private testing

[Warrior75]

afternoon all

Could somebody point me in the right direction to get my own bloods and saliva testing done please?

I’ve had hypothyroidism for the last 7 years but I’m on my knees with symptoms again mainly anxiety, heart palpitations and fatigue and the obvious weight gain.

Dr has said I’m peri menopausal (47 this month) put me on hrt and for a while I felt ok but now I feel worse

I’ve had other health issues the past 12 months and the dr cannot get to the bottom of it and it’s a case of living with it but I’m now so anxious I don’t want to leave the house

I need this to end

Thank you sorry for the moan

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Taking HRT frequently results in needing dose increase in levothyroxine

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine or starting HRT or other significant changes

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once a year

Request GP test

Or test privately

all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 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

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Come back with new post once you get results

Meanwhile have you got any recent tests from GP?

[Warrior75 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank youI do a split dose at the moment I’m 3 days 125mcg and the rest at 100mcg Levothyroxine

I only take Wokhardt as I cannot tolerate the others my dr surgery only do afternoon blood appointments now I use to go to my local hospital as soon as they opened the doors but now no walk ins.

I’ve just started my vit D again now the suns gone in that’s 3000 iu at dinner time

Folic Acid as I can’t hold on to that

Vitamin B12 as methyl cobalamin & Adenosylcobalamin sublingual

I am wondering if I’m low on iron again and this is why I’m feeling as rubbish as I do.

I could go on and on but we all know the struggle with our GP’s and thyroid usually I stand my ground but I really don’t have any fight left in me my anxiety is though the roof , it was bad enough before covid but even worse now as long as my numbers are below 10 then according to them I’m all good

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Warrior75]

That’s ludicrous

On levothyroxine TSH should ALWAYS Be below 2

Most people when adequately treated will have TSH around or under 1

Just don’t take vitamins the morning of the test

Day before test take whole dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test …..do test so that last dose is 100mcg (rather than 125mcg)

Come back with new post once you get results

Rather than just taking folic acid and separate B12…..you may be better taking a daily vitamin B complex (and if B12 is low separate B12 too)

But see what results show first

[Warrior75 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I will come back with my results.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Warrior75]

I just noticed you're taking Folic Acid supplements. You would likely do better on an active form of the vitamin, one that the body doesn't have to process to actually use. There are people that cannot use Folic Acid in this form and taking it can make you worse. You need to look for supplements with Methylfolate or says it is the active form.

SlowDragon recommends a B complex, the one people say is good here is Thorne Basic B.

[Warrior75 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I get given this on prescription I didn’t even know it came in any other way.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Warrior75]

No most people wouldn't be aware. The NHS just give out what's cheapest, doesn't mean to say it's good stuff though.

Make the switch to an active form of folic acid - methylfolate and I'm sure that just that alone will improve things for you. Just make sure the dose is the same. being low in folate can make you anxious on top of being hypo.

[Warrior75 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I will thank you