should meds be taking before blood test

[Jaidee]

I am due for another blood test this week and I never know whether to take my thyroxine before the test or not.... should I or shouldn't I ? Please help

thanks

[Annamaria]

i had my first blood test since starting on thyoxine a couple of months ago and i allways take my tablet first thing in the morning or i would forget.

[Jaidee in reply to Annamaria]

Thanks Annamaria....... some people say to take it before a blood test others say not to because it gives a false reading........... but I am never quite sure.

Normally I take mine first thing in a morning as well (with my coffee)

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Annamaria]

Jaidee,

Are you aware that taking it with your coffee will affect how well you absorb the thyroxine? Some advise waiting around half an hour after taking thyroxine before drinking anything other than water.

(I'm trying to ignore the common suggestion that drinking any coffee is bad for hypothyroid people. I am not convinced.)

Milk, in your coffee, on your cereal, or any other way, can also affect absorption. Seems the calcium in milk can bind to some of the thyroxine which will reduce how much you can absorb.

All the best

Rod

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Jaidee,

I would always choose to avoid taking thyroxine on the morning of a test. Further, I would try to get my test as early in the day as practical.

Your TSH might or might not be much affected by taking your thyroxine. But if they do a free T4 test that would definitely be affected. (And they will do a free T4 test in some cases without your doctor having requested it.)

All the best

Rod

[Jaidee in reply to helvella]

Thank you,

I have been taking thyroxine for three years now and not one doctor, nurse or chemist has told me not to drink for half an hour or so after taking it.

Thyroid disease must be 'high up' on the medical list otherwise we would not be getting free prescriptions so why isn't there more information readily available from the doctors when we are diagnosed.

Sorry for moaning but it just makes me angry sometimes that we are fobbed off with 'normal' blood tests, aches and pains are age related, hair falling out and broken nails are just 'one of those things' etc etc. We know our bodies and how we feel - all I'm asking is for my doctor to give me more than the allocated five minutes and actually listen to what I have to say and give me some advice.

Thank you again it really is much appreciated.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to helvella]

Totally agreed Jaidee! However, the main problem is actually not that doctors don't want to help, but that they are totally ignorant about thyroid disease.

When I was first diagnosed, I made the big mistake of assuming my doctor knew what it was all about. As time went on, I gradually began to realise he knew virtually nothing. Thank goodness for the internet. It has enabled me to research and learn from others. My doctor now listens to me and treats me with respect as he openly admits I know far more than him. I have educated him a little along the way, but our GPs deal with a huge number of different medical problems and just don't have the time to become experts in anything.

[Jaidee in reply to helvella]

Thank you RedApple - I have only joined this site a few days ago and already have learned more than I have over the last three years, it's good to know that I am not alone, but sometimes I feel incredibly lost.

I do read up on the internet but my brain just doesn't seem to retain information anymore. maybe I should start to print out information and take this to my GP with me.

Thank you again and I look forward to being educated r at least as much as my brain will allow. One thing it hasn't taken is my sense of humour.

jaidee

[RedApple Administrator in reply to helvella]

Yes, definitely take printed information to your doctor. I usually use a highlight pen to make the relevant bits stand out easily. That way the doctor can't miss whatever it is that I want him to read, and is less likely to push it aside because he doesn't have the time to read it all.

[RedApple Administrator]

Blood levels of thyroxine are at their peak approximately two hours after swallowing your tablets. They then start to gradually fall over the day.

If like most people, you take your thyroxine first thing in the morning, then your blood level will be at it's lowest just before you swallow your tablets.

It makes sense to me to get your test done when you are at your lowest level. You want to know what your worst scenario is, not your best.

So if you can get your test appointment for the morning, then don't take your medication until after the blood has been drawn. (I usually take my tablets with me and swallow them as soon as I walk away from the phlebotomist!). But if you can't get a morning test appointment, then try to get a late afternoon appointment and take our medication in the morning as usual.

If you are still getting your dose titrated and thus having regular blood tests, consistency of test time is also important. Try to always follow the same testing routine so that you have a reasonably accurate comparison with previous tests.

[Jaidee in reply to RedApple]

my fasting blood test appointment is 9.10 am. I will take my medication afterwards. At the moment I am having blood test every three months having increased from 125 to 150 and insisting that I feel better on 150 and do not want it to be reduced again.

Thank you

p.s I like this site