Can You Pay For Private Blood Tests for Underactive Thyroid?

Mojisola

Mands wrote: »

Your thyroid gland produces T4; your body converts that into T3 for you to use. Your body checks whether it thinks you have enough T4 in your system and if not it sends out a 'quick, make more!' message by releasing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). If it senses that there's too much T4 it reduces the TSH to tell the thyroid to slow down a bit.

So: what you would want to look at is if the T4 is normal and what the TSH level is. The further from normal [usually 0.35 to 3.5] that is then the louder the body is shouting that something's not quite right.

If your body isn't converting T4 into T3, then the blood test can be in the normal range because you have plenty of T4 but you can still have symptoms.

Also, if you've been hypo for some time before being treated, your adrenal glands may not be functioning properly. Read up on that as well.

Mands

Mojisola wrote: »

If your body isn't converting T4 into T3, then the blood test can be in the normal range because you have plenty of T4 but you can still have symptoms.

True, but for people trying to understand the basics there's a risk of making things very complex. FreeT3 vs Reverse Free T3 anyone?

As I understand it UK GPs don't regularly check T3 levels anyway.

Mands

Mojisola

Mands wrote: »

As I understand it UK GPs don't regularly check T3 levels anyway.

That's one reason why a lot of hypothyroid people go undiagnosed.

oopsadaisydoddle

Mine seems to be right down in the 'nowhere near abnormal' range - is it still worth getting these T3 and T4's looked into?

Mojisola

oopsadaisydoddle wrote: »

Mine seems to be right down in the 'nowhere near abnormal' range - is it still worth getting these T3 and T4's looked into?

You won't know until you get the results.

If you are still getting symptoms, you need to talk to the doctor about what's wrong. If he/she goes with the catch-all diagnosis of ME, research that and see if you can find anything that helps.

There's the ME Association website and loads of forums to browse through.

oopsadaisydoddle

Mojisola wrote: »

You won't know until you get the results.

If you are still getting symptoms, you need to talk to the doctor about what's wrong. If he/she goes with the catch-all diagnosis of ME, research that and see if you can find anything that helps.

There's the ME Association website and loads of forums to browse through.

I suppose I have nothing to lose (apart from the cost) but at least if it comes back 'normal', I can rule it out.

Mojisola

oopsadaisydoddle wrote: »

I suppose I have nothing to lose (apart from the cost) but at least if it comes back 'normal', I can rule it out.

That's the big problem with seeing private doctors.

oopsadaisydoddle

Mojisola wrote: »

That's the big problem with seeing private doctors.

I know!! And it's so frustrating that I have private health cover through work but it is sometimes limited as to what the offer - e.g. They won't deal with anything once diagnosed and when you ask about anything, they need a referral from GP (fair enough).

What i feel uncomfortable about is going to GP and saying "I know you diagnosed CFS last week, but I've been 'talking' to people who have underactive thyroid even though their bloods are normal, so actually, I think you might be wrong" and "please can you send me for some 'proper' tests"!!!

Can you imagine telling a GP you think they might be overlooking something?! Mine would get a right strop on!

Mojisola

oopsadaisydoddle wrote: »

Can you imagine telling a GP you think they might be overlooking something?! Mine would get a right strop on!

Quite a common reaction, I think.

BobQ

oopsadaisydoddle wrote: »

Hi all,

I have recently been diagnosed with CFS/ME. This is after many years of suffering and lots of tests.

Over the years I have had numerous blood tests that have always come back negative for thyroid problems. I was speaking to an old friend and they were saying that they had been diagnosed with thyroid problems (underactive) but that it wasn't picked up on normal tests. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this?

I was diagnosed with PCOS over 12 yrs ago and i know underactive thyroid can often go hand in hand with that.

I'm not trying to usurp the docs diagnosis of CFS/ME but thought it might be worth checking out.

Thanks in advance.x

ETA - idea where the word 'usurp' came from!! Meant dismiss!!

I would be surprised if your GP had not done a blood test on you thyroid level before concluding youb had CFS/ME. Since the causes of CFS/ME are largely unknown, ruling out all the other possible causes of tiredness such as thyroid activity is a routine procedure. Also the tests do work!

Also do you have any of the other symptoms of an underactive thyroid such as itchy skin.