Hi, I have knee surgery planned and my pre-op assessment is mid March. One of the requirements is to list all prescription meds.
As I am currently out on my own (consultant effectively called me a liar, discharged myself; GP not interested) and getting tested privately, do I put down last prescribed meds even though taking more?
I should only be in 2-3 days so I can afford to take prescribed dose and be okay till I can get home to pick up self medicated dose.
Has anyone been in this situation, and what did you do?
Thanks!
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ZippyAppletush
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If TSH is too low, Ft4 or Ft3 too high they probably won’t operate
Presumably you retest privately yourself as GP not involved
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
I take all my medication in with me but self medicate due to being on so much that clashes and also having to take hydrocortisone every 4 hours. I’ve just signed a form to say I’m taking responsibility for my own meds and tell the nurses when I’ve taken them so they can document it.
Just spent a couple of weeks in hospital for unrelated problem. Told them precisely the problem I have (no thyroid gland) and even he brand of NDT I take (Thyroid-s). I told 3-4 different people and nobody queried it at all. One nurse even seemed unsure how to spell Primary Hypothyroidism.
Probably unaware of the whereabouts of the thyroid gland, until they themselves develop hypo. I hope your op is a success and wish you a speedy recovery.
Hi Hidden , thanks for your reply. Going on what you’ve put I could sail through without a hitch! (I hope so!) Sad though that their responses - or lack of! - seem to be the norm more and more these days.
SlowDragon, I have a Medichecks to do but my last tests at GP were in September '19. My TSH levels have been flatlined for years and my FT4/3 high but in range of each other. However, as my previous consultant chose to treat me as the patient and not just my blood levels I had been monitored very well. I have mentioned this in previous posts as my consultant retired and my nightmare began.
I have, for the second time, clawed my way back to thyroid health but my mobility suffered and now I find myself booked for this surgery.
I was at the point of changing GP’s as the practice I am currently at employs only locums and ‘advanced practitioners’ and the man who is listed as my GP no longer ‘sees’ anyone! The last time I was able to pin him down for an appointment he told me my previous falls in my youth were to do with spinal stenosis (from birth, like my hypothyroidism?!) and not at all related to my medication needing to be increased relative to blood tests. I despair!
If, as Scrumbler says, blood tests are done I will see what results they come back with, and what they say. As it’s NHS I wouldn’t think they’d have the full picture either. I feel damned if I do/damned if I don’t!
Scrumbler, thank you for your suggestions. I’ll put some Levo in my bag. I hope, as Emyloulou says, I can simply sign a disclaimer and carry on with the procedure.
Emyloulou, thank you too for your information. I’ve had previous surgeries on the same dosages of Levo/BP meds and sailed through. I don’t see why now should be any different.
Shaws, I still have meds as prescribed at last level by consultant in October ’19. I hope to ask for help on HU as and when I need to buy more meds.
I feel very strongly that the arrogance (and ignorance) of some in the NHS has compromised my thyroid health and if I don’t stick up for myself, who will?
A change in GP’s is on the cards, but on hold until post surgery.
Thanks again to you all!
PS - Sorry, I couldn’t seem to get the names to highlight at the start of the relevant paragraphs.
I have managed to get through a recent pre op with no hassle at all. I smiled and advised, as I always do that since my thyroid was destroyed by radiation in the early 1950s I have always had a ridiculously low TSH. As very few were born back then they tend to make a note and it’s all tickety boo.
I was surprised to learn that there is a note on my file to this effect.
I had to take in and hand over my prescription drugs which I did. I also kept my NDT with my belongings and had hubby get it for me when visiting. Arm in a sling and fainted every time I stood up unaided for a few days. I had no worries they would add levo to the pot as they used patients own meds on trolley apart from pain relief. Good luck.
I've been on medication from six months old in 1961, so a long term patient.
I think now I will hand over the BP meds and hang onto the Levo! If they ask I will explain the circumstances of my reasons to self medicate and show them the results of enforced medication withdrawal! I'll keep an eye on the meds trolley! 😉
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