Hypothyroidism now

[PeterpPiper]

Just had an annual revenue, feel fine BUT now been diagnosed with hypothyroidism as well as the known heart issues.

Anyone else on levothyroxine as well as heart meds ? …. Oh well, another tablet can’t do too much harm

[10gingercats]

Yes. This is not unusual with heart problems. Be sure to get a blood checkup re. thyroxine dosage (T4/T3 and TSH) after about 3/4 months. You should be told about this. It can take a while to get the dose right for you.

[PeterpPiper in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks for the reply. I only just got the docs call, will pick up meds tomorrow so don’t know what the starter dose might be, she said low to medium dose initially and a check in 6 weeks Thanks again

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello Peter... You will probably find further information on HU's Thyroid UK forum:

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

Thyroid conditions can also caused raised cholesterol particularly where the condition is untreated. The balance of meds is critical and I suggest you ask your GP to refer you to an endocrinologist.

[PeterpPiper in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Michael

[Lulu2607]

Hi. I take levo since last May after many months of symptoms. Then they told me my cholesterol had gone from 5 to double figures! Eventually thyroid was tested and I started on 50mcg, standard starting dose. You get another blood check after 6-8 weeks and the dose is usually increased until you're back in range and any symptoms are now improved. I had been very cold, tired and my hair got very thin. I'm much better now and take 75mcg Mon to Fri and 100mcg at the weekend. They're tiny tablets, easy to take, first thing half an hour before breakfast. There's no side effects unless your dose is too high in which case it's easy to lower it. I hate tablets but these are fine. It's not medication as such, but a replacement hormone as your thyroid isn't making enough. I should add that my cholesterol is now back to 5 since starting levo and I take 20mg atorvastatin.

[PeterpPiper in reply to Lulu2607]

That’s very reassuring Lulu thanks. I’m on 80mg Atorvastatin so who knows I might even get that reduced depending on the effectiveness of the thyroid drug. I don’t actually have any identifiable symptoms of low thyroid, it just came up in the blood test but who knows - I might feel generally boosted when it’s corrected , thanks for the note .

[francesw47]

Hi Yes I take same dose as Lulu. I became symptomatic after first AVR and although it took a while to get dose established its been fine since. Went a bit haywire after second AVR, but all stable again after about 6 months. Taking correctly is important - I take mine as soon as I wake up so there is a gap between taking drug and having breakfast. Only thing to note is that its important to avoid taking with a PPI (omeprazole etc). If you take one of those I would ask for the advice of a pharmacist about how to time taking the drugs. No side effects other than fairly rapid weight loss initially!! I also understand that having heart problems and an underactive thyroid is not uncommon. Hope you feel ok and get levothyroxine established into your daily routine quickly. As Michael says, there is a Healthunlocked site for thyroid problems, but I cannot comment about it as I never visit it - the condition is not troublesome for me and so I rarely think about it.

[PeterpPiper in reply to francesw47]

That’s reassuring Frances thankyou. Now I know I have the condition I’m eager to get on the tablets which I should have later today. I’m not on PPI anymore so will do as you do and take it on awakening before breakfast. I would however like to pop one as soon as I get them later even tho that one won’t be on empty stomach, I’ll see what the pharmacist says about that.I won’t bother with the thyroid forum I’ll just still to this one, I haven’t got time for a forum for every condition otherwise I’ll be on forums all day :::)))) thanks again for your message

[Lupaal]

Yes, been on it nearly 20 years and heart meds for the past year. No problems .

[PeterpPiper in reply to Lupaal]

Thankyou I feel better already after reading that

[Silvasava]

I've been on Levothyroxine for over 35 years as my thyroid was removed, I take it first thing in the morning and leave at least 1/2 an hour before taking any other meds. I've had meds for BC and now AF and DCM, no problems at all.

[PeterpPiper in reply to Silvasava]

That’s brilliant to hear Silvasava seems like the thyroid drug is one with minimal side effects once the dose is set. I’m expecting to go hyper through the roof initially, maybe I’ll get twice as much work done Thanks for you reassurance

[Silvasava in reply to PeterpPiper]

Like Sal, I am sensitive to cold but that's a thyroid issue, nothing to do with AF. as far as I know thyroxine is a more 'natural' medication and once the dosage is suitable for you you can virtually forget about it. Hope you get sorted soon 👍

[PeterpPiper in reply to Silvasava]

Natural medicine sounds good to me . I’ve got the tablets but decided not to start until first thing tomorrow on empty stomach they gave me 50mcg

[Silvasava in reply to PeterpPiper]

I'm on 100mcg, been on this dose for years. I do have an annual blood test to check the levels are OK.

[simplysal]

Yes so I’m 45 with heart issues. My body started attacking my thyroid gland after childbirth age 25. Have been on thyroxine since then. Fatigue, brain fog and huge sensitivity to cold are my most obvious symptoms.

[PeterpPiper in reply to simplysal]

Thanks Sal yes I understand this condition mainly effects ladies but you can’t keep it all to yourselfs us blokes have to get involved as well :::)) thankyou for your message .. good health to you

[simplysal in reply to PeterpPiper]

Haha! I’m happy to share 😂😂😂

Seriously though, all the very best to you 🥰🥰🥰

[Hidden]

Dear PeterPiper

I will be reading you post with interest as I am on the cusp of being treated for hypothyroidism.

Because I had never had a thyroid test before the heart problems they assume that it has been brought on with the treatment of Arterial Fibulation with Ameodrone, which I have been told is common.

So now out of Arterial Fibulation they have stopped the Ameodrone and we will see if the thyroid markers { TSH of 18.6 } come down, if not I’ll be on the thyroxine with you.

Take care

[PeterpPiper in reply to Hidden]

Good luck with it Blue. I will keep you posted

[Qualipop]

I have a friend with Hypothyroidism. She has 6 monthly checks to adjust her dosage. It can be very difficult to settle on the correct dose. Even though she's been on it for years , her levels still fluctuate. If you get problems, I suggest you look at the website called "Stop the thyroid madness" which discusses the difference between using artificial thyroxine and natural.

[Hidden]

Yes I do . Under active thyroid can cause some heart issues,so good to treat it

[PeterpPiper]

Thanks for the comment. I just popped the second 50mcg of Levothyoxine day 2 but it’s a slow acting drug I hear so no noticeable effects yet. I’m hoping I won’t detect any effects as I feel quite ok before starting. Where would we be without blood tests