Do people with hypothyroidism need to take medication before their physical examination

Patients with hypothyroidism usually need to continue taking medication before a physical examination. Hypothyroidism requires long-term regular medication to maintain hormone levels, and stopping medication without authorization may lead to distorted physical examination data or induce discomfort symptoms.

Thyroid hormone replacement drugs such as levothyroxine sodium tablets should be taken daily at regular intervals to simulate physiological secretion rhythms. Taking medication at the regular dose within 24 hours before the physical examination can ensure stable thyroid hormone concentration in the blood and avoid affecting key indicators such as thyroid function due to hormone fluctuations. Fasting blood test does not directly conflict with medication time. It is recommended to take medication first in the morning before receiving blood collection. If the physical examination includes strict fasting items such as gastrointestinal endoscopy, the medication time can be adjusted in advance through consultation with the doctor.

There are very few exceptions that require short-term discontinuation of medication, including 2-4 weeks before the planned radioactive iodine uptake test. At this time, it is necessary to follow the doctor's advice to suspend levothyroxine sodium tablets to ensure the accuracy of the examination. If the physical examination of patients with severe heart disease includes a cardiac stress test, it may be necessary to temporarily adjust the dosage to prevent cardiovascular stress reactions. These special situations require personalized guidance after evaluation by endocrinologists.

Before the physical examination, daily thyroid medication should be carried for timely supplementation after the examination. On the day of the examination, normal drinking water should be consumed to avoid dehydration affecting blood viscosity, and substances such as soy products and calcium supplements that may interfere with drug absorption should be avoided. It is recommended to explain the history of hypothyroidism and medication use to the medical examination institution in advance, so that doctors can correctly interpret the report data based on medication status.