Are we meant to take our Levothyroxine dose before a blood test or wait until after bloods are drawn?

[Charltonjl]

I've had conflicting advice so not sure whether it would have impacted my recent test results. Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Charltonjl

Always advised here, when having thyroid tests:

* Blood draw no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, an increase in dose of Levo or to avoid a reduction then we need the highest possible TSH

* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the blood draw. This is because eating can lower TSH and coffee can affect TSH.

* Last dose of Levo 24 hours before the test, take that day's dose after the blood draw. This is because if you take your Levo before the blood draw the test will measure the dose just taken and show a false high. If you leave longer than 24 hours the result will. Show a false low.

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.

[Florals in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. I have been wondering about this exact question myself so thank you SeasideSusie for clarifying so well.

[Charltonjl in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes thank you so much ☺️

[041051]

I take my thyroxine at night and I had a blood test at 10-00 the next morning. I had spoken to my G.P. a couple of days before because I had been having symptoms for some months. The result showed that I needed to increase my thyroxine.

[greygoose in reply to 041051]

Well, imagine how low it would have been if you'd left the full 24 hours! Which you will need to do, once your FT4 gets higher, or you will find yourself with a reduction in dose.

[041051 in reply to greygoose]

We all do things differently depending on our own situations.

[greygoose in reply to 041051]

Fine, but it does mean we get different results. You could, just for once, on the day before the test, take your levo at a diffiferent time, no? Just saying that for your benefit, doesn't make any difference to me. But, I'm not sure it's a good idea to be recommending that method to other people.

[041051 in reply to greygoose]

I wasn't recommending any method, I was just commenting on a post by recounting my experience. I had symptoms, I spoke to my G.P. , I had a blood test and my medication was altered. I have to speak to my G.P. if I show signs of the dosage being too high and have another blood test in 2 months.

[Marz]

You can scroll down and down the page to Related Posts where you will find 10 more similar to yours ..🌻

[Charltonjl]

Thanks everyone 😊