SUPPRESSED TSH AND SURGERY.The hospital is not happy about me having surgery with a suppressed TSH.

I am on armour and thyroxine and have had a suppressed TSH for years.My GP is fine about it.However, now I need surgery again and the hospital is not happy about doing the op if my TSH is suppressed.I have actually had 6 ops previously, with no question about it.I have just talked to the GP who said it seems crazy to send someone in to surgery feeling ill, as already I feel rough just decreasing the thyroxine a small amount.However it seems that anaesthetists have their rules.Does anyone have some documentation about this and when it became a rule. Also, surely if a person is on armour then the TSH will always be suppressed? If I come down on armour I will be really ill and in no fit state for surgery.I am only on 1 1/2 grains as it is.

[shaws Administrator]

email [e-mail] and ask for a copy of the Pulse Online article. Question 6 refers to some needing a suppressed TSH and gives the equivalent range(s). Its by Dr Toft, ex President of the British Thyroid Association.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thanks for your reply, Shaws- I will email Louise-I hope the Pulse article mentions surgery. I always quote Toft's book, regarding suppressed TSH being OK if the T3 is within range.The hospital though seems to think that having an anaesthetic poses a risk if the TSH is suppressed-otherwise they might not be so bothered. My heart was racing at the pre-op assessment because I was so nervous, which added fuel to their argument that I'm over treated.My GP knows me very well and suggested i take valium before the op(!) but they didn't seem too keen on that.it's a bit of a setback for me!

[jaxnbreeze]

I am concerned about this too janjan as I am due for surgery next month and last TSH test was 0.75. I am due for pre-op. in two weeks and I wonder what they are going to say - I live in Lincolnshire.

[Hidden in reply to jaxnbreeze]

I really think that this must be a new 'rule', because I never had a problem with suppressed TSH and ops before. Let me know how you get on-good luck!