I have been diagnosed with heart failure this year. I had a thyroidectomy 20 years ago and have taken Erfa thyroid and T3 for 19 years. My T4 and T 3 levels are within range but TSH is very low and always has been. It was only 4.5 when I had my thyroidectomy with a shrunken very diseased thyroid gland.
My GP snuck in a thyroid test this week with heart related tests without telling me beforehand so I had taken my second dose of the day an hour earlier. I'm sure the result will make it seem to my GP that my thyroid levels are causing my heart failure.
How can I make him understand that these results will be skewed because I had taken my thyroid hormones too close to testing?
Does anyone else here have heart failure with hypothyroidism and have any thoughts on acceptable levels of thyroid hormone?
Thank you
Written by
maggykriti
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You just have to insist that any thyroid tests done when you have taken your medication too soon before will be skewed, Good luck with that though because a couple of times my endo has not listened when I told him that I have taken my meds, and has gone ahead with a test anyway.
As regards any link to heart failure, I would suggest that being under-medicated would put more strain on the heart. And of course, there may be other factors involved, and no link between the thyroid and heart conditions.
Hi, My test results for the last year have shown T4 and T3 within range and TSH very low. I had a total thyroidectomy 20 years ago and have never had TSH within range since. It panics GPS!
Hi Maggy - under the heading 'Related Posts' on this page there are 10 more posts similar to yours. Could there also be something helpful in the Replies ?
You seem to be doing all the right things re your thyroid meds x
Tell GP that your blood draw was at the wrong time. (we should leave approx 24 hours between dose of thyroid hormones and the test). We don't take thyroid hormones before a blood draw.
Insist on another blood test and tell GP that you took hormones before test when it should be after the test. I doubt if any doctor is aware that taking thyroid hormones before a blood draw can affect the results.
I have had experience of stupid comments from a doctor and I said "I am sorry doctor but that statement is incorrect'.
I shall insist the blood test is repeated. I told the phlebotomist that it was pointless checking thyroid levels when I had just taken a T4/T3 combination. I shall be saying that I should have been told in advance that thyroid levels were required and then we would not have wasted NHS funds on a test which could not be valid. Also, that it is not possible to measure thyroid levels immediately after taking them when T3 is taken and shouldn't the doctor have known that? Fed up with fighting for my health!
My GP snuck in a thyroid test this week with heart related tests without telling me beforehand so I had taken my second dose of the day an hour earlier.
Always ask the nurse taking the blood what tests are being done. If thyroid is mentioned and you have taken your thyroid meds then refuse the test, you can explain that taking your meds beforehand will cause a temporary spike in hormone levels and give a false high reading. They must have your informed consent to any medical procedure so make sure you know exactly what they are doing. If they test after you have refused then that goes against medical ethics and your human rights and you would be within your rights to make an official complaint.
You are quite right, I should have refused the test when I said it would be skewed by my thyroid hormones, I am too passive at times, I lost the will to live sometimes over my 20 years since my thyroidectomy with amazing lack of knowledge in GPs about thyroid disease. The surgery sent several panic messages to contact them on Friday afternoon when they knew I was undergoing heart tests at the hospital so I will be forearmed tomorrow when I call. It clearly wasn't important enough for someone to call me from the surgery over Bank Holiday weekend!
Yup, but I've asked in advance - in writing - to be told 'not being tested', then results come in with FT3 way over range - they don't prescribe, so look for any opp to do these things.
Oh, not only once... you've no idea! Aside from Acute Medicine and the non-chronic disciplines - which seem very good - the rest of the system needs a shake up from top-to-bottom!
Hi, I have learnt from experience not to take my thyroid meds before ANY appointment or test. I had taken it before an appointment with the Endo once, not knowing that she would take more blood tests as well as the Doctor. Needless to say it was sky high!
Very wise, I didn't take my hormones expecting blood tests at the emergency day care last week. I asked when the bloods would be taken at about 12 only to be told that they had used the previous days blood taken at A and E. Can't win!
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