blood tests tomorrow

[dalzell]

hi

This is my first post and I’m almost clueless

I had a full spine MRI. The report says I have small bilateral cysts on my thyroid. This is all it says. The MRI was for spine problems.

I went to my doctor about this who has arranged a blood test tomorrow at 1145. Do I need to be fasting.

Also should the doctor investigate the cysts.

I feel I have thyroid symptoms eg cold, tired, sore etc. d do oct or said cysts are benign but he couldn’t know this.

many thanks

[Forestgarden]

I suspect your GP will just run the basic blood test, which is TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), if this is out of the 'normal range', the lab may also run free T4 and possibly free T3. These are the numbers you really need. Ask your GP for a printout of your results and post them here for comments. They may also run antibody tests to see if this is autoimmune. There are other bloods they may do so it wouldn't hurt to fast tonight and until your bloods are done. Don't take any vitamin supplements either, biotin can interfere with blood tests. I'm sure the excellent knowledgeable members here will be along soon to comment further.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once for autoimmune thyroid disease

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What GP is likely to test is just TSH

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

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

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

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

[MrPump]

cysts are fluid filled sacks I was told . I have had a few. (Not on the thyroid ) So I believe benign ! However any mass in the wrong place can be a problem. Some masses ( I include cysts can be a pain in the ass !

The questions I woukd ask are:

1- should it be removed now ?

The answer may be no ! But the medic shoukd say why ‘ perhaps it’s not believed it will grow further or cause further problems and the risk of complications due to surgery is too great ‘

2 - if the answer to q1 is no ? What happens next ?

The response may be ?

‘ Well we will monitor them for x years (scans mri’s etc) ! If they start to grow or others appear we will re evaluate the options at that time’

Please note that I had a benign tumour growing adjacent to the pituitary gland. The tumour was believed to be benign, based on the image scan, but the doc said the only way to be sure is to look at the tumour under a microscope!

The tumour had to be removed as it was pressing on my optic nerve going to my left eye and I was going blind but more worryingly it was also only 1mm away from my carotid artery . I had no choice the tumour had to be removed.

The surgery was very risky ! This was explained but even though it was benign it was getting bigger slowly over 15 to 30 years at 1-2 mm per year: so the artery was in significant danger . This artery fed the brain !!

I used my case just to explain the kind of things the medics will be thinking .