Hypothyroidism and hypertension

[Ellbird]

I appear to have both of the above. I definitely have hypothroidism but when my T4 levels drop, my blood pressure rises. Once my T4 levels are back within range, my blood pressure returns to normal. My GP noticed this trend but seems surprised by it (and is monitoring it) so I wondered if anyone else has noticed a similar correlation?

[shaws Administrator]

Maybe you are not on enough thyroid gland medication. If you have had recent blood tests for your thyroid gland, please get a copy from the surgery, with the ranges which will enable members to comment. If not, please get new blood tests, including T4, and T3.

In the meantime, this is an excerpt from a study:-

The prevalence of hypertension was higher in hypothyroid patients when hypertension was defined as the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure above 160/95 mm Hg (14.8% vs 5.5%; p less than 0.01). Correlations between diastolic, but not systolic, blood pressure and either the blood level of triiodothyronine (T3) or T4 was significant (r = - 0.174, p less than 0.01, and r = 0.208, p less than 0.01, respectively) when data from both euthyroid and hypothyroid patients were combined.

Adequate thyroid hormone replacement therapy for an average 14.8 months in 14 patients resulted in a normalization of thyroid function and a reduction of blood pressure (p less than 0.01). In four who showed no change in thyroid function due to inadequate replacement therapy, blood pressure remained elevated. These results suggest a close association between hypertension and hypothyroidism.

hyper.ahajournals.org/conte...

[Ellbird in reply to shaws]

This is really interesting, thank you! I am on adequate thyroid medication at the moment and my blood pressure is back to normal.

I'll pass a copy of the study to my GP as I'm sure she'll be interested.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Ellbird]

You say you are on 'adequate' medication at present. Always get a copy of your blood tests with the ranges, so that you can post if you have a query

Many GPs think it is o.k. for the patients' TSH to become 'in range' but according to Dr Toft of the British Thyroid Association, he recommends a TSH below 1. Of course, if someone feels well on a slightly higher dose that's fine too.