Thyroid S

[hilary33]

Can anyone tell me how long it will take for Thyroid S to leave the body.

My new GP has told me to stop taking my tablets because I am Hyperthyroid and will retest my bloods in 4-6 weeks time.

Bloods tested on 26.02.18 8.45 am fasting, at health centre treatment room

TSH 0.05 (0.27-4.20) FT4 27.7 (12.0-22.0) F3 16.4 (3.1-6.8) on 3 Thyroid S tablets

Bloods Tested on 05.03.18 10.20 having eaten breakfast, at appointment to discuss my results with GP.

TSH 0.05 ((0.27-4.20) FT4 21.08 (12.0-22.0) FT3 11.5 (3.1-6.8) on 2 Thyroid S tablets.

I have no symptoms of overactive, but realise I need to reduce my dose.

However, I have not stopped taking the medication yet as I don't want to get back into difficulties and am not looking forward to being without my tablets. Can I wait a week or two before stopping?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[bantam12]

Personally I would reduce dose rather than stop taking it.

[hilary33 in reply to bantam12]

Thank you for your reply Bantam12. I think this would probably be the best idea, but don't know how my GP will feel if I don't do as she says and stop the meds.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to hilary33]

Stopping medication altogether for several weeks is a really bad idea if you are genuinely hypothyroid. Your GP is not doing you any favours by instructing you to do this.

However, you are over medicated on your current dose. I agree with bantam12's suggestion and drop down to 1 tablet. See what your results are on the lower dose and make a decision from there as to what you feel your GP needs to know.

[greygoose]

I somehow doubt your Thyroid S is to blame for your over-range results. I think you have Hashi's. Those results are typical of a Hashi's flare, or Hashi's 'hyper' swing. Have you had your antibodies tested? If not, I would do so as quickly as possible, they could be high right now. In the meantime, reduce your dose a little, but if these levels are due to Hashi's, they will go down by themselves, eventually, anyway.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

How long was left between your last dose of Thyroid S and the blood draw?

If, for example, you took a tablet at 08:00 and had blood drawn at 10:20, you would expect to see higher FT4 and FT3. (I suspect you know this, but I feel I have to ask to be sure.)

[hilary33]

Thank you for replying Helvella. I take my Thyroid S at night before bed. On the night before the first blood draw I took my tablets at 8.30 pm. On the night before the second draw I think I took my tablets about 10.30 pm.

[greygoose in reply to hilary33]

So, do you have antibodies?

[hilary33 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply Greygoose. Yes I do have antibodies. on 16.12.17 TPO antibodies 264 (0-34) and Tg antibodies 170 (0-115).

[greygoose in reply to hilary33]

OK, then, as I said above, those results are nothing to do with your Thyroid S dose. It was a Hashi's swing, and it will go down by itself. Do not let your doctor reduce your prescription - if you have one - because, eventually, you will go hypo again and need it.

I take it your doctor has no idea what Hash's is!

[hilary33 in reply to greygoose]

Not too sure greygoose whether she does or not, but I think I will try to discuss this with her next time I see her. She is new to my practice and replaces a previous GP who was not supportive at all. He sent me to a psychiatrist and put me onto anti-depressants when I asked for a trial of T3. (She is originally from Poland, but I don't know where she trained.

Bloods to be done again on 10 April. I think I will reduce to 1 Thyroid S until then and see what the results are and hopefully get her to support me with more frequent blood tests. Thanks again for your reply.

[greygoose in reply to hilary33]

You're welcome.

[hilary33]

Thank you for your reply reallyfedup123. I thought with NDT you required only 12 hours gap.

[greygoose in reply to hilary33]

You do.

[waveylines]

Yes absolutely. Its not a good idea to be above the ranges for ft4 & ft3. Dont panic though stopping for a little bit then resuming at a lower dose will be fine.

Please dont eat your breakfast next time before thyroid blood test. You need to miss your dose of thyroid-s that morning and fast. Otherwise your results will be skewed. Can take your meds straight after test.

[hilary33 in reply to waveylines]

Thank you for your reply waveylines. The reason I had my breakfast I was not expecting GP to take my bloods, thought I was just going to discuss results. I normally take my NDT at bedtime.

[waveylines]

Sorry didnt see the other comments before I commented.....& I agree with Greygoose. I also dont take my ndt for 24hrs before my blood test. That the advice I was given by me endocrinologist who specialises in ndt.

[hilary33]

Thank you all for your replies. Much appreciated. I will let you all know how I get on in April.