Blood pressure

[Thyroidmeg]

I feel hypo a few years since total thyroidectomy yet my results say normal . They actual are only 1.7 or something now but could they go lower? Can this be affecting my bp which is high now I'm on 200 levothyroxine a day

[ravenhex]

Yes and no. Too much can cause symptons, to low also. To be on the safe side, Ask your GP to run a 24 hour blood pressure test. To see whether it is only high when you see Drs. Or is continously high.

I warn you now, that blood pressure monitor you wear for the 24 hrs is noisy and uncomfortable. Its worth having to rule out actual high blood pressure.

[greygoose]

Hypo can cause high blood pressure. It does in me. What is the 1.7? TSH? That is too high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement, it should be below 1. But your doctor should also be testing your FT4 and FT3. TSH, on it's own, after a TT is not a good basis for dosing. Maybe you could get a referal to an endo?

Hugs, Grey

[Thyroidmeg]

Thanks that's good to know. tsh is the only thing they tested. Last year it was 2.8 but its come down a bit with no change to levothyroxine . I'm on 200 levo a day. I asked thyroid nurse for the other test but she said I can tell you now you're converting fine tsh is fine it's sooo frustrating. I am cold all the time my skin is dry but thankfully I have warm clothes and lots of moisturiser. I'm also trying hard to lose weight .

[Stourie in reply to Thyroidmeg]

How on earth does the thyroid nurse know that you are "converting fine". No t4 or t3 results. Another idjit to join lots of doctors. If you are as cold as that surely you need a rise in medication especially as your tsh isn't low enough. I would be going back to see them and asking for more levo or maybe some t3. Its worth a try. Hope you start to feel better.

Jo xx

[greygoose in reply to Thyroidmeg]

You tell the nurse that no way does TSH tell you if you are converting! Where did she go to school? To know that you need to do an FT4 and an FT3. TSH does not accurately reflect thyroid status nor how well or otherwise the patient feels. There are lots of links to articles on this subject on this site. If you do a search you will find them.

But as you still have so many hypo symptoms on 200 mcg, I would think you aren't converting very well and that the addition of some T3 to your levo would be benificial.

Hugs, Grey

[Cinnamon]

I had 'unexplained' high blood pressure for years before I was finally diagnosed hypo and put on levo. My BP is finally coming down, but I'm on a lot less levo than you are -- only 50ug. My TSH is now under 1. Might be a good idea for you to have vitamin B12 tested along with D. Has GP said anything about referring you to an endo, who might have more idea of how to treat the combo hypo and high blood pressure? Finally, you have a right to your test results -- they can't say no. There are lots of people on here who know a lot about the ranges and results. So, good idea to post any blood results with ranges. Good luck.

[Thyroidmeg]

I asked for vitamin checks and she said I can tell you now you have all the vitamins you need. Hopeless

[Cinnamon in reply to Thyroidmeg]

Oy. Maybe push for B12 at least. There's a reasonable frequency of Pernicious Anemia along with hypothyroidism. I finally was tested for this by endo and found that I am very deficient. Starting on B12 injections tomorrow. Maybe do a search for B12 deficiency symptoms. Can you see a different doctor and nurse at your surgery?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Thyroidmeg]

Maybe you will have to get a private test for B12 and Vit D.

Do you have your latest thyroid gland blood test results and post here complete with ranges - it may be that you are undertreated. Previous normal doses used to be between 200mcg -400mcg before the TSH test. If I, who has not had a TT, has to have a TSH of below 1 (0.01 at present) I believe you should have a suppressed TSH.

[Thyroidmeg]

Thanks I've got plenty of information for my next visit which is in June. I need to be stronger and not just accept but an ill informed nurse tells me