Why three vials of blood?

[Questionbloodsvial]

Had bloods taken to check for thyroid issues. She said she will check thyroid and do a haemoglobin check also for iron.
She then took three vials of blood. I just wondered if she’s looking for a third thing or if that’s a normal amount to take for 2 tests? I should have asked, but didn’t.
Thanks

Our surgery tends to test for all sorts of things all at once and I think the last time I went, they took 4 or 5 lots. No idea what each one was for. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

Iron is a third thing.

Is haemoglobin not the iron one? ThTs the way she worded it.
I was just trying to figure out if she will have done the full thyroid screening or just one type. ( realised afterwards that there is a variety of thyroid tests) and was hoping she has maybe done them all in one go, rather than me having to get results and go back for more!

Multiple tubes for different departments/tests.

Haemoglobin would have gone to Haematology and multiple tests would have come to Clinical Biochem. Likely standard Thyroid panel (T4/T3/TSH) in a gold top and probably PTH in a purple top!

Iron is a different test to haemoglobin, processed by a different lab, with a different preservative in the vial.

Would have been 2 bottles where I work, but different labs have different set ups

Tests go in different bottles. Some bottles can do multiple tests, some bottles only do one test. So it could have been more than 3 tests!

Haemoglobin is a different test to iron.

One test does not equal one vial.

You can get multiple things out of one bottle (eg a full blood count) as well as one thing from one bottle (eg clotting, or a glucose for example).

Thank you for your replies. I didn’t pay attention to the vial colours unfortunately. I wasn’t sure how many tests could be done per vial, just assumed no more than two, as there was only two things she said she’d check.maybe I misunderstood haemoglobin. What would that be looking for?
Thanks again

It's also just possible that they may have sent off tests for some of the antibodies that can be involved in triggering thyroid issues.

I remember years back when I had some (thankfully transient) thyroid issues. I agreed to having extra blood taken for a research project. Didn't think to ask how much beforehand - I think it was about 10 tubes!!

@Pythonesque

It's also just possible that they may have sent off tests for some of the antibodies that can be involved in triggering thyroid issues.

I remember years back when I had some (thankfully transient) thyroid issues. I agreed to having extra blood taken for a research project. Didn't think to ask how much beforehand - I think it was about 10 tubes!!

That's how I was diagnosed. I ended up in immunology instead of dermatology long story and they seemed interested in my blood disorder so they took more bloods. Found antibodies and turns out I had hashimotos Lucky my appointment was at the wrong place really!

@Pythonesque

It's also just possible that they may have sent off tests for some of the antibodies that can be involved in triggering thyroid issues.

I remember years back when I had some (thankfully transient) thyroid issues. I agreed to having extra blood taken for a research project. Didn't think to ask how much beforehand - I think it was about 10 tubes!!

That’s really interesting, thanks. I have all the symptoms of thyroid issues and a swelling on one side that I can see and feel. The doctor however, sort of ummed and ahhd and said there may be a “mild difference in sides” and didnt sound very concerned.

Reading on here I have seen lots of people have symptoms, but bloods coming back perfect. The replies seemed to suggest that the doc may need to check for “x,y,z” as the initial thyroid test doesn’t always show any problems.
So I was hoping maybe she’s done the full works really, so I know for sure that it’s not going to be a “missed” issue: I guess I’ll find out!