Should I get a private test?

[oozlumbird]

I had Graves’ disease about 15 years ago and it took so long to diagnose that my TSH was 0.02 when I finally got a blood test. I’m feeling pretty similar to that now and finding it hard to manage, but have to wait four weeks for my NHS blood test and then for the results and then for the appointment, etc, etc.

Should I a) raid the credit card for a private endocrinologist appointment, b) get private blood tests or c) try A&E, even though I feel it’s not a medical emergency?

I feel that the blood test should have been treated with a bit more urgency (I did get a GP appointment within two days, which suggests at least the GP gets it).

Is this an urgent situation, or is the wait normal and acceptable?

[Kerry124]

if you can afford it I would do a private blood test I use Medichecks but there are cheaper labs available which give members discounts. I am sure someone will be along to recommend a lab shortly

If you feel very hyper I would not wait 4 weeks just in case it gets worse which can happen with Graves’ disease

[humanbean in reply to Kerry124]

I use Medichecks but there are cheaper labs available which give members discounts.

If Medichecks is not having a sale they still offer a 10% discount which is described here :

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

When Medichecks is having a sale they send emails to people who have created an account with them, giving details of discount codes and what is on sale. Discounts during sales would usually be somewhere around 20% but they do vary.

Discount codes from any company cannot be combined - or at least never have been in my experience.

[Kerry124 in reply to humanbean]

I have an account with them but they never email me any discounts. I might ask them about it

[humanbean in reply to Kerry124]

The last one I received from them with info on discounts was on 21st February.

Blue Horizon Medicals is another company I get emails from. The last one I got from them with a discount code was on 4th March.

[pennyannie]

Hello Oozlumbird and welcome to the forum :

Graves is an Auto Immune Disease that can wax and wane throughout one's life :

What treatment were you given 15 odd years ago -

Do you have there and care to share your TSH + Free T3 + Free T4 results and ranges when diagnosed 15 years ago

What antibodies were found positive and over range in your blood test that decided your diagnosis was Graves Disease ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

is your GP appointment this week?

If yes wait and get bloods tested via GP

Test early morning ideally

TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

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