Blood reading not accurate

[technogran]

I've been on Prednisolone for 19 months which I believe is skewing my thyroid result. The doctor made me drop to 125mg which I've been on for months now and am feeling very unwell with symptoms of hypothyroid. The doctor who has admitted he doesn't know much about Thyroid probs has just left word after my thyroid test shows I am a bit hyperthyroid. This as a result of testing only my T4 showing 25 and my TSH showing 0.11. I sent away to Medichecks with the intention of getting a more comprehensive test but am having difficulty getting enough blood to sample. Can anybody help please?

[Hidden]

Can I ask how much Prednisilone you are on? If you have been taking Pred fro 19 months there is a possibility that it has stopped your adrenal glands working which could be the reason you are feeling so unwell - just a thought.

[technogran in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Pauline. I'm on 10mg trying to drop to 9mg Prednisolone but its slow going. I would think my adrenal glands have stopped working efficiently by now. I'll look it up cos I never thought of that. Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to technogran]

It is quite a big dose of Pred which is guess you needed at the time, tapering is hard work & will take you sometime to get down lower. They won 't be able to test to see how your adrenal glands are doing until you are on a lot lower dose. Just keep it on mind because if your adrenal glands have stopped working fully, it can be a serious condition. I hope you are able to feel better soon.

[fibrolinda]

Don't do the blood sample till Monday morning first thing and post same day.

Make sure you drink plenty of water the day before and before taking sample.

Make sure you are warm, do a few exercises to get the heart pumping.

Wash hands in as hot a water as you can beforehand.

When doing finger prick press it firmly against finger, hold for ten seconds after and twist slightly.

I find my ring finger is best, to side near nail rather than tip.

Good luck

[technogran in reply to fibrolinda]

Thanks for the tips fibrolinda but I tried all that stuff twice previously and I never really got a flow going so am going to get a nurse to take it from the vein cos I really want to know the result of this test. Thanks.

[Barrister]

Years ago, whenever I had a flare of colitis and had to take steroids, my TSH would always drop dramatically. My GP accused me at the time, of taking more than my prescribed dose of thyroxine. When I pointed out that it only happened when I took steroids, he stated that he had never heard of that happen wing but when it happened again, he agreed that I was right.

Clemmie

[Osaa]

Hi, I only took prednisolone for only 5days and it messed up my oesophagus. Few months after that I developed thyroid issues. Overactive.

[technogran in reply to Osaa]

Thanks Osaa, I had my thyroid probs long before my GCA but agree with you that prednisolone does muck up your oesophagus so I always eat plenty to line my stomach before taking them.