Tests

[katherine107]

I need to have advanced thyroid privately. Never done before. Which company and do I have to stop all meds and vitamins beforehand? Who will do test for me?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Only stop vitamin B complex 5-7 days before test

Instead take separate folate that week instead

As you have EDS, presumably you have Hashimoto’s

Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested?

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

On T3 - day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last dose 8-12 hours before test

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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Just TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 test - £32

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

10% off code here

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

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...

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

I take multi b vitamins. Vit d zinc and selenium.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to katherine107]

So stop vitamin B complex 5-7 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)

[Hedgeree]

Hi katherine107,

Medichecks has a discount offer at the moment 20% off all their blood tests.

There are other company's available as SlowDragon has pointed out in her reply.

If you do go with Medichecks use code SAVE20 at checkout or you won't get the discount.

Best wishes.

[katherine107]

If I order blood tests does it have to be done as soon as I receive it. Medichecks has 20% discount at moment. Not well at present as have covid

[TiggerMe in reply to katherine107]

I think you have 3 months with Medichecks but you could check with them on their live chat thingy 🤗

[11Ananke11 in reply to katherine107]

I believe it's 120 days to complete the test

[Hedgeree in reply to katherine107]

Don't test now wait until you're feeling better. I think someone will tell you how long possibly 4 to 6 weeks or even longer.

Getting Covid can affect your thyroid levels so your results could be skewed.

Discount codes do come around fairly regularly so I'd probably focus on getting well now.

[11Ananke11]

I've just put my first test in the post to Medichecks. They advised this.....

Advanced Thyroid Function Blood Test: Prepare for your test by following these instructions. Take your sample before 10am. Take this test when any symptoms of short-term illness have settled. Take your sample at least 24 hours after any vitamin or mineral supplements. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed. Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test. If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop.

[Bearo in reply to 11Ananke11]

‘Do not take b12 for two weeks’

I thought the wait was around 3-4 months after stopping b12 before testing?

Or is this advice for someone who takes b12 continuously as a maintenance dose, rather than someone taking one course to alleviate a deficiency?

[11Ananke11 in reply to Bearo]

It was listed as "special instructions" in the email I got from Medichecks thanking me for my purchase.