>On Sunday the clinician requested an urgent T4 and T3, claiming that
>these tests had been recommended by the Guy's Poisons Information Unit.
>
>Can anyone advise what the medico-legal position is if I am unable or
>unwilling to provide an assay which has been recommended by the Poisons
>Information Unit?
>
>Doug Hirst
>Biochemistry
>Bradford Royal Infirmary
I had a similar problem induced by Guy's in the past.
Thyroxine overdose is EXTREMELY benign. There have been only one or two
reported deaths from thyroxine overdose, and even those were dubious and
probably associated with pre-existing IHD. There is no reason as far as I
am aware to comply with a request for urgent TFT's under such
circumstances. I would politely suggest to Guy's (again) that they update
their advice or
provide some evidence.
I guess the legal position is that bad advice can be ignored.
Aubrey Blumsohn
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