Q & A with B & B: Was I Over Prescribed Medication?
Q: I am a 47 year old woman. After a blood test, my general MD informed me I had borderline hypothyroidism, but he felt I did not need any medicine. However, he sent my records to my OB/GYN do to a perimenopausal hormone indication. My OB/GYN told me that I did need thyroid medicine, and prescribed 60mg of Armour Thyroid. On my third day of taking the prescribed drug, I was rushed to St. Rose (on Eastern) with heart attack-like symptoms.
I was admitted, and after two days of extensive testing, I was told there was nothing wrong with my heart, but my thyroid levels were extremely elevated. Upon my release, I went back to my general MD who said I was experiencing a Thyroid Storm do to the wrong dosage of prescribed thyroid medicine (Forest Labs – the maker of Armour has a 15mg and a 30mg). I lost a week of work, had an angio procedure done in my right leg artery and continued with symptoms (loss of breath, dizziness, etc) for a month – until blood test confirmed my thyroid level was returning to normal. My insurance has paid the vast majority of the medical bills, although I have been stuck with the deductibles. My question is – do I have a case against my OB/GYN?
She has claimed she is not responsible for how my body reacted to the drug she prescribed, even though there were lesser dosages available. Thank you. Also – I am not on any other prescribed medication, so there was no chance
of a reaction to another drug.
A: It sounds like someone may be liable, however, not sure whether your damages are large enough to justify pursuing a case as the costs of suit may exceed your eventual recovery. You need to seek the advice of an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroids and get that doctor’s advice on the amount of medicine you were prescribed. I would not trust a “general doctor” or OB GYN on a thyroid issue. Seek advice from a specialist and contact us if you have any long term effects of the treatment.
Very truly yours,
Joe
