Routine blood test next week. On both T3 and T4 and the test is at 8.30am.

[MissBfirstDanBlackBelt]

Would it be better to take my tablets after the test on that day?

[shaws Administrator]

If you usually take them in the morning, yes take them after test.

[Jackie]

Hi Vets will never do thyroid bloods if the pet has taken thyroid drugs that day, before the test. Doctors are not so wise! I have lots of tests and find it is hugely different if I have taken them before a test. Now I never take any , nor Beta Blockers before thyroid tests.

Jackie

[MissBfirstDanBlackBelt]

Thanks to both of you.... And what should I say if asked whether I have taken that day'smeds?

[RedApple Administrator in reply to MissBfirstDanBlackBelt]

I very much doubt anyone will ask! But if it were to happen, just tell the truth, there's no reason not to

[Hidden in reply to RedApple]

HI DID,NT TAKE MY LEVO LAST B/TEST, AND WAS ASKED BY NURSE WHO TOLD ME IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT NEXT TIME TAKE AS NORMAL, HAVE TO HAVE THEM DONE AGAIN EARLY MARCH NOW DON,T KNOW WHAT TO DO !!!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gemini

The nurse may not have understood the implications of taking the meds. They are not, generally, experts in any one condition.

By the way - I think your CAPS lock might be on..!

Louise

xx

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Gemini, the nurse is probably worried about 'non-compliance', which is what they call it when a patient doesn't take their medication regularly for some reason (e.g. a forgetful patient).

So, take your levothyroxine immediately after the blood test and tell the nurse that yes, you do take your medication every day. It is not for the nurse to decide what time of day you take your levothyroxine!

[Jan49]

When the nurse asked me I said " I was told to take them as normal". I didn't, however, tell her that I'd ignored the advice.

[MissBfirstDanBlackBelt]

Well the reason I brought it up is because last time the nurse did ask me. I told her I had taken them as normal and she recorded my answer on a form. I think I need to be one step ahead of the lot of them by not taking my meds that day and lying that have. Especially as I'm on t3, don't especially want it reduced or withdrawn lol

[RedApple Administrator in reply to MissBfirstDanBlackBelt]

A nurse will be less likely to understand the implications of falsely elevated FT3 / FT4 levels and much more likely to be checking for what is usually termed 'non-compliance' i.e. patients simply not taking their medication regularly for whatever reason. Quite rightly too, because it would be wrong to change a dosage based on a test result without being sure that the patient is taking the medication daily as prescribed.

Bear in mind too that there is no absolute rule about what time of day anyone should take their thyroid medication. So for example, someone getting a blood test in the morning, who usually takes their levothyroxine before bed, will not yet have taken their medication on the day!

So if you take your medication any time after the blood is drawn, then you would still be taking your medication that day, which is all that matters in terms of answering the nurse's question