Supermarket TSH tests

[SimLuc]

I bought a rapid TSH test from a well known Supermarket but the test is based on American standards. If your test is lower than 5 it records a negative result. However, the level in the UK is 4.2. I've wasted my money and I think I people should be aware of what I did not find out until after I had purchased the test.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Welcome to the group.

They are very basic kits indeed. Unless you're above the reference range they relaly are of no use. The vit D one has a normal range of around 30-100 so could still be less than optimal if it says you are OK.

Do you have a thyroid condition? Are you looking for a diagnosis. The private tests used by people in this group are listed here along with discount codes. Monitor my Health is the cheapest at £32 for a finger prick test that tests TSH, FT4 and FT3.

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

[SimLuc in reply to GlowCoach]

I have abnormal thyroid antibodies and have had abnormal TSH tests. My mum had Hashimoto's Thyroiditus, my grandson has hypothyroidism and my daughter has a thyroid problem too. It was only by chance that I discovered I had thyroid antibodies, when a Pharmacist tested me in 2022 for antibodiez, after having told my GP mum had Hashimoto's several times going back to 2016. I am very worried because they will not give me anything regardless of my many hypothyroidism symptoms.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to SimLuc]

To get a diagnosis you need to have either 2 TSH tests above range consecutively or a TSH above 10. Recommend testing at 9am or as close to then as possible as this is when TSH is highest, also fast that day before test.

Perhaps as GP to monitor you every 3-4 months or use the link above to find private tests. NHS won't accept private test results and will want to retest.

Many Hashi people find a gluten free diet helps, some others need to eliminate dairy. Worth trying.

[helvella in reply to GlowCoach]

Time of day is also important.

Difference between, say, 08:00 and 14:00 could be enough to make the difference between being diagnosed and not.

(The variation within a day is, like so much else, individual. Some have much larger variation than others.)

[helvella]

There is no UK level for TSH.

Each and every lab has its own reference interval (range) and some have a top at 4.2 - but not all.

The problem with the test is that knowing your TSH is 5.01 or higher, as against 4.99 or lower, doesn't really provide much illumination.

Anyone who has a higher TSH should get a "proper" TSH test. (Preferably the FT4 and FTY3 as well.) But even between about 2.5 and 5.0 is a grey area which is likely to indicate an issue. If getting a negative result on this test means you don't look further, it has done a disservice.

There was a thread about these tests the other day.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Just adding, and this test does absolutely NOTHING for anyone who is heading towards, or even severely, hyperthyroid. Again, it might appear to provide false reassurance that the person's TSH is fine so they do not have a thyroid problem.

[SimLuc in reply to helvella]

Please can you read my reply to Jaydee 1507. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH tells you nothing anyway

Have you had any tests via GP

Trying to get diagnosed or monitor as already on levothyroxine?

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

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once 

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...

Just Thyroid includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£49

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

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 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

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

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...