How do they test for thyroid problems?
I’ve been having a lot of nasty symptoms for the past few months, and thyroid problems run in my family.
The problem is that I’m deathly afraid of getting blood taken from my arm. It’s like a phobia. I’ve avoid going to the doctor because of it.
Can they test for it some other way?
Basal temps are relatively accurate for some people but not others. The more reliable diagnostics require a blood draw. Bite the bullet.
Its very simple just a blood test.
basal temperature, soon as u wake in the morning soon as u open your eyes check temperature under arm for basal or in your mouth if you have consistantly low like 96 97 95.5 u are low thyroid.
A blood draw is the most accurate. Relax, we all have to get blood tests sooner or later. Try thinking of something soothing and look away when they do it. It only takes a second! Try to listen to some music or something to take your mind off of it.
Not to be horrible to you, but..put it this way..would you rather the thyroid problem gets so bad you need to go to have it out? Many Grave’s disease patients have to have theirs out, I have had mine operated on twice (mine was a pre-cancer) and I am sick to death of now having a blood test every 6 weeks…BUT I know it is important for me to know my levels.
YOU might have the levels checked once, and then have medication and then be fine for a long time. You really need to weigh up the fear against the reality. What I do is take a photo of my B/F and look at him and remember his silliness. I never used to hate needles, I used to watch!
Please be brave and get the blood test, you will feel better in the end!