cholesterol - a test - stopping taking thyroid!

[LeslieBrian]

I thought I was having a stroke! I took my blood pressure - 220/125 - just about freaked out. See the

GP - checked BP history from about 8 months ago it was OK - why the change? I had a strange sensation in rt arm and right face. I exercise, every morning, gave it really hard work out this morning to get some chest pains - none. With GP - heart check good and lungs good - all the tests for stroke - non-existent. GP sent me to Stroke Clinic. CT scan - no sign of stroke? Really! But, but CHOLESTEROL was nearly 10! Just how did that change - it was around 4 a year ago. Same consistent eating, exercise and BMI at 24/25.

Through the whole day I just forgot - thyroid meds! I stopped them a year ago!! I was not "just about freaked out" I was "freaked out". Not good to forget.

On the way home, partner driving as I was banned because I been checked for a stoke, we started to calm down and think. We had the meds, blood thinner Aspirin, blood vessel expander Amlodipine and the good old Statins. Well I do need the BP down so take Aspirin and Amlodipine - but - how about the Statins - really? There are no indicators to give Statins - the reason (get out really) "your genetics" - proof please - none I know of (comments). When I checked out meds on Google all the info talked about chest pains and palpitations - had none.

I'm getting close to go back on the Thyroid meds. I was self dosing with T3 - 12mmg per day. When I stopped thyroid meds I had TSH, T4 and T3 checked one month after stopping - all where in mid-region. What did I think? "well must be OK" - perhaps not so in retrospect.

Comments and references on my madness would be appreciated.

Les

[humanbean]

1) What were your thyroid function test results before you started thyroid treatment, and what were your symptoms?

2) Why did you stop taking your thyroid meds?

3) What symptoms, apart from high cholesterol and high BP, do you have now - if any?

[LeslieBrian in reply to humanbean]

1) What were your thyroid function test results before you started thyroid treatment, and what were your symptoms?

That was about 20yrs past. Very tired and family history. GP then would not do bloods. I had to fight to get T4.

2) Why did you stop taking your thyroid meds?

I always like to investigate/experiment but forgot about it. GP refused T3 test. Then when I said "I'm trying T3" the T3 test become available.

3) What symptoms, apart from high cholesterol and high BP, do you have now - if any?

Tired and poor mental focus. Both common in HypoT.

Will request TSH, T4 and T3 Monday and once done, I'll start T3 again.

Thanks for questions - moving the mind into a different view.

Les

[Clutter]

Les, one of the first symptoms of hypothyroidism can be elevated cholesterol. Suggest you get a thyroid function test as your last was over a year ago. Get a printout of your results with the lab ref ranges and post them for comment.

[LeslieBrian in reply to Clutter]

Will do - see in previous reply. Think I'll add antibodies. I'm going to ask for past results for about 4 year (may be a tough one).

My cholesterol went from 4 to 10 in 12 months - a bit quick?

Les

[Clutter in reply to LeslieBrian]

Les, I really don't know how quickly cholesterol rises and falls. Re your records, you are entitled to them under the Data Protection Act, but you may have to pay £50 for manual and electronic summary records over 40 days old.

ico.org.uk/for_the_public/t...

[marram in reply to LeslieBrian]

I was on 150 Levo: Cholesterol 4.7. Doc reduced Levo to 100. 8 weeks later, had TIAs. one month later, tested cholesterol: 9.7! 4.7 to 9.7 in 3 months! Pretty fast, you'll agree. It eventually went to 10.4.

Of course, according to my doctor it was COMPLETELY UNCONNECTED with that reduction in Levo. Pull the other leg, doctor. It's got bells on.

[LeslieBrian in reply to marram]

Did you get back to 150 Levo and a reduction of the cholesterol? Was your BP raised as well?

Les

[marram in reply to LeslieBrian]

At the time I was unaware of the connection, it took me almost 8 years of nagging my GP and being ignored. I finally took matter into my own hands and increased it slowly. But the damage was too much after 32 years of second-rate care. I eventually saw a private consultant (Dr BDP) and changed to T3-only and as soon as I was properly treated my cholesterol fell - it is just under 6 now and I am perfectly happy with that, because high cholesterol is not dangerous anyway, it is inflammation which is dangerous. After all, I went 8 years with high cholesterol, yet tests proved that my arteries were clear.

My BP was never high.

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link which will give you information when untreated, or undertreated.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...