Thyroid testing

[seastardust]

Hi again 🙃

Just after a bit of advice re thyroid testing.. I have chronic thyroiditis which is being monitored. It has been left to me to arrange a blood test with the surgery every 6 months, today I went for my first one that I had arranged myself, previously the gp or consultant had done it. So when I arrived the nurse asked what I was there for, told her I wasn’t entirely sure but I assume a full thyroid check… once I was finished I noticed that she had only put down for TSH. Is that all they have to test for in terms of monitoring the thyroid? I was going to ring the surgery up tomorrow but then I don’t really know what I’m asking for 😂 or if I even need to?

Sorry I’ve rambled now but any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Unfortunately TSH is often all the NHS goes on and frequently this is driven by the labs making decisions as to what they will test or not. Of course this is completely inadequate.

This is why most members here are forced to pay for their own private blood tests to find out what is really happening with their thyroid health. I'd recommend you buy yourself a full private test to include TSH, FT4 & FT3, also ferritin, folate, B12 & D3.

See link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsly elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

[seastardust in reply to Jaydee1507]

I have done a test with medicheck in the past, and the gp also tested for antibodies about a year ago which was positive. I’m not currently medicated but I have a benign nodule on my thyroid which I think is the only reason they decided to start the 6 monthly monitoring. If all they routinely do is the TSH then that is fine I will look into a home test again if I feel I need to.

Thank you for taking the time to respond 😊.