Blood testing problems

[AnnH19]

Does any one know why the labs only test for TSH and don't test for T3 and T4 now. (NHS GP request)

They always did up to last year.

My GP requested 3 times for T3/4 testing with no joy

The surgery spoke to the lab who said if the TSH is within normal parameters they don't test.

Is this just unique to Fylde, my area?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Increasingly the problem

Thousands of U.K. patients now forced to test privately

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Or get these tested privately at same time as thyroid

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

ALWAYS test 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)

If on 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

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...

Just TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 test - £32

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

Randox FULL thyroid test including both thyroid antibodies just £31

Test at home or in clinic

Also available via Amazon

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

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

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In days 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

[AnnH19 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Its disheartening to learn that not routinely testing for T4 and T3 when having thyroid tests is widespread and we are expected to have them performed privately, especially as there are so many people with thyroid issues. Its another nail in the NHS coffin in my opinion.

Thankyou so much for all the information links you have sent, I'll have a good study.

This site is great, I wish Id found it earlier.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AnnH19]

Examples of private test results

Medichecks

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Blue Horizon

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Monitor My Health

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[AnnH19 in reply to SlowDragon]

Cheers Slow Dragon,

I do appreciate your assistance.

[Jazzw]

They call it “saving money” and being “cost effective”. The fact that not doing it impacts on our health doesn’t seem to be something anyone takes into consideration.

[greygoose in reply to Jazzw]

And by affecting our health it also puts further strain on the NHS because we never get well and are continually consulting doctors and developing other health issues. It's also bad for the economy. But, seems those in charge are too dim to see further than the ends of their noses!

[AnnH19 in reply to Jazzw]

A cynic may think that we are being ushered towards private medicine!

[Hedgeree]

Hi AnnH19,

I'm lucky as my surgery has always tested my TSH and FT4. Unfortunately they've never acted on the results historically even when my FT4 was bottom of the range. I only discovered this after seeing my results online through 'Patient Access'

Even when my FT4 was below range I was told it was 'my normal' 🤔

I have asked to have FT3 tested on many occasions but have repeatedly been told that the surgery will not request FT3 test so I have no idea if the lab will do it.

[AnnH19 in reply to Hedgeree]

I wonder why there is the reluctance to test T3 levels? Is it because its off prescription for the NHS?

Sorry to hear that your surgery doesn't appear to tell you your true lab results, this may improve now that most of us have access to our medical tests now.