Antibiotics affecting Blood tests?

[amadeusdante]

Hi fellow sufferers, does anyone know if being on a high dose of antibiotics is likely to affect the results of my TSH, T3,T4 blood tests? As always I'm grateful for any advice. Thank you.

[Clutter]

Amadeusdante,

Some antibiotics can increase or decrease absorption of thryoid medication which may affect thyroid levels.

holtorfmed.com/thyroid-drug...

[Saggyuk in reply to Clutter]

Hiya Just to add, my results are always affected if I'm really ill so if taking the antibiotics for a more systemic issue, this may do. I normally wait a few weeks instead - maybe not so much for a more localised issue

[amadeusdante in reply to Saggyuk]

Thank you, I had a vague notion this was the case so thank you. 🙂

[Saggyuk in reply to amadeusdante]

I should have added, the same thing happens to me even when it's viral and therefore not taking antibiotics

[MajorTom]

Hi, are you on antibiotics and have unusual blood test results? Are you feeling OK?

Just my personal experience - longterm tetracyclines severely affect my absorbtion / utilization of levothyroxine and liothyronine - and it continues for several weeks after antibiotics are ceased. I become.very hypo and blood tests show below range t4 + t3 but low TSH. It is not a direct effect on the stomach, like when taking iron supplements at the same time, but seems to be a systemic change in function.

[amadeusdante in reply to MajorTom]

Thank you Major Tom, I'm amazed the effect can last for weeks! I may not be able to wait that long to get my bloods done but at least I'll be prepared for any odd results. V grateful. 🙂

[MajorTom in reply to amadeusdante]

I don't think my experience is a common one and I have been ok with other antibiotics such as erythromycin and Augmentin - I have a bunch of other issues so that might be complicating the picture.

[amadeusdante in reply to MajorTom]

Not gut problems by any chance? It seems to go hand in glove with Hypo sufferers particularly if they've not been diagnosed properly for a long time. I wish you well.