daughter and blood test for anaemia

[Lottyplum]

Our daughter, who is 40, has had gut issues since 14 yrs old as NHS didn’t detect helicabactor pylori for more than 2 years (thought she was too young to have it) and eventually gave her huge doses of antibiotics and other junk which affected her gut big time. Eventually got an appt with Dr Sarah Myhill +helped greatly. Up to date, she went to donate blood but they wouldn’t take it as she is a anaemic! She has heavy periods+has a rough time during that time of the month. She cannot get a GP appt! They are a waste of space! She works full time+is so tired at the end of the working day+is often in bed by 9.30 at the latest. We live 50 miles away and so told her she needs a private blood test. So, my question is, I know about the private blood tests as I use MMH but has anyone used Superdrug blood services? There is a Superdrug clinic that will draw the blood+test just ten minutes away her home in the car. I think she would be more agreeable to someone else drawing her blood than trying to do it herself. Thank you for your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I would recommend test that includes thyroid antibodies

Also if anaemic test full iron panel

Medichecks offer both these

You can pay extra for private blood draw

For full Thyroid evaluation she 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

H Pylori increases risk of developing Hashimoto’s

drhedberg.com/hashimotos-th....

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

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 that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and 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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

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...

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

Full iron panel test for anaemia

medichecks.com/products/iro...

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. Didn’t know about h.pylori+Hashimotos, which I have.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lottyplum]

And as you have Hashimoto’s it’s genetically much more likely your daughter might also develop it

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I realise that, plus she has bad sinus hayfever all year round+psoriasis - autoimmune? I have for some time suggested private blood test for thyroid as her GP surgery don't give a hoot. Think we will start with anaemia blood test+get that drawn near where she lives+then get the thyroid test done. Onwards+upwards!! Thanks so much. I could cry when I read such horrendous stories in here of the battles with GPs+endos. Our daughters battle hasn't started yet, but mamma bear's claws are out!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lottyplum]

Psoriasis is autoimmune

I would start with full thyroid test

Then if ferritin is low/deficient get her GP to do full iron panel test for anaemia

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

Daughter has to fill online form for possible GP appt+it's triaged. They're more likely to tell her to go to pharmacist!! She had a poor experience with surgery couple of months ago, they wouldn't give her an appt even tho all her face+eyes were badly swollen. Pharmacist, thankfully, directed her to walk-in centre where she received 7 days antibiotics + told she must return if swelling, esp her eyes, did not go down! I think it's down to us to get her blood tests done privately. Why then is she paying for NHS! Grrrrr!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lottyplum]

Moon face = hypo

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

No, she had been bitten above her eye by something like a horsefly +she reacted. Her slender face + body back in place.