My endocrinologist has never had me fast nor has he told me not to take my medicine. I do not have thyroids, they were removed several years ago due to a 10cm goiter and several 1cm goiters. He is a Diabetes/endocrine specialist and has done wonders for getting me back on track. As thorough as he is I believe if it were important for me to fast or not take my meds he wouldn't have forgotten to tell me that year after year.
It is generally recommended to take thyroid medication after the fasting blood test to avoid any potential interference with the results. However, you should follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions regarding when to take your medication before the test.
It is generally recommended to take thyroid medication after fasting blood tests to ensure accuracy of the results. However, if you have concerns, it is best to follow your healthcare provider's instructions on when to take your medication before the test.
Yes
If you are taking thyroid medication, there are certain things that can affect how your medication gets absorbed by your body; which could affect the outcome of your blood test. Prescribed thyroid medication will state on the bottle the proper way to take it. Typically it will say on the bottle to take one tablet in the morning, on an empty stomach, with plenty of water. It is important to take it with water, and on an empty stomach, because it will allow the thyroid medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes before eating food. If you eat immediately after taking your thyroid medication, drink coffee, drink alcohol, or even add Metamusil to your water, this can affect the overall effectiveness of your thyroid medication.Talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your diet, and how it might affect the outcome of your thyroid blood test.Related Article: What Can Affect the Effectiveness of Your Thyroid Medication
With TSH the results are opposite of what you'd normally think they mean. High TSH means your thyroid is functioning very slowly. Low TSH means your thyroid is overactive.A lab result with TSH of zero could mean a couple of things. If you're on thyroid hormone it likely means one of two things:You took your thyroid medication before the blood test and the medication is affecting your results. If this is the case your results are meaningless and the test needs to be repeated.If you didn't take thyroid medication before the test then you're over-medicated in general and your doctor should adjust your medication levels.If you have Hashimoto's Disease it means that you're currently in the hyperthyroid stage of the disease.For a more complete understanding of your thyroid function you should have the following tests done:TSHFree T3Free T4TPO Antibodies (if you suspect autoimmune disease)
Prescribed thyroid medication will state on the bottle the proper way to take it. Typically it will say on the bottle to take one tablet in the morning, on an empty stomach, with plenty of water. It is important to take it with water, and on an empty stomach, because it will allow the thyroid medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes before eating food. If you eat immediately after taking your thyroid medication, drink coffee, drink alcohol, or even add Metamusil to your water, this can affect the overall effectiveness of your thyroid medication. Talk with your physician if you have any questions regarding how to properly take your thyroid medication.
An under active thyroid (also known as hypothyroid) is regulated by taking daily prescribed thyroid medication, as directed by a doctor. To make sure a patient is taking the proper amount of thyroid medication, thyroid hormone levels are monitored through regular blood tests.
Yes, taking thyroxine before a blood test can affect the results, particularly thyroid function tests. Thyroxine, a medication used to treat hypothyroidism, influences levels of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream, which may lead to altered test outcomes. It's important to follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding medication timing before any lab tests to ensure accurate results.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions regarding what you need to do 12 hours before a blood test; especially if they are screening thyroid levels in addition to a metabolic scan. If this is the case, some doctors will want you to fast and take your medication(s) as directed. Typically, if you are only having thyroid levels checked you probably won't be asked to fast. You will want to take your medication as directed, though.
Can i take thyroxene before my fasting blood test?
Yes, you can donate blood while taking levothyroxine, as this medication does not disqualify you from donating. However, it's essential to be stable on your thyroid medication and not experiencing any symptoms of thyroid imbalance at the time of donation. Always inform the blood donation center about any medications you are taking during the screening process. If you have specific health concerns, it's best to consult with your healthcare provider before donating.
Thyroid supplementation is designed to be taken alone. Labels instruct users to take their medicine one hour before or two hours after eating or drinking anything. It should be taken with 8 ozs of water only. Taking anything or eating or drinking anything with thyroid supplementation will alter its absorption creating inconsistent blood levels.