How do we get a T3 test requested?

[Wagamama]

morning,

just been reading through a load of things on here as I’m not sure my figures are where they should be at the moment. I’m getting a load of problems lately especially to do with my feet, muscle aches, dry skin, anxiety, brain fog (and also what I think is pulsatile tinnitus that’s driving me mad!) and although I’m 44 and people suggest it’s all probably peri menopause I do wonder if it’s the hashis playing up…? How can you tell?

I’m going to request another thyroid test and will ask for the nutrient ones too but I’ve never had the T3 done! I’ve had Hashis since 2011 when I was 31. And in all the history of tests I’ve had, I’ve never got the t3 result. Anyone know why this is if the figure is so important?

How do I get this tested?

my last TFT was done in November 23 and they were:

Serum TSH level 2.27 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]

Serum free T4 level 17.5 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

they also did these ones

Serum iron level 30.7 umol/L [5.83 - 34.5]

Serum transferrin level 2.44 g/L [2.0 - 3.6]

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate 2 mm/h [1.0 - 19.0]

Haemoglobin A1c level 5.2 % [4.0 - 5.9]

Anti-tissue transglutaminase level 0.3 U/mL [0.0 - 6.9]

Serum alkaline phosphatase level 44 u/L [30.0 - 130.0]

Serum total protein level 69 g/L [60.0 - 80.0]

Serum albumin level 47 g/L [35.0 - 50.0]

Serum globulin level 22 g/L [17.0 - 35.0]

Serum alanine aminotransferase level 13 u/L [0.0 - 33.0]

Serum total bilirubin level 14 umol/L [0.0 - 20.0]

Serum urea level 4.0 mmol/L [2.5 - 7.8]

Serum sodium level 139 mmol/L [133.0 - 146.0]

Serum potassium level 4.1 mmol/L [3.5 - 5.3]

Serum creatinine level 85 umol/L [45.0 - 84.0]; Above high reference limit

Serum alkaline phosphatase level 44 u/L [30.0 - 130.0]

Serum total protein level 69 g/L [60.0 - 80.0]

Serum albumin level 47 g/L [35.0 - 50.0]

Serum globulin level 22 g/L [17.0 - 35.0]

Serum alanine aminotransferase level 13 u/L [0.0 - 33.0]

Serum total bilirubin level 14 umol/L [0.0 - 20.0]

[greygoose]

It's only important to patients. Doctors don't know what it is. Seriously. I've had several doctors ask me what it is when I've requested an FT3 test. They then go on to say oh, never heard of that, wouldn't know how to interpret the test. One doctor said to me, 'oh, T3, that's something to do with hyperthyroidism, isn't it?' They just aren't taught about T3 in med school. And if you do get them to test it - can happen - they just ignore it! lol

So, most people do private testing if they want their FT3 tested, I'm afraid.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Some areas of the NHS just won;t do an FT3 test and its not the GP who decides this but the lab. You can request it but its likely it may not get done.

Best way is to buy a private test. See link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

There’s no folate, B12, vitamin D or ferritin test results either

what vitamin supplements are you taking

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on gluten and/or dairy free diet

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)

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

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG 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

[Wagamama in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m not actually taking any supplements at the moment…, 🙈 I know I should. I’ve ordered some folic acid and b12 and some iron… but not started it yet.

I did used to take it ages ago but got lazy… but now symptoms are showing up and I think it’s more likely hashis symptoms over my age..,

I did get a private test done once but I struggled to find someone to take the sample…

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wagamama]

Medichecks and Blue Horizon have lots of private clinic options….or some larger Superdrug stores

Or (higher cost) a nurse to your home

[asiatic]

As GG says most GPs don’t include it because they don’t understand its significance. However, myself and 4 friends managed by keeping our request simple and to the point. Here is roughly what we said :-

I have been on Levo many years. I still have symptoms ( list a few eg. Tinnitus, raised Creatinine) which according to Thyroid UK MAY be related to low thyroid levels. My FT4 is about half way in range but as I have never had my FT3 measured I thought it would be useful to include it in my next thyroid panel to eliminate the possibility I am not converting well. At the moment we just don’t know.

We kept the request for vitamin testing on hold for later if we found FT3 was low

[Wagamama in reply to asiatic]

Thankyou! I’ll use that for my next gp appointment… 😍😃

[crimple]

Wagamama, I used to have pulsatile tinnitus until I added some T3 to my T4 meds. Hope you get sorted.

[Wagamama in reply to crimple]

oh really?? That’s interesting! Was it bad before? And now nothing?

I’m not even sure it is that but I have these weird sensations in my ear… I’ve had a scan on it and the ENT consultant couldn’t find anything…. it’s worst when I’m tired. Constant pulsing and feeling in my ear. Drives me crazy…

[crimple]

Wagamama I used to get the tinnitus in my right ear, I heard every heart beat, Drove me crazy. I only get it rarely now for a few seconds on an odd occasion. It never ceases to amaze me how many weird things are a nuisance until you get enough T3, the one things most docs know nothing about!

[Wagamama in reply to crimple]

How did you get T3 prescribed?

[crimple]

Wagamama, thanks to being educated by the wonderful people on this site I was able to educate myself about my hypothyroid, Hashi state.I also have a scientific brain so a lot of what I read made total sense. Then I was able to obtain some T3 from Greece and began very, very slowly over a year to add T3, upto15cmg to my NHS levo dose.

As Brexit loomed I fessed up to my GP and was sent off to the local Endo who happened to be willing to prescribe T3. At the time it was very expensive due to manufacturers taking advantage of NHS, so I was given a private scrip which I then sent to Germany and cost me £30per month. Finally I got an NHS scrip. I regularly do my own private blood tests and T4 and T3 are always in range.

My GP's accept that my TSH is firmly stuck at 0.005 and I have told them I accept responsibility if I should develop heart problems or osteoporosis! The occasional locum who does a review tries to persuade me otherwise but its much easier to stand my ground over the phone. I told them I prefer a life to an existence! I dread at some point having to fight all over again when the current crop of decent GP's retire.