Fast pulse high blood pressure!

[Footello]

I’ve been taking levothyroxine for 25 years now. Im 60 years old very healthy but went to doc last week for check up and pulse and blood pressure through the roof! Feel it’s the medication - however not had tests yet( next week) but have dropped dosage down from 100 - 75 mg and feeling less pumped already. Anyone else had this? I was on 150 a few years ago - then dropped to 125 then 100 - does this happen with age? It’s when the aching starts that worries me but it’s been 3 days and none yet...

[DeeD123]

I have same problem at the moment with bp but pulse is fine. As I know how ill I feel when I reduce my dose I refuse to do it. So hard to get them to increase 😔 they can do a bit of research to find another way for me. Don’t drop your dose befor tests as it will give false readings

[SlowDragon Administrator]

The trouble with changing dose before testing is you won't now get accurate result

All thyroid tests should be done after 6-8 weeks minimum on exactly same dose

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

low vitamin levels are very common. Low B12 especially as we get older

Low vitamin D causes bone and joint pain

Low vitamins make it harder for thyroid hormones to work, then we can feel hypo and hyper

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Have you had change in brand of Levothyroxine recently?

Different brands are not identical dosage. Always try to stay on exactly same brand each prescription

[jgelliss]

Footello

Hello . I'm wondering if the Dr ran labs with Ferritin and Iron panel . I would suggest If the Dr can also add to your T4 some synthetic T3 or NDT ? You will have to try to see which one works best for you . Journal your symptoms with each one that you try . It's very telling .

Best wishes on your next steps .