Re: Got copy of my blood tests results.......

[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth - I had the same - but with a TSH of 2.5 I did get treatment with a decent endocrinologist. I did ask a pathology manager I knew about T3 and he said they usually only do it if there is a thought that the patient might be hyperthyroid! I dont think its to do with costs, I think its that the hospitals have only offered T3 to consultants thinking GPs didnt understand it and no one has questioned them! In most places free T3 is a consultant only request.

My answer after being told I was depressed and my thyroid was normal by the GP was to get my fT3 and fT4 done by NpTech (£33 at the time including TSH) I used these to insist on a referral to an endocrinologist who agreed with me and started me on thyroxine!

Gill

Hello everyone, managed to get a copy of my blood test results from doctors today after a lot of phone calls and phaffing about lol. Doctor did TSH test only in october which was 2.8,

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[Guest guest]

Hi Ruth

This is the difficult situation hypothyroid sufferers are in right now. At one time, all patients were given a full thyroid function test and tested for antibodies but now, no matter how insistent a doctor is, if the TSH is returned within the so called 'normal' reference interval, the laboratories refuse to test for Free T4 or Free T3. It seems this could be another case of post code lottery. I live in North Yorkshire and I get the full TFT every time I have my blood tested.

You can get the test done privately at NPTech Services. Go to our FILES from the Home Page of this website and scroll down until you see NPTech Services. There you will see the tests they do and the prices they charge.

Try sending a letter to your GP listing all your signs, symptoms, basal temperature for 5 days, family history if there is thyroid disease or autoimmune problems there. Ask him to test to see if you have antibodies to your thyroid - if you have, these could be destroying your thyroid tissue. Ask him to also test your ferritin (stored iron) because if this is very low, you get all the symptoms of hypothyroidism - and it can also cause hypothyroidism. Ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. By writing, this letter has to be put into your medical records and if your doctor fails to look after you properly and it is later found you become ill because of this, his lack of action might be called into question. It is also a good idea to write to your doctor if you have such problems.

Luv - Sheila

Hello everyone, managed to get a copy of my blood test results from doctors today after a lot of phone calls and phaffing about lol. Doctor did TSH test only in october which was 2.8, I requested that he'd do a full thyroid check as have hypothyroid symptoms, he agreed, probably just to shut me up. He requestd TSH, T3 and T4, which I checked when they took the blood. I rang up for results, said they were normal. Only after getting a copy of blood tests results today as I wanted to check figures for myself, the lab just repeated another TSH and didn't do T3 and T4! The result was 2.4 I can't bloody believe that the doctor didn't think to check, he probably just glanced at it and read 'normal, no action'. I've now got to see him AGAIN and as him very nicely what has happened. Is it common that a Dr will request full thyroid tests and labs only do the TSH? I suppose this might have something to do with costs? Is it worth me bothering with getting the other tests or do you guys think that the TSH results are deffo not hypo? Thanks, Ruth.

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