At home blood test kits

[Michelle411A]

Hello! Has anyone used the at home test kits for checking thyroid blood levels? I was thinking of purchasing one :)
I am not going to be able to get to the doctor for a few weeks so I am hoping that the test kit will give me some peace of mind for now lol!
Thanks!
Michelle

[Barb135]

No, I did not need doctor approval to order the FT3.  It came on the lab order with the TSH and FT4 - which was signed by a doctor, so I did not have to get my own doctor to approve it.  I think most people are ordering the tests online, because their doctor refuses to order anything but TSH and "maybe" FT4.  So, you are right having to get your doctor approval would defeat the purpose; if your doctor were willing to give approval, most likely he'd be ordering the tests himself.  

My doctor does order all of those tests; I only wanted my levels tested because I felt sure they were dropping and I'm not due for blood work with my doctor until the end of July.  

Yes, Michelle, I did notice that the antibody tests DO require a doctor's approval.  Guess maybe that's a more extensive test or something?  Not sure, but again, it defeats the purpose of being able to order them online.  Or apparently there are laws concerning certain tests -- not sure why; after all, if a person is willing to pay for it, why can't they have it?  

[Michelle411A]

I saw that too, Lazymoose.. I wanted to get the antibody tests, but it said that you needed doctor approval :(  Guess I will have to wait another 3 weeks until my appt GRR!

[LazyMoose]

Barb, did you need any doctor approval to order FT3 testing from Health Check USA?

One of the other online blood testing says you need approval in some states for FT3.   ?   I mean, that kind of defeats the purpose!.....

[Barb135]

I wish you good luck with getting the tests.  I don't know about the area in which you live; I hope finding a lab used by health check usa won't be an issue.

In addition, maybe some other members will post as well and let us know whether or not they've had luck with the blood spot tests. I don't have first hand knowledge of them; only what I was told.

[Michelle411A]

Thanks so much for the info! I was debating purchasing a blood spot test kit online, but I was unsure of how accurate the results would be.. I will check out Health Check USA :)

[Barb135]

Thanks to LazyMoose, having posted the info before, I tried the health check usa because I wasn't feeling right and I'm not due for labs until the end of July -- worked like a charm and the cost was very reasonable - less than $100 for TSH, FT3 and FT4.   Even turned out that one of the labs they use is right down the road from me and it's a nationally recognized lab.

I purchased the tests online, they sent me the lab order via e-mail the same day, I made an appt with the lab for the next day, had the results electronically 2 days later.  

I don't know if it's true or not, but I've been told that some of the blood spot tests aren't necessarily very accurate.

[LazyMoose]

Could you be a little more specific on the type - like a blood spot test I assume?

There are the regular blood draw tests that you buy on the internet and go to a local participating lab - many are open Saturday mornings for covienience. Health check usa *******.