Levothyroxine & Blood presure

[tecnograni]

Hello I have had Underactive thyroid since 1993 started taking levo then in 2006 my endo added T3 I take 100g levo & 2x20 Tx a day my blood pressure is always high but is now 213/97 I would like to get of the synthetic meds and go on natural thyroid treatments As i've researched and found the levo can cause High BP in some I also have ME/CFS, Diverticulitis, Fibromyalgia, Dizziness, & MCS ...Can I ask my Endo to change me to a more gentle hormone treatment. I am 68 a pensioner now I can't afford to go private

[Marz]

Do you have any recent test results with ranges - for the thyroid ?

Are you taking any other meds ?

Do you have Hashimotos ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are extremely lucky to still be prescribed T3 on NHS. 1000's have had their T3 prescriptions stopped

NHS will not prescribe NDT

Do you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease, diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Extremely common to have low vitamins. Have you got recent tests results and ranges for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low B12 more common as we age anyway, but especially common with thyroid, causes dizziness

Post full results if you have them, or get tested and come back with new post

[tecnograni in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I don't Have Hashimoto's or at least I've never had a test for it I do have very difficult to treat hypothyroidism I was put on T3 before it became too expensive My endo tried to take me of or at least reduce it but i flatly refused ...

I haven't seen my Endo for 2 years but am requesting an appointment so will ask for the tests to be done Thank you

[Marz in reply to tecnograni]

Testing for thyroid anti-bodies is rarely done in the NHS. The tests required are Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg. You could have the tests done at home with a finger prick test - results by e-mail and well used by people on this forum.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

The above link takes you to the main website of Thyroid UK and the details for Private Home Testing. Many of us will be able to help with suggestions if needed

Hashimotos is the most common thyroid condition throughout the world - so it is important to be tested so you can rule it out. If positive then there is so much you can do for yourself ....

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to tecnograni]

Your GP can run vitamin and antibodies tests

Or you can do privately (100's on here have to get private testing, NHS rarely test FT3)

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, 12 hours fir T3, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Prof Toft - article just published saying T3 often needed

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

[tecnograni in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you

[tecnograni in reply to SlowDragon]

OK Thanks

[greygoose]

It's hypothyroidism itself that causes high blood pressure. You are probably under-medicated. Plus being diagnosed with fibro, MS/CFS probably means you still have symptoms, by the sound of it, so even more chance that you are just under-medicated.

Dizziness could be low B12, have you had that tested?

There's no such thing as a 'more gentle' treatment for hypo, because levo isn't harsh, and it's not a drug. It's just a hormone. What you can 'natural' treatments, aren't as natural as all that. The hormone comes from pigs, rather than being synthetic, of course, but it is still full of fillers, just like levo. You can't make a tablet without fillers. I think your problem is more than likely that you are just under-medicated, and need a raise in dose.

[tecnograni in reply to greygoose]

Thank you will see what Dr says x

[greygoose in reply to tecnograni]

OK, but it doesn't sound like your doctor knows very much about it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Personally I would stay well clear of endo, the only thing likely to happen is they remove your T3.

That's what has happened to 1000's

Getting full private testing will tell you more than seeing an endo

[Marz]

Do hope you are able to follow the advice given. I have been on this forum for over six years and sadly read posts similar to yours everyday. Sadly Docs prefer to give labels to lots of individual conditions rather than treat the root cause and treat the thyroid correctly.

You could make a start by obtaining latest blood test results with ranges so you can monitor your own progress and check what has been missed by the GP. Yes it does happen.

I too am a Pensioner at 71 and living in Crete so have to pay as I go for tests etc. and read and learn to take care of myself.

Sounds as if you could have Hashimotos - and do not let your GP tell you - it makes no difference - it does as there is much we can do for ourselves.

Click onto my name above in blue and you can read my Bio - only takes a couple of minutes ....

Happy to help ....

[tecnograni in reply to Marz]

Thank you I have been managing quite well up to recently I was diagnosed with M.E/CFS 1991 was bed bound for 6 years - Hypothyroid 1992 prescribed 150 mg daily levo - Fibromyalgia 1993 -and Diverticulitis 1994 - 1996 developed Multi Chemical sensitivities - the lining of my stomach was destroyed by Ponstan way back when & I never recovered properly from a Hysterectomy that when wrong also contracted MRSA- I've been on the T3 x 2 twice a day with 100 Levo daily since 2006 - I used all my savings to pay for private care from Naturopaths Homeopaths Herbalists and main stream practitioners I managed to get myself out of bed out of a wheelchair and had some good quality days. Last November 2016 I suffered a perforated bowel was in hospital 10 days and its taken me 11 months to recover ... The High BP and palpitations started in Oct after my dog and I were attacked by a Mastiff and a Rotti in my village ... I think the stress pushed me over the edge ... My GP well actually its a medical nurse ( cant get to see a GP) isn't Interested in my Thyroid she justs wants me o the BP meds. I don't want to go there I want the cause treated not the symptoms - I am going to try to get an appointment with the last endo i saw he was very nice I hope I can convince him to try NDT

Thanks for listening rant over x

[Marz in reply to tecnograni]

Don't forget to obtain those copies of your thyroid blood tests with ranges - they are legally yours. It will enable members here to see where you are with your medication and perhaps where you need to tweak. With over 70,000 members there is loads of experience to share. You have had a rough journey like so many of us - so now we have to take control and manage our own health. Do ensure you have the vitamins and minerals tested - B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD to ensure the thyroid hormones you are taking actually work well in the body. I was amazed at the difference when everything was optimal .... Have you tried magnesium to help with blood pressure - also VitK2-MK7 ...

Being attacked by dogs is very scary - it happened to me when a large hunting dog broke loose from its chain here in Crete and attacked both my dog and me. Have the horrid leg scar as a memento where he hung on - whilst I hovered on the other leg !

Hope 2018 brings you good health ....