blood test.

[alderney]

I need to have my blood tested for T3. I often see special offers on certain days of the week to have various tests done can someone advise me on how I arrange for this to be done as I am a complete novice, I have only ever had it done under the nhs. Hoping someone can help. Regards Alderney

[RedApple Administrator]

alderney, there are three ways of getting your own blood test done:

1. Finger prick self test in the comfort of your own home, which you then post to the testing lab (this is usually the cheapest option and many members do this).

2. Pay for a phlebotomist to come to your home and draw blood from your arm. (Availability depends on your location)

3. Travel to a private testing clinic to get the test done. (Availability depends on your location)

If you say which option you think would work best for you, members can guide you through the available choices.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Both Blue Horizon and Medichecks currently have offers on

Are you currently still taking T3 alongside levothyroxine?

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

is your hypothyroidism autoimmune

Have you had both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Obviously you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

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)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

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...

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

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

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) 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...

Randox FULL thyroid test including both thyroid antibodies just £29

Test at home or in clinic

randoxhealth.com/en-GB/at-h...

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70:

[RedApple Administrator in reply to SlowDragon]

Current Randox offer: USE CODE RESET2025 TO SAVE 20% ON ALL IN-CLINIC AND AT-HOME TESTS – OFFER VALID UNTIL 8TH JANUARY randoxhealth.com/en-GB/

[Pandora777 in reply to RedApple]

Do you recommend them?

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Pandora777]

I have used their fingerprick tests several times, and have never had any problems.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Pandora777]

I will say though that they can be a bit slow to despatch the kits, especially when they have an offer on.

[Pandora777 in reply to RedApple]

Ok I will look at them. Unfortunately I am not any good at a finger prick test. I have quite deep veins and even the nurse has trouble getting blood out of me

[Jax49]

I often buy tests when I see they are on offer even if I don’t need them immediately as most don’t have to be used for about 2-3 months.

[TaraJR]

Monitor My Health is very reasonable. Also with 10% discount with code THYROIDUK10

It's run by an NHS lab in Exeter hospital, so some people find MMH results are then more readily accepted by NHS GPs/endos.