Confusion !

[Thingybob]

I am on a number of medications for various reasons. Methotrexate, ramipril, lercanidipine and levothyroxine . Tootling along fine until..... My cholesterol went up to 5.2 and the doctor suggested atorvostatin. I was reluctant and tried the diet route for 8 weeks with no change . I have a healthy diet and lifestyle , exercise regularly ( walking).Started on atovostatin...now my thyroid function is down, more nausea form methotrexate as statins are interacting with the meds ! So i stopped it . Doc prescribed renovastatin.....definately cant be taken with hypothyroidism .

Its a vicious vircle of interaction ! Help and advice please.

[sandybrown]

UK,Cholesterol numbers:

Guide to healthy levels for different types of cholesterol :

Result Healthy level

Total cholesterol Below 5mmol/L

HDL (good cholesterol) Above 1.0mmol/L for men or above 1.2mmol/L for women

Non-HDL (bad cholesterol)

Your total cholesterol is 5.2

You doctor needs to do a QRISK analysis and the discuss the need for statin.

If you have a printed copy of your blood cholesterol results if you like you can respond with the numbers.

Medication interaction is a very difficult problem to address.

[Thingybob in reply to sandybrown]

Thank you . My qrisk came out at 14 due to rheumatoid arthritis and hbp. I am healthy weight, active, 64 yo female.Hdl is 1.9

Calculated ldl is 3.2

Triglicerides 0.5

Hdl ratio 2.8

Lipo 3.4

Any advice or wisdom welcome

[sandybrown in reply to Thingybob]

Thank you.

Healthy life style and watching you food and drinks intake is the best way forward.

[Thingybob in reply to sandybrown]

I have a low sats diet, dont drink. Have given up cheese lol ! Ill try to do better. Thanks for the reply

[Lulu2607 in reply to Thingybob]

Hi Thingybob I am on a similar set of meds to you. My understanding is that being hypothyroid affects everything including cholesterol level and BP. I react to statins and have tried so many I've given up. Usually bad muscle pains. Diet changes don't help as being hypothyroid means we can't clear the cholesterol efficiently. My BP is raised since being diagnosed hypo and again the meds don't agree with me. Lercanidipine gives me ankle swelling and isn't naking much difference to BP. My own cholesterol went up to 17 (!) before being diagnosed hypo and came down with levo and a statin to normal levels. I stopped the statin but it's now about 7. I know it's not diet but the hypo that's driving it up. Being hypo adds a complication to other diagnoses it seems.

[Thingybob]

Thank.you so much for your helpful reply! I was begining to think it was me imagining the link. The gps ive seen dont seem to think that theres any link . My tsh is 3 at the mo so they say its ok . The rheumatologist just says follow gps advice so im a bit scuppered. I have an appointment with my gp next week so will discuss it further, and when i see the rheumatologist next month. 🤞

[Lulu2607]

Hi. When on levothyroxine your TSH should be about 1. 3 is too high, it might be OK for someone with a normally functioning thyroid but not when on levo, and that means you might need an increased dose of levothyroxine. If you are undermedicated then cholesterol can be affected. There is definitely a link. The thyroid forum on here has a lot of posts about it and many hypothyroid patients won't take statins at all.

[Thingybob in reply to Lulu2607]

Thank you for your reply. I have had a conversation with my gp and she is coming around to the idea of an increased dose. She is reluctant due to my age ...mid 60s

[Lulu2607 in reply to Thingybob]

I dont know what your current dose is but I am also mid 60s and on 75 mcg. My dad is 90 and on 100 mcg. Age shouldn't be a factor except when starting levo at an older age when a lower dose is recommended for a gentler start.

[Thingybob in reply to Lulu2607]

Im currently on 100, have been for 9 yrs , since post op. I deff think it needs upping , although i dont have any other symptoms except high cholesterol. ....but maybe i do witnout realising ?? I put increased fatigue down to. age and RA but maybe not .