Which blood tests to take?

[JonnyA]

I’m due to see my doctor again in a couple of weeks, and whilst I’m due to do a full thyroid panel, I’m conscious that various advice on here has also advised to test a broader range of things. Off the top of my head, that should include:

Ferritin

Folate

Vitamin D

Vitamin B12

I’m currently ting selenium and zinc supplements too; should I also be testing for this? Anything else I should consider requesting.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine or T3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.

important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

On day before blood test, split T3 into 3 smaller doses, at roughly equal 8 hour intervals, taking last 1/3rd of daily dose approx 8-12 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk