Hospital meds : I’m currently in hospital where I... - Thyroid UK

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Hospital meds

Trying-hard profile image
12 Replies

I’m currently in hospital where I just came for a bronchoscopy so wasn’t meant to stay. So very unprepared.

Some time ago I started splitting my dose the bigger part 100mg at night and 50 in the morning. I feel better than I have for ages ( bronchoscopy aside) A nurse has just been round with the meds and said (in front of a whole ward) that that was silly and the thyroid doesn’t work that way

I only started splitting my dose a few month ago it seems to be working for me. I can get the rest of my throxoine brought in that’s not my point.

I think I know when I feel better?

Anyone any thoughts?

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Trying-hard profile image
Trying-hard
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12 Replies
cjrsquared profile image
cjrsquared

If it works for you that is the important thing. I would also suggest that you speak to the nurse and point out that her/his remark was belittling and quiz her/him on their knowledge of how levothyroxine works. By making a belittling remark they are breaching their duty of care, a breach of the professional code of conduct. Good luck

Trying-hard profile image
Trying-hard in reply to cjrsquared

Oh she made a point of telling me she’s a ‘thyroid nurse’ ;(

m7-cola profile image
m7-cola in reply to Trying-hard

I think she just demonstrated the contrary!

cjrsquared profile image
cjrsquared in reply to Trying-hard

Sadly she has no real knowledge. Was she advising and facilitating you to take your levothyroxine a minimum of thirty minutes before food and drink with a glass of water? Was she able to advise you to refrain from caffeine drinks and calcium foods for a minimum length of time as advised on the patient information leaflet for levothyroxine? But regardless of her lack of knowledge her behaviour was insulting and demeaning and unprofessional. I can forgive ignorance if someone admits it and is willing to learn, but not rudeness and unprofessional behaviour. Grr

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

I want to support you completely.

If she understands anything about thyroid, she would know that a real working thyroid puts out tiny amounts of thyroid hormone all day - and night. What you are doing is probably closer to that than once a day.

We have also seen many people doing better with bed-time dosing. (Not everyone, of course, seems like there are few universally effective approaches in thyroid medicine!)

If what you gave been doing works better for you, the nurse has to fully and properly explain why you would be better off doing something else that you don't want to do. And persuade you. Otherwise she should simply facilitate continuing your regime.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

No disrespect to nurses, most of whom do a wonderful job, but if doctors know nothing about thyroid because they have so little training in med school, why would a nurse? I think she's maybe kidding herself that she's a 'thyroid nurse'. Does such a thing even exist?

Were the other patients thyroid patients? If not, they would have no idea what she was talking about, anyway. If they were, she's the one that looks silly, not you. :)

MaisieGray profile image
MaisieGray

Saying that "the thyroid doesn't work that way" simply demonstrates her ignorance about thyroid functioning; talking to you in that way with the apparent intent of demeaning you, demonstrates her general ignorance about how to be a nursing professional. Does she think that a healthy thyroid gland suddenly puts out a single daily amount of 150 mcg l-thyroxine, because that's the only way her comment would have any value. And of course it doesn't, it produces small amounts throughout each daily cycle. I suspect her allegedly being a "thyroid nurse" is a job title only, and not a reflection of her actual knowledge and understanding of thyroid functioning, which seems sadly and dangerously lacking. I'm not a fan of nurses in general, and this incident reminds me why.

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

A consultant suggested that I split my levothyroxine dose as to take 100mcg in one go made me feel ill. Please tell the nurse that some consultants advise splitting the dose.

Trying-hard profile image
Trying-hard in reply to Lalatoot

Thank you for that, I’m seeing my gp for blood results ‘again’ on Wednesday. He also told me to split my dose. You’re not meant to self medicate in hospital but since I was told off like a child then ignored (I still didn’t get my other pill) I got a friend to bring them in for me. I’m not here for them to make me ill 😡

Greekchick profile image
Greekchick

My endo says split it anyway you need to during the day to make it work for you, and my pharmacist agrees. That nurse should be reprimanded.

Trying-hard profile image
Trying-hard in reply to Greekchick

Thanks for letting me know that the advice came from your endo. I started splitting mine on the advice I gained here. It suits me really well. :)

MissGrace profile image
MissGrace

It seems where the dysfunctional thyroid is concerned everyone is a bloody expert except those who live with every day, know how they feel and strive to find what will make them well!

How dare she make this idiotic comment to you and deprive you of essential medication. Complain! 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

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