I checked my medical record online yesterday and I've been summoned by letter for annual NHS thyroid check (yay) but they've also requested electrolytes and GFR blood tests.
I dont have kidney problems and had GFR done last year which was fine so am wondering is this something they now include for thyroid patients or whether to query it?
I’m being dumb, but what’s a GFR test ?
eGFR - estimated Creatinine Clearance
Formal Name
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate
These seem to be standard tests done on an annual basis as routine. I had mine done in July and it included an eGFR test. I dont have kidney issues.
Thanks for replying. I 've never had it done annually before so was rather bemused.
For myself they tested thyroid, Urea & electrolytes, cholesterol, liver function & HbA1c. I'm sure the same will be repeated next year. 
Yes, I’ve not heard of NHS required annual testing. Is there a specific list of tests they require ?
I find the NHS very odd about testing, they seem to randomly pluck tests out of the air to inflict on patients whilst they are captive in the phlebotomy chair yet trying to get them to do tests they really should, like vitamin D or FT3 they dont see as important or relevant.
I've had to point out to my surgery several times that they are wasting my time and theirs by repeating tests that come back as normal several weeks later. I've also had to really push for tests to be repeated that came back as abnormal but which werent followed through.
I agree… 5 years ago a temporary GP did a FBC on me ( crazy reduction of Levo resulted but it was useful afterwards to see how many areas of potential concern were ignored!) Yet last year when I was ‘summoned’, and asked for Vit D and B vits checks, they only tested T4 and TSH…no logic, no continuity, and only worsening issues for patient and wasted resources IMHO…
I think that’s progress……
perhaps they have finally realised low GFR linked to low Ft3
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
The GFR is reversibly reduced (by about 40%) in more than 55% of adults with hypothyroidism[40] due to several reasons.
Thank you SO much for this info. I had a Stage 2 CKD label on me 5 years back, with no mention or advice. So there’s the context. It’s puzzling that the resources are used to test, yet a simple phone call to explain outcomes doesn’t result.
Vast majority of GP’s probably have little idea that being hypothyroid is linked poor kidney function or that it will kidney function will recover as levothyroxine dose is increased and thyroid levels improve
My NHS GP yesterday said she likes to test kidneys when doing thyroid bloods. She didn’t say why. Shame it’s only TSH and kidneys!
That’s a positive result 👏
At my annual appraisal they include HA1c in spite of evidence showing it is not a reliable test for prediabetes in patients with hypothyroidism or taking Levothyroxine thyroid.org/patient-thyroid...
As you say they miss doing ones like Vit D or B12 which are more likely to be of use to us.
Thanks for posting that link. I took it to mean that being untreated hypothyroid raises HbA1c but when treated it drops down again - but that’s just the test levels - in reality the blood sugar doesn’t really change? I didn’t quite get it. I want to understand it as I’m in the pre diabetic range.
As you are interested in this I will post some references I have kept on the subject. If you have questions after reading them I suggest you post under a new heading
Although the study commented on people with untreated hypothyroidism but healthy blood glucose levels it explains that distortion arises because of the effect of hypothyroidism and levo on the turnover of red blood cells. The HBA1c tests the amount of glycogen attached to old blood cells. The basis of the test doesn't work with hypothyroidism or treated hypothyroidism and so it not accurate full stop.. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/264...
wellnessresources.com/news/...
I've never had an annual request for any testing. Is this thyroid or age dependent? I don't even get reviewed for the medication I've been on regularly for many years; maybe it's done without my knowledge?
Only been on levo for a year though 🤷🏼♂️
I last had NHS testing for thyroid in June 2022. I think you are supposed to have an annual blood test if you're on Levo via your GP.
Thanks. I'll have to mention that to my surgery.
Unless you feel unwell or want a dose reduction I'd keep schtum lol. I dread their interference. I was hoping they'd forgotten about me.
I'm going to drag my heels and put it off as long as possible 😂
Ah yes true. I was declared euthroid by my GP last week with FT4 12.3 (range 12-22) so not easily expecting to get an increase in my levo dose 🤔
Hallelujah you are healed 🤗
Ha ha 🤣🤸🏻♂️Yes I did roll my eyes when he said it. Luckily it was a phone consultation 😊
I've learnt far more since being on the forum than I ever did from doctors, frankly I think most of us can manage our thyroid condition much more successfully with the right supplements, home testing, dose tweaking and lifestyle changes.
Without GP's clutching their pearls at low TSH and immediately reducing our dose. I often wish I wasn't beholden to the NHS for Levo.
Yes I believe so too. Even though I'm fairly new to all things thyroid I'm learning a lot from the reading of the posts on the forum. It does appear for many here that they can manage their thyroid issues well without any GP interference.
I've now been invited for a face to face consultation 😐so wish me luck!
Totally agree. If this forum weren’t available, I seriously doubt I’d still be here. Because of an irrational and very sudden reduction of my Levo back in 2018, I was in real trouble.
You'll probably be flagged up and hauled in for one in the not too distant future. I'm actually due to test mine via MMH next week so at least I'll be prepared for the inevitable tussle with GP about low TSH. And I'll know about the important FT4 and 3.
Oddly, I've not been called for an annual anything for a couple of years now. I do my own testing and have a private NDT prescription but local surgery seems happy to ignore me. At least it avoids the annual fight over very slightly raised cholesterol ha ha
I suspect sudden attention to annual review may be linked to NHS target revival, practice refocus, or maybe a new member of GP admin staff being given a job to run through patient lists. I am keeping my head down…I know from working in A and E forty years ago that doctors do sometimes attach ‘typology’ labels to patients ( I think that’s common knowledge!). As I’ve refused statins and beta blockers ‘offered’ by hospital in the past, I think I’m an AOB! 😂
The look on their faces when you won't consider them 😂 I suspect a sudden interest in getting a set of tests now I've requested my exemption card renewal
My GP surgery seems always to add Liver Function Tests because they associate thyroid disorders with liver issues.
We have seen a lot of members with kidney and/or liver tests that indicate something going wrong. In general, it's possibly a good thing to have these tested rather than not. So long as they are not used as a proxy to change thyroid doses.
I have never been called for an appointment and I have had Hashi's for 17 years. I have had bloods for other things when I have seen a GP for something, and occasionally they stick in a thyroid test and a kidney test. My creatinine levels are way above the range, but a specialist told me to start worrying when it hits 200! The range goes to around 80.
I am pretty sure the GP just glance at the results to see if any are flagged up. They dont look for near the bottom or top of the range.
No, they don’t look to see if anything is flagged - or if they do they quickly disregard it. My red blood markers are always above and below range but they have never commented, repeated a test or been concerned in the slightest. When I queried an under range marker I was told , “ oh, but you’re a woman! That’s actually quite good for a woman”
Gold Star⭐awarded to your GP for inviting you for annual Thyroid check. Shows you are on their radar!!
I never hear a peep out of mine. 🤣
Hope your test goes ok. 👍
I'd rather be off their radar and away from their interference 😒
Oh I see!!!! Like that is it. My surgery is complete opposite.
Hope all goes well.
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