Can Prednisone affect Thyroid tests?

[KarenHal]

For years I suspected my thyroid was underactive. My mother developed this after having children My Dr. said thyroid test is normal and I was surprised because I have so many symptoms of low thyroid. I recently learned they are trained to use "cascade testing" for thyroid. This means they only test for the pituitary released thyroid stimulating hormone- TSH. If it is normal, they don't test for T3, T4 or antibodies for each. No wonder I was told my thyroid is normal. I was diagnosed a few months ago with PMR- so severe I wanted to die. I suffered for a year while my Dr sent me to physical therapy and wrecked my stomach with Nsaids that didn't help. She treated me like I was scamming her for pain medication. I finally saw a Dr that recognized immediately what I had. Started 10mg prednisone and was almost done tapering off when the Primary Dr prescribed Clindamycin for a dental problem. I got Cdiff- never even heard of it, wasn't warned that I might get it or that I should take probiotics. It was severe because I thought it was a side effect from prednisone and suffered a month. PMR returned. Now I'm trying to taper off Vancomycin and prednisone. I am so depressed and hopeless. Can't think straight, brain fog is awful. I want to go have the complete thyroid testing but don't know if prednisone will make the tests show normal results when they are not. I read that when your thyroid isn't working correctly, the adrenal gland can kick in to help. I'm wondering if that may have been the trigger of my PMR. Does anyone know if taking prednisone (currently 6 mg) will affect the thyroid tests?

[Rose54]

Hi

No it shouldn't do

Always have thyroid blood test done first thing in morning before taking meds.

Plus its not GPs who refuse to do full Thyroid panel its the Labs

You can always pay to have full panel done several sites do a postal service

[Hidden]

It isn't effected my thyroid test so far but like you say they tend to look at partial picture. I try to remember not to take thyroxine pre test but always forget. Have you had a look at thyroid forum...I found it helpful when I thought my thyroid was iffy again. You should definitely do the broader test if you feel it's not functioning...hopefully Via GP.