The test saga continues!

[Princesspea]

Ok so today I finally ordered my vitamin d finger prick test!

Tomorrow I intend to order B12, folate and ferritin, adrenal saliva test and TSH/T3/T4. My question is - is a blood TSH/T3/T4 better or a urine one? Or does it not make a lot of difference?

Thanks in advance

Gail

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I suggest you make sure that any B12 test you order is an Active B12 test.

You will not get any standard endo (or, I suspect, GP) to take a urine thyroid hormone test seriously.

Rod

[Princesspea in reply to helvella]

Rod,

Many thanks,

Is the standard B12 test completely hopeless?

I was erring towards blood so that has made my decision, thank you. However I think I could have my thyroid dissected and served to my GP on a plate and still not be taken seriously so these are for the info of myself and Dr S to guide what my next move will be - i.e T3/T4, NDT etc

Gail

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Princesspea]

The standard B12 test can show adequate B12 when what is present is not actually usable. Seems that.mostly, if the level is nice and high there is unlikely to be a problem - except when that is due to taking B12 supplements. But in the lower half, it could show you are well in range - when you are actually low.

[Princesspea in reply to helvella]

Rod

I dont think you will remember but I posted about 6-7 months ago when I was first diagnosed with low B12 and my initial readings were 109 and 113. I have been supplementing with 5000ui sublingual daily and my 3 monthly injections. This is purely to see what my level is now? I dont know if that makes a difference?

Gail

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Princesspea]

Have realised that trying to remember everyone is impossible!

I remember *you* but not all your story.

I would 100% go for Active B12. I think that Blue Horizon now do this.

Active B12 testing seems to be totally replacing standard serum B12 testing. Other companies might also do it.

Also, make sure that you inform the lab that you are supplementing.

Rod

[Princesspea in reply to helvella]

Fantastic, thank you for your advice once again Rod.

Gail