Will a reduced dose of Thyroxine for under active thyroid affect blood pressure ? I also have inherited high cholesterol and take statins.

[notmoretablets]

Could this be a why my blood pressure is high ?

[EMBoy]

Before my hypothyroidism was diagnosed and treated, my BP and cholesterol were both through the roof, but once I started treatment they both came down. Unfortunately my BP increased again, but that was to do with my heart block, not my thyroid. You really don't want to reduce your thyroxine and risk all those other unpleasant symptoms of hypothyroidism.

[notmoretablets in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you for reply. I don't think I explained very well. I have been treated for an under active thyroid for about 30 years. I'm also on statins for inherited high cholesterol again for 30 plus years. I have not had any problems, but about 5 years ago my thyroxine was reduced from 175 mgs to 125 mgs .At the time I thought and asked if that was the right thing to do, but was told by my doctor the test was saying I was on to much and that as you got older you didn't need as much. Over the last 5 years I have had calf pain which some days makes it difficult to walk far. Under active thyroid symptoms, dry skin, getting very cold and being unable to get warm, hair loss. Now, I might be nearly 70, but I work as an Avon lady and am busy. I don't drink. never smoked, exercise is difficult and I should be lighter!! But I don't sit all day. Now I have been told I have high blood pressure. Having been unable to work because of the corona virus I have been reading up on blood pressure, and saw that having high cholesterol and under active thyroid gland can affect your blood pressure. So I wondered if my lower dose of Thyroxine had over the last five years has been the correct amount, but I guess it could be a case of just deal with it, and accept another tablet.

[bantam12 in reply to notmoretablets]

A drop from 175mcg to 125mcg is quite drastic especially if it was done in one go, doses should only be reduced by 25mcg at a time and every 6-8 weeks. Your Dr was probably only looking at your TSH level and if low assuming that you were overmedicated which is incorrect, you would only be overmedicated if T3 level was over range.

If you are now undermedicated it could well be effecting your bp, you need to get a copy of your latest thyroid tests, TSH, T4 and T3 to see if you need a dose increase.

[notmoretablets in reply to bantam12]

Thank you for reply. I thought to was a big drop all at once, that's why I questioned it at the time. Should the surgery let me have a copy of my test results if I request one? Do you know what the readings should be, are they the same for everyone ? Is the doctor correct saying... you don't need as much when you get older... this seems strange . Why would you need less, if your getting older wouldn't your body need more back up.

[bantam12 in reply to notmoretablets]

You are legally entitled to copies of all tests, your GP surgery cannot refuse, just ask the receptionist for a print out.

There are no "readings" that work for everyone, we all need what we need, generally though TSH will be below 1 and T4and T3 in the upper part of the ranges, the ranges will differ between hospital and labs so can't be compared.

It can happen that as we age we need slightly less replacement, body functions slow down so possibly don't need the same amount of replacement hormone. I have no thyroid and was taking 150mcg for years but now I only need 125mcg, I'm 65.

Once you have your latest results you could post on ThyroidUK forum for more advice, but remember that the members are not medically trained although some think they are !!!

[notmoretablets in reply to bantam12]

Thank you for replying. Good advice just what I needed.

[EMBoy in reply to notmoretablets]

It sound as if your thyroid dosage is too low - you are showing all the classical symptoms. If I were in your shoes, I'd try to get a GP appointment and have my thyroid checked again. I'd rather take more thyroxine than tablets to lower my blood pressure.

[notmoretablets in reply to EMBoy]

Thank you for replying. I thought the just the same as you !! If thyroxine dose is to low I'd rather try going back to what I was taking in the first place, instead of another type of tablet being added to the mix!!!