Heart contrast CT - can i take Levo?

[JCMartin]

Hi, i have a heart scan tomorrow with contrast. Do they need to know i have Thyroid problems? Should i take my Levothyroxine before or after? Saw the Endo today. On 75 for 2 wks then 100.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

In with your appointment letter is usually an explanation of any preparation you need to do.

I can't imagine you would need to stop Levo.

[JCMartin in reply to Jaydee1507]

It just said no stimulants, caffiene - but is Levo as stimulant as it can raise your heart beat?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to JCMartin]

Levo is a storage hormone and replaces your own hormone production. It takes 2 weeks to begin working so its not a stimulant.

[humanbean]

Anyone being given contrast should drink generous amounts of water the day before getting the contrast and the same again for a couple of days after receiving the contrast.

The reason for this is that contrast is hard on the kidneys so it is best to help it get flushed out with plenty of water.

[JCMartin in reply to humanbean]

Will do, thanks.

[bikebabe]

I take t4 &t3 and have had many heart scans and have never not used them before scans. They will ask you if you have thyroid problems in preprocedure standard safety questions because they would avoid using any contrast containing iodine.

[Incoguto]

You can take levo normally, but tell them you have thyroid issues as they told me some contrasts contain iodine and these are sometimes contraindicated (my place asked for tsh to see if I can have it done).

[serenfach]

Ask for the contrast medium that does not contain iodine. They are usually reluctant to use this as it is more expensive, but the iodine will send your thyroid crazy for at least two weeks. So any blood results would be wrong.

Drink lots, pee lots. And dont worry if you feel you have peed yourself when the contrast goes in - most people feel like this. The half life of the iodine is around 6 days, but it hangs around for around two weeks. Take the levo as normal. Good luck with the scan.

[Miffie]

I’ve had a few contrast scans over the years. It’s over sixty years since I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Long before iodine in contrast dyes was identified as being potentially iffy for those with thyroid problems I’d had several. To be honest I have no recollection of any technician or other medical professional asking if I had a thyroid condition even as recently as two years ago. It’s never crossed my mind to query the contrast being used as I was never knowingly affected in years gone by. I find I have a rather more laid back attitude to my thyroid condition than most, probably because I was diagnosed as a child and in those days no one ‘made a fuss’. Certainly I was told it wasn’t anything of any consequence and treating it as such has been right for me. I know only too well I am in a minority here. You should definitely do what is right for you . Hope it goes well.