Thyroxine

[missprim]

When you are on Thyroxine, are you on it for life?
What would happen if you stopped taking it without your doctors advice?

[woofgang]

the hypothyroid symptoms will come back. Sometimes the dose needs to be altered depending on other factors.

[Smowball]

I was put on it 8 years ago and my doctor says I am on it for life.

[marje]

Yes you are on it for life. I take them and that is what I was told. If you stopped taking it I don't think anything drastic would happen immediately, but it is potentially life threatening if you stop. Perhaps sqad would be able to tell you more.

[giveup]

I think you have to take it for life,Iwas told I had to and I've been on it for 20 years. If you are still paying for prescriptions,you can get it for free. I don't know what would happen if you stopped taking it,I imagine you would feel quite ill

[margie04]

There's an interesting Dorothy L Sayers story where Lord Peter Wimsey comes to the aid of a wife whose cruel husband deprives her of thyroxine to keep her properly subjugated. The results were quite horrific. So keep taking the tablets.

[missprim]

Don't pay for script's but last Wednesday I just decided (on a Whim) to stop putting chemicals down my throat and stopped taking ALL prescribed and over the counter medicines.
Can't even remember what I was put on it for in the first place but it was reduced from 125 to 100 as doc said the dose was too high so wondering if I really need to take it.
Can't ask my GP as I know what he will say.

[woofgang]

Its a good story margie but i think exaggerated for literary purposes. I am a big Dorothy L Sayers fan.

[woofgang]

missprim, thats not maybe the best idea you ever had. If you don't trust your GP then find one who you feel that you can trust but most docs don't prescribe meds for no reason....especially not these days when they get stick for the cost of prescriptions.

[missprim]

Would really be obliged if someone could say, 'well if you don't take it, ????? will happen to you.

[missprim]

Wish I could believe that woofgang but I know for a fact that GP's are very keen not to take you off meds.

[Sqad]

missprim...fine......stop taking the tablets.

Over a period of perhaps 6 months your general condition would deteriorate, within a year or 18 months you would go into a coma and if thyroxine was not introduced.......you would die.

unfortunately the medical staff would not allow this and you would be given thyroxine again.....to start your theory all over again.

Try it.......your choice.

[missprim]

Sqad when you say your general condition would deteriorate - in what way?

[woofgang]

of course gp's are keen for people not to stop meds, they are usually prescribed for a reason!

[Sqad]

Tired, apathetic, muscular pains....put on weight...your voice would become croaky, you would sleep most of the day.......your skin would become thickened and you would develop myxoedema madness....Google it..myxoedema madness.

Good luck.

[missprim]

Ok I appreciate what you are saying and have now given that particular medicine second thoughts. I will go back on it and hope that over time the dosage will be reduced again.
Thanks to all for your input.

[LazyGun]

@ Missprim Yes, you are on it for life. The thyroxine you are prescribed is to supplement they thyroxine that your body is busy manufacturing via the thyroid gland. And thyroxine in tablet form is exactly the same as the thyroxine your body should be manufacturing.

It really is not a good idea just to stop, you will likely feel worse as a consequence. As a general rule, it is never a good idea just to arbitrarily stop taking prescribed medication, which is usually prescribed to treat a medical condition.

And regarding this point you made ;
" Don't pay for script's but last Wednesday I just decided (on a Whim) to stop putting chemicals down my throat and stopped taking ALL prescribed and over the counter medicines"

I am sure you realise that the water with which you make your tea, or coffee, or the constituents of the potatoes and meat and vegatables that you eat are all actually chemicals? I truly hope you are not planning to stop pouring dihydrogen monoxide down your throat........

[Mamyalynne]

Well I am certainly glad you have listened to the sound advice given, did you really think there would be no repercussions in stopping it??


Keep well.

[woofgang]

I have to ask.....what about the other prescribed meds?

[missprim]

Mayalynne I wondered if there might be repercussions that's why I asked. Now I know what the outcome could be, I have seen sense.
The other meds I take will be more obvious to me if I need them and nowhere near as important as thyroxine.

[missprim]

Sorry Mamyalynne, missed the m out.