Pre-Op Testing: Unexpected Results

I am so sad.  I think I am in shock.  Always test come back normal, especially if I say there is something wrong.  I haven't felt my 'normal' good for months and I had Laryngitis and an unknown virus or something and never felt the best since.  Well, doing all the required pre-op (DS) testing needed as asked for by Dr. Gary Anthone, Methodist Hospital, there were results that popped up that weren't there in March when the last tests were done for my annual physical.  

I have an enlarged liver to start.  Something is low... can't remember what it was but no signs of disease.  I will need to monitor the function of my liver for the next 3-6 months to see if it wavers one way or the other.  

Also, my thyroid went from 3.16 to 10.5 (tested March then July).  I am now on medication I am being told I have to take for the rest of my life. Hypothyroid Where did that come from!?!?? Ahh!

I also am being told that an Anesthesiologist would not likely clear my for surgery with the thyroid issue.  I am panicking and sad.  SAD.  I have been ready for DS foreverrrrrrrrrrr now!

I go to the Endocrinologist Wednesday afternoon, my doctor got me in with the same dr I saw about six years ago.  So sad.  

Anyone have similar issues?

Hi Rita, I am sorry to hear about your lab results. It is a good thing these were caught before you had surgery. A lot of people are hypothyroid. Your surgeon and other doctors on your team want you to be as healthy as possible. Once everything stabilizes you will have your surgery. Let us know how you are doing. Mona

Also, my thyroid went from 3.16 to 10.5 (tested March then July).  I am now on medication I am being told I have to take for the rest of my life. Hypothyroid Where did that come from!?!?? Ahh!


Are you bipolar by chance?  If so, that will cause your numbers to jump around like that.  Good luck!!

I am not bipolar but have other anxiety conditions.  I go back to the endocrinologist the 29th of Augsut so I will see where my levels are then after 3 weeks of taking Levothyroxin.

First, I have to give you props for seeing Dr. Anthone. I had my band done by Dr. Winterstein (they work together) and they're both really talented surgeons. :)

Now...don't panic.

Hypothyroidism is pretty common, especially in women and it can pop up without a lot of warning. With hypothyroidism, you'll need to take medications for the rest of your life, usually one pill a day. It's not a condition you can really prevent, so don't beat yourself up about it. The good news is that most pharmacies have thyroid medication on their $4 a month list and I haven't heard of an insurance company that won't cover it.

An anesthesiologist may not want to do surgery if you're hypothyroidism isn't controlled...but once you get your hypothyroidism under control, it may be a totally different story.

I had subclinical hypothyroidism when I had my surgery in November. An endocrinologist put me on levothyroxin based on a thyroid test result of 3.5. After a few months, the results went down to less than 1. About 3 months after surgery, they took me off the medication and my results are hovering around 2.0 right now.

The anesthesiologist didn't blink an eye when I told them I was taking meds for hypothyroidism.

So don't panic. Write down a list of questions for both Dr. Anthone and your endocrinologist. I'd want to know what the relationship is between surgery and hypothyroidism...what are the risks? Just understanding the issues seems to help me deal with the potential let downs.

Good luck with the whole process!

They did find yet another problem- a pericardial cyst on my heart but it seems to be incidental only.  I have my surgery date and I haven't been this thrilled in a really long time!  As long as the anesthesiologist doesn't refuse to sedate me- we are all good to go!

September 4th, 2009!!!!! and I get my DS!!