Timing of blood tests

[Otto11]

Hi just wondering if it’s worth having a Thyroid test done late afternoon please. I couldn’t get to the hospital this morning.

thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Otto11

It depends what is important. If your GP just looks at TSH and adjusts dose by that alone then an afternoon appointment means that TSH will be lower than a 9am result and may result in a reduction of your dose of Levo.

Attached graphs show levels of all three hormones at different times of the day.

[Otto11 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks. It’s so annoying as I’ve omitted Thyroxine for past 2 nights as was going to have a test for hormone levels as well as Thyroid profile but I’m currently in bed unwell with bad palpitation s & weakness & generally feel awful since I saw a GP on Wednesday. I just wasn’t well enough yesterday or this morning but hubby can take me later today. All my previous tests were at 9am. I think it’s best I postpone & will try again on Monday.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Otto11]

If you're not well then delay testing thyroid until you are over whatever it is that's currently affecting you.

[Otto11 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for your advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Otto11]

It’s so annoying as I’ve omitted Thyroxine for past 2 nights as was going to have a test for hormone levels as well as Thyroid profile but I’m currently in bed unwell with bad palpitation s & weakness

You should continue taking levothyroxine as normal. Stopping levothyroxine would have given false result …..and may have contributed to feeling very unwell

Get settled back on levothyroxine everyday. Don’t miss any doses

Wait 4-6 weeks then retest

Last dose levothyroxine should be 24 hours before test

ALWAYS test early morning, around 9am latest for highest TSH

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

This way …you

A) get last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

B) you don’t miss any doses of levothyroxine

how much levothyroxine are you currently taking

[Otto11 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for this advice. I will definitely do this for next blood test. I’m currently taking 125mcgs at night.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Otto11]

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you get B12 injections it’s important to take daily vitamin B complex too to keep all B vitamins in balance

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) 

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay 

Other options 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)

[Otto11]

Thanks. I have been taking solar B complex ones. They are also big. I do need to get my folate a bit higher it’s currently 11 I think. Better than it was though.