Hypothyroidism

[serina09]

Hi I've had hypothyroidism since I was born and my dosage right now is 200. I haven't had my meds in 3 days and my doc won't see me till next week. My question is, what are the side affects for not taking meds for a week? Should I just go in to e.r?

[Apples]

Hi, I believe you can miss a week's doses without ill effect because your body retains some of the dose for a while. In the morning someone with a wider knowledge will probably be along, my knowledge is only from my own experience.

I am baffled as to why you have to visit your Dr to get a prescription ... have you had to do that every month? In which case am impressed that in a lifetime of taking tablets this is the first time you have missed any!

[serina09 in reply to Apples]

Oh ok. That's a relief then. no I only see the doc when I run out of refills so it's like every 3-6 months and I get my blood tested. Yea I been pretty on top of it but I just had my baby 3 months ago so my mind has been a little hay wire. Lol. Thank you for the reply.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to serina09]

A week without could be serious. It is somewhat different for someone on partial replacement - such as 75 micrograms a day.

[gabkad in reply to serina09]

Go to the pharmacy and ask them to give you some tablets. Explain the situation. They have an obligation to help out under these sorts of circumstances. They'll just keep the balance for you when you give them the prescription.

[janetEB77 in reply to gabkad]

WHY DO YOU NOT HAVE A REAPEAT PRESCRIPTION THERE IS A SYSTEM IN POSITION AT SOME PHARMACIES TO HAVE REPEATS FOR SIX MONTHS WITHOUT SEEING A GP ASK AT YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY INCLUDING MULTIPLES IF THEY OFFER THIS SERVICE I SEEM TO HAVE HAD HYPOTHYROIDISM SINCE BIRTH (DIAGNOSED AT AGE 27 AND ON THE ONE OCCASSION I HOLIDAY) I DID NOT TAKE ANY TABLETS FOR 5 DAYS MY NEXT TEST GAVE A TSH OF 51

[Clutter]

Serina09, Ask whether the pharmacist who usually fills your prescription will let you have some on account until you can get a scrip from your doctor. Missing a week means half of the thyroxine will have washed out and you'll start feeling hypo which won't be fun with a young baby to look after.

[shaws Administrator]

Go to your regular chemist who I would think may phone your GP for a prescription. If there's no luck there phone your surgery for an emergency prescription and collect it today..

Do you not do an electronic prescription which means the chemist would order it each time and all you do is collect levo.

[Knotty]

Are you in the UK?

I'd go to my doctor's surgery and ask for a repeat prescription. They should be able to get a prescription for you within 24 hours (depending on the time you get to the surgery and surgery times). Surely they could provide for a week's supply even If the doctor wants to see blood test results before prescribing more. If your own doctor is on holiday, there should be another doctor there who could deal with this.

[eeng]

Many pharmacies in the UK offer a repeat prescription service where they will request the prescription for you and email you to tell you when it is ready to collect. I know how easy it is with a baby to forget which day of the week it is, let alone what you are supposed to be doing. I had 3 children under 4 years old for a while. You do eventually get back to normal!

[SilverAvocado]

I've experienced stopping medicine several times to have RAI treatments and scans. You will slowly become more hypothyroid, and start getting those symptoms, most notably fatigue. For me headaches and nausea would also be the first things to come.

Maybe not dangerous, but pretty unpleasant. Especially if you need your energy to be with your baby, and aren't going to get much clear rest.

[faith63]

Eventually, it will catch up to you..you may feel hypo in 3 weeks, even if you start taking it and miss a week.