Re: Can I get a test for t3 on the NHS

[Guest guest]

Hi you will be lucky if your GP's request for a Free T3 gets accepted by the

labs. When under the care of an Endpcrinologist you should have no problem

getting a Free T3 under the NHS.

There is a website/company were u get a Free T3 for about £20 which you can get

a nurse to take the blood for you privately.

Steve

>

> Hi I just read about this - and wondered how I go about getting a test for

this,

> Carole

>

[Guest guest]

Seems the NHS are doing all they can to save money in whatever

way they can, even at the risk of stopping their patients from getting the

tests they need. Tell your GP that you want a FULL thyroid function test

because you are not satisfied with the tests you have had done so far. Tell him

that you know thyroxine is the inactive thyroid hormone that MUST convert to

the ACTIVE thyroid hormone for your body and brain to function as they should.

Tell the GP that you need to see whether the mainly inactive T4 is actually

converting to T3, so you want a full thyroid function test consisting of

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine

(fT3) and while you are at it, ask for tests to see whether you have thyroid

antibodies. These are called TPO and TgAb. Your GP cannot tell you that the NHS

do not test free T3, because they DO. Tell him that if the laboratory refuses

to do this test, he should write a letter or telephone the Head of the Path.

Lab and tell him that he particularly requests this test as there might be a

problem as to whether you are actually converting or not. Don't take NO for an

answer Carole. We have to nag and nag our doctors to look after us, and this is

appalling, but if this is what it takes, then nag away until you get what you

want.

Some patients can't get well on levothyroxine alone - and they

need T3 and not T4.

Luv - Sheila

Hi I just read about this - and wondered how I

go about getting a test for this,

Carole

[Guest guest]

If my experience is anything to go by then the path lab will question it, no

matter what is written on the blood form! I set up an appointment with my GP

first to talk over the hormones I wanted to be tested for (I have

hypopituitarism so there's a bit of a list, T3 aside...) so I could get a full

picture of what's going on. You might want to specify reverse T3 also?

Of course, the lab then rang him to question it and he told them they had to go

ahead. My local lab only allows tests a minimum of 6 weeks apart, so I am

currently stuck feeling a bit fat and rubbish for the next 2 weeks till my next

'test window'.

[Guest guest]

You

can get your free T3 tested at Lab21 for £17. http://www.lab21.com/ClinicLab/Services/HealthcareProfessionals/CLINICALBIOCHEMISTRY/Thyroid.aspx

.. They will send you a list of private hospitals where you can get your blood

drawn if your surgery is unwilling to do this.

Luv

- Sheila

Hi you will be lucky if your GP's request for a

Free T3 gets accepted by the labs. When under the care of an Endpcrinologist

you should have no problem getting a Free T3 under the NHS.

There is a website/company were u get a Free T3 for about £20 which you can get

a nurse to take the blood for you privately.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Even though I had to go via Lab21 I did get my blood taken at my GP's surgery.

There was not problem with this and no charge. You just have to make sure the

blood is taken early in the week so that it is not hanging around in the lab

over the weekend. I would certainly ask your GP's receptionist first and even

if they were to make a charge it would not be as much as a private hospital!

Margaret

--- > There is a website/company were u get a Free T3 for about £20 which you

can get a nurse to take the blood for you privately.

>

> Steve

>

>

> >

> > Hi I just read about this - and wondered how I go about getting a test for

this,

> > Carole

> >

>