Cholesterol testing.

[rosserk]

Hi all does anyone know if it’s necessary to have regular tests on cholesterol levels if you’re prescribed statins? I’ve just been informed by my doctor once diagnosed there’s no point in re-testing because treatment remains the same regardless.

[greygoose]

So, your doctor intends to keep you on statins for the rest of your life? The man wants shooting! Your high cholesterol is doubtless due to your hypo. When you are no-longer hypo, you should no-longer have high cholesterol and there fore shouldn't be taking statins (you shouldn't be taking them anyway, but that's another story). If you continue taking statins after your cholesterol has gone down, you really will be in danger of a heart attack.

[rosserk in reply to greygoose]

For heavens sake what am I going to do now? My doctor also refused to retest my thyroid because it hasn’t been 6 weeks since my last dose increase (to 50mg) four weeks ago. He told the receptionist to tell me I was within range at my last test TSH 3.73 (0.27-4.2) and T4 13.1 (12-22) so it’s unlikely anything will have changed ergo he won’t agree to do the test.

I told the receptionist I was really ill and it was cruel to make me suffer further if a dose increase would releave my symptoms. I actually burst into tears on the phone so she said she’d speak to the doctor again and ring me back that was a 2pm today and I’m still waiting. I told her nice guidelines disagree with what she’s saying and now I’m terrified my doctor will be really angry with me and throw me out of the practice if she tells him what I said.

Also I was going to order a test from medicheck but I’m worried it won’t be valid if it’s only four weeks since last increase. I’m getting conflicting advice from here and my GP and I’ve no idea what I’m doing. Do you think it’s a good idea to order the test?

[Treepie in reply to rosserk]

Retests should be every 6-8 weeks.

[rosserk in reply to Treepie]

Oh? I was told every four weeks also NICE guidelines say dose increase should by every 3-4 weeks. I thought you could only have dose increase after being re-tested? Thank you, I guess there’s nothing I can do then.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/levoth...

[Treepie in reply to rosserk]

I had not seen those guidelines but most folk here say.6-8 weeks as you need to give sufficient time for the levo to affect the results.

See Dr.Kendrick's book "The great Cholesterol Con" I think it is called re statins.

[rosserk in reply to Treepie]

I got the NICE information from the members on here. I will do some research on statins when I get my head around my thyroid thanks for the info. Kindest regards 😀

[Treepie in reply to rosserk]

Thyroid UK website has good information. I found " Thyroid for Dummies" at the local library was a useful overview if a bit out of date.

[rosserk in reply to Treepie]

Thank you I will look to ordering Thyroid for Dummies, it will hopefully be aimed at my level of stupidity lol 😂

[rosserk in reply to Treepie]

Treepie, I’ve seen GreyGooses confirmation of the information you gave me, thank you. Apologies for doubting you that was not my intention and I’m grateful for your advice. Kind regards 😀

[greygoose in reply to Treepie]

Totally agree with Treepie. 6 to 8 weeks to get an accurate test, and no, you can't increase without a test unless you are only taking 25 mcg. But, your doctor sounds like a nasty little tyrant! You may have been 'in-range' on the last test, but you weren't in the right place in the range. You are still hypo. A TSH of over 3 is hypo, and your FT4 is right down the bottom of the range, which means that your FT3 will be below range, so not surprising your cholesterol is high! But I bet that tinpot dictator of a so-called doctor doesn't even know that. And not surprising you feel awful.

You know what I think. I think you should tell him to stick his statin up his whatsit and leave his surgery. If you're going to do your own tests, you might just as well treat yourself, as well - you'd feel better for it! Buy your own levo and fix your own dose - but you still can test sooner than six weeks. I hate these doctors and they way they treat the people whose lives they hold in their hands! Who the hell do they think they are! Stand up to him and tell him where he gets off. It's your life, your body and your health, and his job is to make you well, not intimidate you!

Sorry. Rant over. But, really, is does make me sick. And, yes, Treepie is right, do read Dr Kendrick's book - it's very empowering!

[rosserk in reply to greygoose]

Thank you GreyGoose, if you’re right and I’m sure you are I’ve actually done my GP a great wrong. I had no right to request an earlier test but I honestly believed it was 4weeks after dose change as stated on the NICE link above. I feel awful now and will need to apologise tomorrow. Kindest regards 😩

[greygoose in reply to rosserk]

He's done worse than that to you. He put you on statins. I wouldn't apologise to him!

[researcherUK]

If you are optimally medicated ie have reached optimal FT3, your cholesterol levels will start to drop and you may not need Satins. Before Statins, they use to consider high cholesterol levels as one the main symptoms of hypothyroidism.

[rosserk in reply to researcherUK]

But I won’t know will I if my doctor won’t test?

[researcherUK in reply to rosserk]

I guess you have to do what most of us do which is to do private testing

[rosserk in reply to researcherUK]

Yes I fully intend to get medicheck ultra test but I’m not sure if it’s better to get it now or at the same time I have my 6 week re-test with doctor. Otherwise any results I get now he will say are invalid because I haven’t waited the ‘mandatory’ 6 weeks. 😭

[researcherUK in reply to rosserk]

Best to wait 6 weeks after your dose increase

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to rosserk]

Definitely wait 6-8 weeks

NHS advice on statins and being hypothyroid

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well and usually around or just under 1)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

[rosserk in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon I guess I have no option other than to wait another two weeks. I’ve added the information to my collection of evidence for future reference. I’m also seriously thinking of stopping the statins, I’m going to do some more research based on what it says in the information you’ve given me it looks like it would be better to wait and see if my cholesterol comes down when my thyroid stabilises. Kindest regards 😀