Blood Pressure and Thyroid Meds.

[LAHs]

As a result of taking thyroid meds (Levo then Armour) I have high blood pressure (BP). BP medication interferes with thyroid medications because it uses the same transport mechanisms to move it around your blood stream (TBGs).

Does anyone out there know of a BP medication which either does not interfere with thyroid meds OR one which has a short half life so that I can just reduce my BP in the afternoon - when BP is maximum leaving the rest of the 24 hours alone.

I am normal at night, a little bit high in the morning (155/70) but quite high in the afternoon (170/70) - with a dip at noon.

[Jazzw]

Actually, many find the reverse is true, that being on the optimal amount of thyroid hormone normalises their blood pressure.

So I'm wondering whether the real problem is that you're not on enough thyroid replacement. What do you currently take and how much?

[LAHs in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks Jazzw that is what I want to believe!

I was on 125mcg Levo when I first got high BP. I was not monitoring it very closely while I was on Levo - but that was too low a dose anyway. I am now on 1.5 grains of Armour and I still have high BP. After I have been on 1.5 for about another month I will pay for a full thyroid panel and have a look at my thyroid levels. If nothing is through the roof I might try to increase my dose to 1 and 3/4 and see what happens to my BP.

My doctor (GP not Endo - they don't comunicate) is nagging me terribly to go on BP medication and I am squirming out of it as much as I can. I just had a 24 hour monitoring done and it's hard to argue with.

[Jazzw in reply to LAHs]

Yes, 1.5 grains is a small dose - many are on at least 2 grains. 3 grains is common, and we have a few members here who are on 5 or 6.

Given you're thyroidless (I think - did I read that right in an earlier post?) I'd lay money on 1.5 grains being nothing like enough.

It does reduce blood pressure, being on the right dose. My OH's blood pressure had been at least 90 on the bottom for years until she started taking Armour. Now it's rarely above 82 or 83. She was on 4 grains for a while but now takes combi T4 and T3 (100 and 40mcg respectively). That's the equivalent of 3 grains plus an extra 10 or so mcg of T3.

[LAHs]

Thank you Jazzw, that gives me a lot of confidence. I will get my bloods tested ASAP (it's a question of getting the $300 together!) and start a slow increase in dose - and measure BP along with that.

[Hidden]

I had high BP but since I am on T3 it's completely normal. I tried NDT for a while before T3 but it simply was not enough for me to feel any serious improvement.

[lola1956]

I had very high blood pressure on levothyroxine but since being on t3 at the right dose my bp is now fantastically normal ...my advice is check thyroid bloods first 😊

[Thyroidmeg in reply to lola1956]

I blame Levo for my high bp too now theybwantbto put me on bp meds ;(

[Joburton]

Interesting... I'm recently on 50mcg of Levo, been on bp meds pretty much since 2004 (which kept it under control at between 80/125 to 90/140)

Last week I stopped off at the surgery, stuck my arm in the machine and got a reading of 102/167! I didn't bother panicking about it because I'd been running around that morning. It does raise the question though as to whether the Levo is involved too... Thank you for bringing this up.

[serenfach]

My heavily pregnant daughter is suffering from high blood pressure and huge water retention. I asked if she was on the right dose of Thyroxine, and was dismissed as stupid. She had a T4 result lately and it was 11 - so on the low side. I was told there was no link but I had looked it up and it was all there in black and white.

Baby is fine apparently, but I do get so cross that the Consultants do not know their stuff!

[LAHs in reply to serenfach]

Oh gosh that is so scary. Her gyn/obs obviously didn't know (what a surprise) that you are supposed to increase your thyroid meds during pregnancy. You may even become hypo during pregnancy even though you are normally perfectly OK. Your story makes me despair. I am so sorry.

[Piper729]

Your bottom number is 70? That doesn't appear to be HBP to me.

I read on here I think that low iron can result in a hbp reading. Not enough iron to carry the oxygen thru the bloodstream. Maybe check your iron

[LAHs]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies, they give me a lot of insight into this problem. I am going to increase my dose and look into my iron levels. Thank you everyone.

[Hidden]

As nurse I wouldnt be in anyway concerned about those BP results and wouldnt even mention them to a doctor. They actually look quite good and I would be really happy to have that BP instead of my own which is much worse but my GP claims nothing is wrong. I am awaiting a new ridiculaously expense drug for BP to be invented before I get treatment untill then just hoping I dont have a stroke.

Getting thyroid meds right is tricky business. I would imagine yours arnt quite yet. The higher number with BP tends to represent a current stressor. The lower one indicates whether you have a problem that needs treatment. Your lower one is well healthy and your higher one just suggests you were a bit stressed at time of taking. That maybe because you find having BP taken stressful, or doing some excersie before it was taken or my own theory in your case your body is a bit stressed by lack of thyroid hormones and pumping out some cortisol to cope.

Take your time building up your dose of thyriod hormones 1.5 grains is a large starting dose but probably not enough long term. Mindfulness and walks in the countryside will probably help in meantime.