get the same brand Levo? Many people find brands are not interchangable.

As you have Hashi's, have you tried a gluten and dairy free diet?

[Charliebing in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi thank you for your reply. T3 is on my list so if they don’t end up testing for it I will get a private test done. I cannot remember the brand of Levo I’m on (I’m not at home to check) but I have been given the same brand since I’ve been on it.

I haven’t tried a gluten or dairy free diet. Is this what I need to do? My dr was reluctant to say I have hashi’s so didn’t give me any advice about it (my result was 270 with the range being 0-9 - sorry for lack of units, the results are at home).

Thank you

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Charliebing]

Up to 80% of Hashi people are gluten intolerant, a smaller percentage dairy too so its well worth eliminating them to see if it helps you feel better.

Doctors have limited training in thyroid conditions so that is where patient groups come in withday to day tips on how to manage your condition.

[Charliebing in reply to Jaydee1507]

thank you, I will definitely try a gluten free diet

[shaws Administrator]

I would request a Free T4 and Free T3 test. This is some information that may be helpful plus your others.

A free T4 test directly measures the amount of free T4 in your blood. Medical experts believe this test provides more accurate information than a total T4 test, so it's used more often. A total T4 test measures free and bound T4 together. A calculation may be done to figure out how much T4 is free.7 Jun 2022

Thyroxine (T4) Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test

and

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A free T4 test directly measures the amount of free T4 in your blood. Medical experts believe this test provides more accurate information than a total T4 test, so it's used more often. A total T4 test measures free and bound T4 together. A calculation may be done to figure out how much T4 is free.7 Jun 2022

google.com/search?client=fi... test

[Charliebing in reply to shaws]

thank you, I will add these to my list. If they won’t do these, do you think it’s worthwhile to get these done privately? Thanks

[shaws Administrator in reply to Charliebing]

Yes, I think it is worthwhile

[Charliebing in reply to shaws]

Thank you, I’ll get a price test if the gp won’t test for it