another question regarding time for blood tests.

[ChemicalAngel]

I have ordered a blood test kit, to check T4, TSH, FT4, FT3, THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES, THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES.. It is a do-it-yourself test with lancets and a collecting tube. am not squeamish in the slightest so can do this no problems

I get up at 6.30AM on a Thursday for work, so was going to do the test before I set off and get it into the collection at 7.30am.

What would be the optimum time to collect the sample??

Ann xx

[helvella Administrator]

From my view of the world, that would be fine. I doubt the anti-body tests would vary very much - anyone know differently?

Have a look at Figure 1 here:

jcem.endojournals.org/conte...

Rod

[ChemicalAngel in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod, thats great

Ann xx

[Ianpeel]

I think that any time between 6 and 6.30 would be fine.Make sure you really dig the lancet in as you prob need about 20 drops to fill the tube.Try not to be a wuss like I was,lol.

Ian

[ChemicalAngel in reply to Ianpeel]

Hi Ian, Getting enough in the tube is not going to be a problem for me. I watch them do blood tests lol I watched while my finger was stitched up as a teenager - without anaesthetic!! I am no wuss

Ann xxx

[Jackie]

Hi Also important to send it Monday to Thursday , because of the terrible post. If it is in the post too long the blood will deteriate.

Jackie

[ChemicalAngel in reply to Jackie]

Hi Jackie, I thought of this, and have decided to get up early Tuesday and do the test

Ann xxx

[tramadolknight]

hi, I am new to this site, having skipped over from the firomyalgia site as also having hypothyroid. Could you please give me any info on how you get your own tests carried out ?

thanks

mw

[helvella Administrator in reply to tramadolknight]

Have a look at the main Thyroid UK web site:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

I suspect that this thread is referring to the home blood tests arm of Blue Horizon.

Rod

[ChemicalAngel in reply to helvella]

This is the second test I have got from Blue Horizon. The first was a full draw, and I went to my surgery to get the nurse to do the test, and she said they do 3 draws a morning of people buying their own tests and that it wasnt a problem.

Due to some surgeries refusing to allow private tests to be taken on their premises, Blue Horizon has changed how the samples are collected, so allowing them to be done without the need for the nurse. I do not live near enough to go to a Geneva clinic, and cannot afford the cost of a private phlebotomist to come and do a house visit on top of the cost of the tests, or it would be another month before I can get it done, and frankly, I have had enough time wasted.

Ann xx

[Jackie in reply to ChemicalAngel]

Hello Ann, I am impressed with your surgery, mine certainly would not do it. You can still use the syringe method with B. H, I do every 6 weeks. Finger method brilliant but I have sticky blood have a terrible job just getting enough blood out for my 5/6 daily home tests.Do you know that BH have their Harley Street doctor ( they are really Lab TDL ) look at the results first and if anything very "off" they advise you. They did me.

Jackie

[tulula59 in reply to tramadolknight]

There are a range of tests both home test kits and full blood draws that can be purchased.

Genova and Blus Horizon seem to be the most popular. Some tests can be done via Genova with a discount if you quote the code given on Thyroid UK (as a member I believe) See their website.

Personally went for the full blood draw from Genova as doing my own wouldn't come easy unless it was pin-prick stuff and I wanted everything done in 1 go inc rt3 and both antibodies.

If you need a full blood draw you need a qualified phlebotanist (wrong spelling) or a local hosp/GP surgery that will do it.

Noone nearby would do this for me (all very peculiar about doing private tests although I have heard of some managing to get it drawn at a cost via their GP's surgery).

If you know someone who is qualified then this can be arranged privately but they will have to sign the form as the person who drew the blood so only use someone who does this for a living obviously/is fully qualified etc.