Could someone please tell me why the Thyroid pl... - Thyroid UK
Could someone please tell me why the Thyroid played a part in this womens death?
She had an overactive thyroid gland and most likely had dangerous levels of t3 in her system. She should have had that brought down to a normal range before being given a general anaesthetic - she probably went into a thyroid storm.
I agree with this.... they didn't know enough about the patients history, also think they have to look at the anaesthetic they use in any operations with thyroid patients.
I saw it on the news last night I live in Cornwall and was wondering whether she was given an adrenalin anaesthetic. I know from experience and my dentist also acknowledges it, that anyone with a thyroid problem needs an adrenalin free anaesthetic.
I was given an anaesthetic years ago with having a tooth extraction, with adrenalin and it made me quite ill. I also know of people that have been hospitalised because they've been given this type of anaesthetic.
Because of this I've added it to my card details today that I carry around with me - If I have an accident make sure you don't give me an anaesthetic with adrenalin in it!!!!
I will post the name of the anaesthetic that I have, if anyone is interested.
That's my thoughts on this article and my husbands too.
Does "anyone with a thyroid problem" include hypothyroid patients, too?
Yes I was hypo when Citanest (adrenaline free local anaethetic) was given to me by my well informed dentist.
Thanks. I was undiagnosed hyper when I had root canal work done. No questions asked, glad to have survived 
Now hypo, I'll be the one asking questions next time...
I would like the details pleas,also is the card a special one or one you have done yourself?ty.
So is it completely adrenalin free? Or low adrenalin?
For my second knee operation I don't know what type of product was used but I ended up shaking and shivering and they were planning on giving medication for that until one nurse gave me toffee. So whatever was used caused me low blood sugar I guess. That nurse told me to let that toffee slowly melt in my mouth. It worked.
I also had headache for two weeks and could not stand up. They were thinking about dialysis but eventually it just disappeared.
But I was thinking that was modern anesthesia which is low on adrenalin. Years before my second op I had same knee operation and back then I had no issues. I know that 1992 it was old type drug high on adrenalin. Tho I was not ill otherwise back then.
Have had that issue at dentist too. They told me it is low adrenalin I can stand , it causes shaking. They said they used old drugs which caused no issues but I wonder if they used drug with no adrenalin. I am a bit confused.
Citanest is adrenalin free. Check it out on google thats what my dentist always uses on me.
Citanest is unique. It is adrenaline free and the only local anaesthetic that uses Felypressin as a vasoconstrictor to maintain anaesthetic in the desired area. Citanest is compatible with patient medications where plain and adrenaline containing solutions are not, and avoids the cardiovascular effects of adrenaline. It is also available in self aspirating cartridges.
Citanest contains prilocaine, which is 40% less toxic than lidocaine yet still provides the depth and duration demanded by routine dental procedures [1] Handbook of Local Anaesthetic, Stanley F. Malamed (5th edition).
This gave me a bit of a scare as I am due to have knee surgery anythime soon. I am on Levo 25 mg daily; anything higher makes me ill. I self medicate with T3 25mg daily. My Gp knows, but I am never sure he realises the implications. Dental treatment has held up the surgery and even the dentist didn't know the link between dental health and joint surgery so one ends up feeling that you are on your own. If they did blood tests before this woman's surgery why was her condition not recognised and how many know about a special, non adrenaline anaesthetic?
Sorry to write so much. I am 75 and very anxious.
Can't see the story but they don't always do blood tests before surgery.
Tell the anaesthetist as soon as you are introduced to them your thryroid problem. (There will be a nurse or someone else there.) Unfortunately for them they often find themselves treating people without things in the notes.
Please don't be anxious about your operation but make sure your anaesthetist knows your history. Ask about Citanest the adrenalin free anaesthetic.
My dentist keeps this on my record at the practice. And if ever there's a stand in dentist I always make sure they know as well. Autoimmune diseases do effect teeth and gums, I suffered 11 years ago with this but when on correct dosage of thyroxine teeth and gum health slowly inproved.
The anaesthetist will look it up to check.
I tend to find the best people who pay attention to medicines you are on whether they are prescribed or not are anaesthetists, dentists, opticians and other allied health professionals. Then again I've had a really nasty GP.
It's a scary story but remember it's the unusual things that end up in the news.
Hundreds of people with thyroid problems have anaesthetics safely every year.
I have been overactive and am now underactive on 125mg levothyroxine daily. I had a general anaesthetic last October, the Surgeon, Aneathetists and Nurses couldn't have looked after me better or have been more careful, as someone else has already mentioned they can use a different anaesthetic for thyroid patients. There are a few options for them to choose form, I am also allergic to peanuts and penicillin. The Anaesthetist took all of this into account.
I talked it over with a Nurse at my pre med 2 weeks before. Had my Thyroid levels checked a week before. I talked it over with the Surgeon and 2 different anaethetists that were looking after me on the day of surgery. Even as I was going down for surgery they double checked my medical notes and allergies.
I am on a waiting list for a hysterectomy now and honestly I am not worried. There are some horror stories out there and we don't hear enough of the good stories. I'm more worried about what I will be able to eat stuck in hospital for 2 days, I am a vegetarian, allergic to peanuts, msg, sesame and bananas, I'm sure that will be a challenge for them!
Best of luck linus41
Xx
Do you know that is why I am pleased that here in France we carry a credit card size medical card - doctors and pharmacists just put it on their little machines and hey presto - up comes info, I must ask the pharmacist if I can have a look at exactly what they see next time I use it there! Or I could phone CPAM and ask them, at least we have an English speaking helpline! 
There is a system here in the UK called myIHR (interactive health record) it's a PIN number you can have engraved on your medical id jewellery and contains info on all of your medical needs, medication list, next of kin etc. Of course not everyone has medical id jewellery and it can be very expensive.
I have a bracelet for my main concern which is anaphylaxis due to allergies. I carry epi pens everywhere and there is a card in my wallet listing my medications and conditions. So hopefully someone would realise I had thyroid problems if I had an accident and needed a general anaesthetic without my family being aware. I don't spend time worrying about it though, In an unplanned life threatening situation, I would just hope for the best. If I do accidentally ingest peanuts I could have to use my epi pen full of adrenaline which might affect my thyroid but it would be an emergency.
In a planned surgery or situation I have always found medical professionals very helpful.
Great idea to have IHR pin number engraved on a piece of jewellery that you always wear. Thanks I'll look into it. Yes no good worrying about stuff, just got to get on with life!
Thank you so much for that encouraging reply. I always feel a bit uncomfortable that I am self-medicating with T3. Most doctors disapprove and they tend not to believe that Levo has such dire effects. Perhaps that is why I am so anxious about the whole thing. But thank you for your encouragement.
It's natural to be anxious about any surgery even without the added thyroid issue. I was a bit anxious before mine but now I have experienced it I won't be worried at all next time. It's fear of the unknown sometimes I think.
Even if the Dr's do disapprove of you taking T3, it's your body, your choice. The main thing is they know about it so they can give you the correct anaesthetic and look after you accordingly.
When you have your pre med you will have a chance to address any of your concerns. I went in with a list of questions, some really silly but I didn't want to forget anything.
On the day I even went as far as asking the anaethetist exactly what he would do and how all of his equipment worked!
Please don't worry, the NHS gets a bad reputation sometimes but we are lucky enough to have it and some amazing Dr's.
It's tricky because not only in the news but also on these forums we tend to hear the worst.
I am sure it will all go well for you, just make sure the people carrying out your surgery are well informed about your health.
And take some good books and few of your favourite snacks, hospital stays can be so boring!
Xx
I hope you don't think I'm knocking the NHS BettyH. - It's just that there are different ideas and methods in different countries and I don't think my French Doc has any better attitude about Thyroid testing/medication than many others in NHS, I read about on here. My suggestion about informing her doctor was only so he 'knew' - not to ask permission. I just thought I'd explain why I'd said what I did.
Thats why we need so much more research into thyroid conditions that would be accepted globally. Too many Countries prepared to put their armed forces together for War under the NATO umbrella ......
What a shame the various countries health systems don't do the same with a Health and symptoms of, research Umbrella ! We could call it the United Health Nations! Not in my lifetime I fear!
I also still want to know what the hospital did aboutmedicating me with my Thyroxine when I was in a coma for several days! No one ever mentioned that to me and I didn't think to ask at the time!
Dear SAMBS, no I didn't think you were knocking the NHS at all. It's good to hear what goes on in other places and different areas of the U.K.
There is definitely a different level of care and understanding of thyroid issues even just Dr to Dr never mind different areas. I myself have been under a fantastic endocrinologist and also had to diagnose my own thyroid issues to the GP to get the treatment I need. Thyroid can definitely be one of the least understood medical problems.
I only wrote on this post as I spotted someone worrying and I thought I would share my recent experience to try and help.
It's nice to be able to go on these forums and find others with a similar experience, as I mentioned before though you often find the negative stories and sometimes people need to hear the positive which can be harder to find.
You are right it would be fantastic if different Countries could share their experience and expertise with health conditions.
I'm lucky enough to have endometriosis which is also very undertreated and often goes undiagnosed along with my thyroid problems! I'm a bit Pollyanna and like to look on the bright side of everything. I know not all Dr's are amazing and not all experiences great but when they are I like to share!
I wonder if they did give you thyroxine when you were in a coma, I hope so
The local anaesthetic is called "Citanest" it's adrenalin free and you can find details on the internet if you google it. My comments above we not meant to alarm anyone but was the first thing I thought of when I heard the news, this lady probably had other complications as well. But wasn't helped by doctors not knowing her history.
Unfortunately not all doctors and dentists are well informed about what we have. Even my Endocrinologist says there are over 100 autoimmune diseases and they effect people very differently.
I had an underactive thyroid for 11 years but due to the stress of moving house and a seriously ill husband it sent my thyroid haywire I now have Graves disease/overactive with thyroid eye disease.
I just put "don't use adrenalin aesthetic - use Citanest "on a card which has emergency numbers on, it's carried in my purse with my NHS exemption card.
So if going for any operation make sure the doctors /dentists know your history.
THYROTOXICOSIS : The disorder resulting from excessive production of thyroid hormones, so that all cellular metabolic processes are accelerated. Thyrotoxicosis is much commoner in women than in men. The majority of cases are of AUTOIMMUNE origin. There is loss of weight, good appetite, a fast, irregular pulse, anxiety, inability to relax, shakiness, palpitation, sweating and dislike of hot weather and frequent bowel actions. Retraction of the upper eyelids causes a staring appearance and the eyes may protrude (EXOPHTHALMOS) from swelling of the tissues behind them. Treatment is with drugs, such as carbimazole, methimazole and thiouracil, which reduce the activity of the gland, by the use of radioactive iodine which concentrates in the gland or by surgical removal of part of the gland (partial THYROIDECTOMY).
Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
--------------------
There is a comment in The article saying - her previous health issues should have been looked into! Something I've been doing with my own health and definitely agree with. I wouldn't mind betting there was an underlying infection in her system long long before she had the knee op. Underlying infections can affect bone density, and do affect other organs and blood cells.
It also says she had only ANNUAL blood tests! She did not attend her last one! Also She had a deep vein thrombosis, I had one dispersed here, in my left leg several years ago before my B I, by a method that used foam injections.
......TOXICOSIS :-
treatment of hypothyroidism hyperthyroidism NTI (recovery phase) T3 toxicosis Drugs Drugs (steroids, dopamine) Interfering antibody NTI Resistance to thyroid hormone Pituitary disease Central hyperthyroidism Normal TSH with a raised FT4 Normal TSH with a low FT4 Intermittent T4 therapy NTI Interfering antibodies Recent treatment of hyperthyroidism Familial dysalbuminaemic Interfering antibody hyperthyroxinaemia Central hyperthyroidism Pituitary disease
Thyroid disease: thyroid function tests and interpretation: this article aims to review the indications for thyroid function tests and their interpretation
toxicosis
[tok′sikō′sis]
Etymology: Gk, toxikon, poison, osis, condition
a disease condition caused by the absorption of metabolic or bacterial poisons.
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 9th edition. © 2009, Elsevier.
NOTE the OR Bacterial poisons remark! Yeast, mould both can cause toxins! That is probably why many people go on gluten free regimes.
it takes hours of research to start joining the dots......anyone with a Thyroid condition should look beyond T3 and T4. especially if Hashis or Graves is involved!
When I was back I. The U.K. And involved with Neighbour hood watch, at a local meeting we were given a small plastic tube lidded container that had 2 Green Cross sticker (1 for fridge door and I for the container left inside it - on the small piece of paper rolled yoinside the tube you wrote your name, d.o.b. And any meds you took.
I'm going back probably 10-12 years or so. does that system still exist? At least for people living alone, but in event of medical emergency in the home it would have given paramedics or Locum doctor a headstart also,
does that system still exist in UK?
One things for sure if I return to UK I'll be bringing my blood test results with me and a list of conditions - better to be safe than sorry!
Some great information and ideas here
Hi fairyeyes, I think that this is another case of non-communication with different departments and specialities at Treliske Hospital. It is a teaching hospital, so they do love to do surgery!
Sorry if I sound angry and bitter, but a few years ago, in another Cornish hospital, I was on the trolley, ready to be wheeled into the operating theatre, when a chance remark by a nurse, sent me into a panic. Medical notes/folders were quickly checked - another person's notes were at the foot of my bed! I made a complaint about this, but got nowhere.
I don't trust anyone at any hospital because there have been so many screw-ups over the years. I now state the bleedin' obvious whenever I have dealings with any so called medical professional, and I always write everything down and take someone with me as a witness. I try to stay away from hospitals unless there is a life-threatening situation. Who knows, maybe I've just been very unlucky!
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