Just had a blood test…

[JoJoloveschocolate]

the nurse took just one blood sample/vial. I was booked to have thyroid, vitamins and sex hormones tested…does anyone know if all those tests are usually done from the same sample?

[JoJoloveschocolate]

I just had an uneasy feeling…

[helvella Administrator]

Such things can vary by lab.

I suggest you try to find the Pathology Handbook (or whatever they call it) for your lab. Then look up the things you expect to be tested. They usually explain the vials needed referring to them by colour of top (yellow, purple, etc.).

Sometimes, you might see Colour 1 OR Colour 2.

Anyway, look for what you think you should be getting and see if they can be done from the same sample.

Of course, you shouldn't be put into the position of having to work this out!

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to helvella]

I found the guide …it says sample type “SST” for thyroid and vitamins but just “serum” for oestrogen…is this what you mean?

[helvella Administrator in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

This is a randomly located test for oestrodiol:

Oestradiol

Synonyms: E2

cddft.nhs.uk/media/545594/o...

It shows the tube top colour.

Screenshot of test details for oestrodiol

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to helvella]

Thanks. Actually, the tube the nurse used had a yellow top. Maybe it is all from one sample.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to helvella]

Thank you for finding this for me, Helvella x

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to helvella]

Ahhhh…apparently sst is “serum separating tube” so maybe one sample will do a job lot!

[helvella Administrator in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

Fingers crossed.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to helvella]

Thanks, Helvella. 😀

[Hay2016]

yes they are all done on SST in our lab. Another lab I know uses a red for oestrogen but I’m sure the phlebotomist would have a guide. Most of the systems tell them how many too so don’t panic. Look on nhs app tonight or tomorrow and results may be there already.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Hay2016]

Thank you! It’s not NHS though. I booked a private endo appt and blood test package for new patients and their lab sent a nurse…

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Hay2016]

It’s all new to me so I might just be in a panic because I’ve never done all this before.

[Hay2016 in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

It’s all a learning curve. ❤️

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Hay2016]

It is! Thank you and thanks so much for the info - I really appreciate it.

[JoJoloveschocolate]

I don’t know what’s wrong with me! Everything is sending me into a panic these days.

[HealthStarDust in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

What’s your current dose and latest levels? And, how long have you been on your current dose.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to HealthStarDust]

I’m still on 87.5mcg (since april 2024). My last test showed I was under-medicated but my tsh was low at 0.8 and because I was due for my nhs test i didn’t increase to 100mcg as i thought it would drop the tsh too low and spook the gp into reducing my dose. I should get my new test results early next week and then i’ve booked to see a thyroid gp in oct because a few people have said i’m not a good converter and might benefit from a little bit of t3.

[HealthStarDust in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

The dose could be too high or too low. It’s had quite enough time to settle so you should know soon based on your plan.

Personally, when on levothyroxine only I don’t think I’ll ever go on a dose that takes my TSH under range. Some people do seem to do better on higher TSH which is know is contrary to this forum which often has posts about TSH being irrelevant when on levothyroxine.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to HealthStarDust]

I’m probably wrong, but I kind of instinctively feel that I might have exhausted all the benefits of t4 now. Some things are better - tinnitus, ibs, cramps, ear pain, but the energy/ crashing fatigue/muscle pain issues have not really changed from when i was on 75mcg. It’s making me wonder whether i would be better now with a reduction in t4 and the addition of t3 instead of continually ramping up t4 and suppressing tsh even more that will then in turn affect conversion even more. A few people have said now that I might need t3. I’ll see what the thyroid gp says when all the results are in with vits and cortisol too.

[healthkiwi in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

Any kind of hormone imbalance affects mood, can make you have panics, or have general anxiety, or tearful at everything, or crotchetty, or raging, or depressed.....just think of wonky hormones as the gift that keeps on giving 🥴😵🤯😬🙃

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to healthkiwi]

Gawd… I feel likeall of those emoji faces 😂😩😭😁🤬

[Louis2305]

Hi they all come from the same tube. Im a phlebotomist

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Louis2305]

Excellent! Thank you so much for your reply x

[bikebabe]

your moniker makes me smile. In my early 40s I was advised by my GP that I had Gilbert’s syndrome - higher bilirubin. She said it was nothing to worry about as it was a completely harmless condition and just meant I liked Chocolate more than other folk. I now know that whilst it is ‘harmless’ it does affect how effectively the body breaks down some medicines and how it converts t4 to t3 and oestrogen etc. I’m not suggesting you have Gilbert’s but it is easily measured in standard liver function tests.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to bikebabe]

Oh that’s interesting! Thank you. I’ll have a look at my last nhs blood tests to see what tests were done. I think they did the liver but not sure, Thanks for sharing the info X

[CoeliacMum1]

Probably is all I can say.

I have at least 12 different blood tests (panels) tested annually and only 3 vials are used.

Regarding hormones tested depending on your age of course have you looked at Balance menopause website or checked Dr Louise Newson pages, that explains our hormones even younger in some cases under 45, can fluctuate so much even in the same day so not very accurate to diagnose but use as guide in some cases.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to CoeliacMum1]

Ooh…I’ll have a look at that website. Thanks so much for the advice x