Link between Hypothyroidism and Peripheral Artery Disease

[norwood1]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone here knows if there is any known link between Hypothyroidism and Artery Disease. I have been hypothyroid since 2007 I think but maybe 2009 (brain fog) but have just recently being diagnosed with Peripheral Artery disease which is currently affecting my ability to walk any distances and before I see a vascular surgeon just wanted to know if there was any link before being told off for being a smoker (I know this is not good for you and I am trying to give us) and perhaps a poor diet etc. I have always had above normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels about 5.5 but have never taken medication for these. I am 54 and 46 kilos in weight.

Any insight to the above would be very helpful.

Many thanks

[shaws]

This is an excerpt from the following link:

The association between overt hypothyroidism and coronary heart disease has been repeatedly observed (Becker 1985). Less evident is the role of asymptomatic mild elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone (subclinical hypothyroidism), notwithstanding that it represents the majority of patients with thyroid dysfunction. It was shown (Hak et al 2000) that even subclinical hypothyroidism independently doubled relative risk of myocardial infarction in females. The most frequent cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) manifested by elevated thyroid antibodies, namely thyroid peroxydase antibodies (Samuels 1998). Thus, a sole increase in thyroid antibodies may potentially influence the coronary risk. The aim of our study was to establish the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in a well defined sample of patients with manifest coronary heart disease and to assess its associations with other coronary risk factors.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

I am not medically qualified but wonder is it due to doctors/endocrinologists not testing the Frees i.e. T4 and T3.

hypothyroidtohealthy.com/lo...

excerpt from last link:

Low T3 in the heart can cause heart failure

[norwood1 in reply to shaws]

Many thanks for your reply and the articles which I will read thoroughly. I agree with you regarding the T4 and T3.

Best wishes

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you had vitamin D, folate and B12 tested recently?

Your ferritin was dire on last post

Do you have Hashimoto's? If so are you on strictly gluten free diet?

When hypothyroid our gut can be badly affected, reducing the ability to absorb vitamins

[norwood1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, yes I had VitD, Folate and B12 tested in the last month at the hospital. Folate is still low and Vit D is on the low side but slightly above ' the normal range' however I am supplementing myself and Doctors will re-test in 8 weeks as they want to keep an eye of some of these results. My blood results are at home otherwise I would post them. I have B12 injections every 3 months. Yes, I have hashimoto's. I am not gluten free, i tried but i did not notice any difference. I do have ulcerative colitis so I try to be very careful with my food because of this and I know what does and does not suit my system. I have lost a stone in weight since December which is why I have been having lots of tests over the last few months at different hospital clinics which has been tiring but nothing sinister has been found. After some ultrasounds they diagnosed Periphial Artery disease and I also tested positive for Rheumatoid arthritis which flares up every now and again in my hands and wrists. It is no fun getting older and since I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism all the other problems developed but not being able to walk properly is now becoming a big problem for me but hopefully it will get sorted soon. !! I hope you are doing well and sorry if this reply is long.

Best wishes

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to norwood1]

Sometimes gluten free diet symptom improvements are very subtle. You certainly don't have to have any gut issues at all

everydayhealth.com/rheumato...

I could not walk hardly anywhere this time last year. May be 10mins at slow pace. But since adding small dose of T3 I am completely back to normal. More on my profile.

I find it absolutely essential to be strictly gluten free and supplement a lot

[norwood1 in reply to SlowDragon]

I am glad that going gluten free has worked well for you and helped with your symptoms. Thank you for the link which I will read thoroughly. Perhaps it is time to have a good overhaul. Hope you continue to feel and be well.

[McPammy]

Hi Norwood1,

I hope your walking has improved since your post on here 10 months ago. And that you have treatment to help with your symptoms.

I am very interested in your post. I too have Hashimoto Disease and was diagnosed in 2007. Over the years I’ve had a few problems with high blood pressure but only every 6 months or so related to my thyroxine dose. If it went too high I would get highblood pressure. When dose reduced blood pressure ok again. Last year my legs started to get weak after an increase dose in my thyroxine, until I found it almost impossible to walk. Then not only my legs effected but also my face and vision at times. Not sure if you had similar symptoms. I’ve stayed in hospital 3 times last year without any diagnosis. No Dr seemed to know what’s going on here. I was referred to neurological Drs and Endocrinologist’s too. Still no diagnosis. Then a couple of weeks ago on trying to find my own answer to this debilitating situation, I came across peripheral arterial disease. On checking the symptoms I have all of them pretty much. Then I read about the connection with thyroxine medication and the effect it can have on your arteries and the pumping of blood dictated by thyroxine intake. This would certainly explain my high or too low blood pressure over the years

And my desk job for many years contributing to lack of leg exercise.

So I went to see my GP last week and this week I’m having a Doppler test on my legs to confirm if I have narrowing of the arteries or vessels. I’m hoping this is my answer as I’ve not been able to walk hardly for nearly a year and had to give up my brilliant job too.

No Dr anywhere has even suggested I may have this disease yet.

I’m hoping you are on the road to recovery now and hope you don’t mind me contacting you over this old post. I was also wondering how you’ve got on and what, if any, treatment you’ve had.

Many thanks,

Pam