Should I take Levo before blood tests?

[Fibi1907]

Evening everyone.

I've reverted back to taking my 50mg Levo in the morning.

I've got blood tests tomorrow at 9am......should I take my Levo as normal when I wake up as normal around 7.30 or after my bloods??

Also I was at a family wedding yesterday and was a tad 'worse for wear' this morning and for the life of me can not remember if I took my Levo this morning.....is this ok or should I re-book??

Thank you.

[Ruthi]

I don't take my meds on the morning of a test - it doesn't show the true situation.

[Fibi1907 in reply to Ruthi]

Thanks Ruthi, I thought as much.

[Ruthi in reply to Fibi1907]

And I suppose I should add that in general you don't want the docs thinking you have too much in your system. They seem much quicker to reduce doses than to increase!

[Fibi1907 in reply to Ruthi]

Mmmm......so maybe the fact I possibly didn't take my tablet today will skew my results a tad 😬

[Ruthi]

Oops! Oh dear, what a shame!!!

Bearing in mind that T4 takes 8 weeks to leave the body completely, a couple of days are neither here nor there in the scheme of things. You can take two tablets after your blood test.

[Fibi1907 in reply to Ruthi]

I know....so silly of me.

Ok, I was just gonna take the one after to be fair and then just carry on as usual

[ozthyroid]

why is this? I always take my T4 at night time...I take 75 mcg of oroxine (T4) before bed at night, then go for a blood test the next morning about 10am.... is this not the best way of doing it. By the way do you fast overnight?? Or can I have breakfast before my TSH blood tests?? I get better results, that is, lower TSH when I have my breakfast and cup of tea before tests!

[Hidden in reply to ozthyroid]

I don't know why either? I fast if the thyroid tests are included with lipid profile, etc. But no fast if only thyroid. Either way they should be near each other in range. Also I always take meds, blood test or not. I like to know if the med is effective.

[eeng in reply to ozthyroid]

'better results' depend on whose perspective you are looking from and whether you feel well on your current dose. For many people a lower TSH result is a bad thing because they are already undermedicated and want to be prescribed a higher dose, but their TSH is too low for the doctor to agree. In that case a 'better result' is a high TSH, so fasting before the blood test is a desirable thing, as is not taking medication for 24 hours before the test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHSu) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible

My very senior endo, was most insistent I should not take Levo in 24 hours before test. (Perhaps because they recognise there is an over reliance on TSH and also want to keep it as high as poss?)

I normally take at bedtime, but just delay until after early morning blood test. Still take next dose at bedtime later the same day.

TSH has been shown to have a fairly wide diurnal variation, and is highest very early in morning.

[Roseyuk]

Didn't know that..

recently had a thyroid blood work,

So not even the GP is aware of or

Asks you to not take them before..

Unlike a fasting cholesterol test, they make sure you are informed

[Fibi1907]

Thanks for the advise guys.

I will be leaving on an empty stomach shortly and no Levo taken.

Will be posting results when I get them for advise on interpreting them as no doubt my GP will say everything is good 😂

[Glynisrose]

Take it AFTER not before.

[Hidden]

I follow my doctors suggestions, and she said it's ok to take the med on the day I am testing. What would be the point of skipping one dose when it takes 6 weeks or so to build up in your system>

[Hidden]

wow! thanks but no thanks. outta here

[Hidden]

Wow, I am stunned by your answer. I thought this was a safe place, and yet you r saying don';t complain here if I have symptoms or dosage issues. I have NO problem calling mu dr. and getting increased or decreased. However, I will no longer contribute to this website, because hey, I might sound whiney. Thank you for you kind response.

[Fibi1907 in reply to Hidden]

What a shame my simple question seems to have turned.

We all have different symptoms and various responses to medication, it can be very subjective.

I was only diagnosed this June so this site was an unbelievable source I'd support and a wealth of advise.

I'm grateful for both your opinions, thank you both kindly.

I'll be posting my results in a few days as will be baffled by the results