T3 test

[fiftyone]

could someone tell me where I could get a T3 test near to Kendal, Cumbria, UK. With thanks. Just a straightforward telephone number, email, address.

[Hedgeree]

Hi fiftyone,

Are you able to do finger prick tests or is it a venous blood draw you want?

[fiftyone in reply to Hedgeree]

not sure. Would prefer to go somewhere where it can be done,but if nowhere near, then finger prick test,I suppose. I don't know the difference in outcome between the two. The easiest and quickest way to test my T3 level.

[fiftyone in reply to fiftyone]

would prefer it done by a medical expert so the result will be taken more seriously

[humanbean in reply to fiftyone]

It isn't who took the blood that will affect a doctor's reaction to your results. It will be the lab that did the test that affects the reaction.

The NHS often refuses to take private test results seriously.

With luck, if private results suggest you need treatment, or more treatment than you currently get, the doctor should try to repeat the tests via the NHS.

[Hedgeree]

It would be best to wait till after the holiday period. Is this for yourself or your daughter?

[fiftyone in reply to Hedgeree]

All I want to know is contact details. Thank you.

[radd in reply to fiftyone]

fiftyone,

There's a whole list here (some with discounts) .... thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

And other pointers here .. .. thyroiduk.org/testing/

These are companies commonly used by the forum members. You will have to have TSH and FT4 tested alongside FT3 levels.

[Hedgeree in reply to radd]

Thanks radd 😊

[fiftyone in reply to radd]

thank you very much for this information

[SlowDragon Administrator]

absolutely no point just testing Ft3

As minimum you need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

But if not tested vitamin levels recently these should be tested too

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you 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

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 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

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

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/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

See detailed reply by SeasideSusie

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...

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/testing/priva...

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you for all information.TSHand F4 already tested. T4 below range. TSH risen but still 1. something. However. cholesterol has spiked, from around 5 to around 10.Surgery won't test T3

[fiftyone in reply to fiftyone]

hypothyroidism is hereditary.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

This enquiry is on behalf of my daughter who is not taking levothyroxine. She will only request what can be done on the NHS.She is going to ask for a T3 test.

As I said no point testing FT3 on its own

She needs vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies tested as well

If you have autoimmune thyroid disease she’s at high risk of having it too

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

I have no idea what sortof thyroid problem I have. I asked once, the doctor didn't know. I believe my hypothyroidism was found, some 40 years ago, by basic tests, not by all the other tests you suggest, vitamins etc.

[fiftyone in reply to fiftyone]

is there some official medical guideline I can refer a doctor to, so they know, officially, what steps to take. Does NICE produce a guideline?

[fiftyone in reply to fiftyone]

as I mentioned earlier, I am enquiring on behalf of my daughter.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

most likely your hypothyroidism is autoimmune as autoimmune diseases run in families as strong genetic connections

For full Thyroid evaluation she needs 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

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

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

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

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid includes antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you. which place is nearest to Cumbria? I don't understand antibodies at all.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

Your daughter should politely request /insist on GP testing thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels

But if GP won’t help

Medichecks list of clinics

Lancaster possibly closest

Depends where you are exactly

medichecks.com/pages/clinic...

Majority of people do DIY finger prick test at home

Kit is sent to her house

She does the test, early on a Monday or Tuesday morning (9am latest)

Then posts it back and she gets results in 2-3 days

[fiftyone in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you for that more relevant information which I have passed on.

[Bertwills]

I use Medichecks for a more detailed test than the finger prick test which needs a venous blood drawer. I have many times used their system that sends a nurse to your home to take the blood but I’ve also paid £10 at two different GP practices for the blood to be taken. It’s worth asking at your GPs if they have this service for private blood tests.

[fiftyone in reply to Bertwills]

thank you for this very useful information. So much better getting specifics which apply to my problem than reams and reams of 'spam' which is impossible to wade through.