Hello all I posted yesterday and am not sure how to re post onto same post. Anyway, was put on thyroxine TEVA started on 25migm. After 6 days felt v unwell. Went back to a different GP last night who says I shouldn't have been put on it in the first place as am only 5.2 TSH (They only do FreeT4 and TSH, nothing else at this practice).Free T4 was 11.7. I have high serum cholesterol 8.1, HDL 1.73, LDL 5.64, cholesterol/HDL ratio 4.68, non HDL level 6.37.
She said she wouldn't put anyone on thyroxine unless their TSH reading was 10 or above despite parameters set on the bloods form.
She asked me why I was put on Levo and I said the last doctor thought this may be why my cholesterol is creeping up due to slowing down of metabolism etc. She said thyroid function only influences this with people with metabolic syndrome which I absolutely do not have (her words). So I was sent away, told to stop taking Levo (refused to change the brand or dose), told me to come back in 8 weeks to have antibodies tested plus another TSH and Free T4 (nothing else)? Thoughts please anyone as so far 3 Gp's, 3 different ideas, in my opinion, not experts at all with Thyroid dysfunction (if that is what I have).
I am worried as I exercise 3 HIIT classes a week, run 5k once a week and walk my dogs twice, plus work full time. Am 53, tired and grumpy all of the time and cannot shift my visceral fat, 36" waste and believe me I eat well. All I want to do here is see if my fat digestion is being hampered by a dodgy thyroid as they already took my gallbladder out in error. It was grumbling appendix all along, appendix removed 6 weeks after that cock up, so no gall bladder either to help me digest fat.
Should I ask for Endocrinologist referral?
Thank you to anyone who can help me. I am concerned that if my body continues to not digest fat properly and my cholesterol continues to rise that I may be in for a stroke or heart attack. Maybe I am over reacting but I have lost faith in the GP's here I am afraid.................
Written by
Gabby007
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
It is always a good idea to put up a fresh post which will be seen by more members. If you want, you can also link in a previous post by clicking on your 'name' and then copy and paste the link into your new post. Members can also click on your name if they want to refer to your previous posts or replies.
Rubbish I am afraid as they are so poorly trained. It is not our fault that the guidelines state (in UK) that we should not be diagnosed until the TSH is 10 which is absolutely awful when the person is suffering clinical symptoms.
I'd avoid this doctor in future and check on the forum as to whether you're getting good medical advice or not.
In other countries we're diagnosed if TSH goes above 3+.
I'd give up running 5k at present and do walking or other gentle exercises instead but not to exhaust yourself. The reason being that levothyroxine is T4. T4 is inactive hormone and has to convert to liothyronine (T3). T3 is the only Active Thyroid Hormone and is required in our millions of T3 receptor cells which provides the energy etc for our metabolism and brain and heart have the most T3 receptor cells. We can not improve if FT4 and FT3 are not in the upper part of the range. You have to slowly work up to a dose of levo which makes you feel well and energetic again.
The starting dose for hypothyroidism is 50mcg and 25mcg every six weeks after a blood test until the TSH is 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper parts of the range. NHS rarely tests the latter two and seem to believe that TSH and T4 alone will be sufficient.
There is no connection between fat and cholesterol. They are two entirely different substances. So, even if you can't digest fat, it won't have any effect on your cholesterol. I had my gallbladder out over ten years ago, but it has never caused me any problems. I don't know if I digest fat or not, but eating it doesn't bother me in any way. And, my cholesterol is too low, even when my FT3 is good.
High cholesterol does not cause heart attacks or strokes, so don't worry about that. Your cholesterol will be high because your FT3 is too low. But if your FT3 is low, you are doing far too much exercise, and that will make you feel bad. If I were you, I would ease up and just do gentle walking or swimming until your FT3 is higher.
You are hypo when your TSH hits 3, so that GP is very wrong to leave someone to suffer until TSH reaches 10! I don't blame you for losing faith in GPs!
Thank you for getting back to me however on one point, saturated fat intake has a lot to do with LDL (bad) cholesterol build up. It is my understanding that levels of bad cholesterol is a leading contributing factor for stroke or heart attack. Anyway, I do not wish to argue (at all). I have never had my FT3 measured so have no clue what it is. According to many papers out there, Hypo thyroid can slow down the bodies ability in breaking up the bad cholesterol. I probs. didn't make myself clear. The gall bladder they say has no function, this is yet another area of controversy which this is not the right platform for. I shouldn't have mentioned that (sorry). Thank you for your input on FT3 I will ask to get it checked plus you are right, ease up on the excercise
Aarghhh! No, it doesn't. No evidence. It's a defective (probably) clearing mechanism and arterial inflammation, and numbers (not amount) of LDL particles and Lip(a). Fat cannot be converted directly to cholesterol. It takes 37 steps to make cholesterol and most of it is made in the body - diet has little effect on cholesterol levels - to really know about cholesterol, read the 9 part series here: peterattiamd.com/category/c...
So when your free T3 is optimal, your cholesterol levels will also be correct. In older people, higher cholesterol means less chance of death from any cause.
Hello, can you please elaborate on how it is concluded that anyone older with high cholesterol has less chance of death compared to someone with lower cholesterol? I am confused as most people would be prescribed statins wouldn't they or advised to change their lifestyles in effort to bring the bad stuff down?
don't worry about responding. I just tried to make sense from your link. I think i need to read it a few more times and then I need to be convinced. So many conflicting opinions.........
Flip, the article from Scandinavian Journal of Primary Care 2013 is really (really) interesting. Thank you so much for sharing all of these. I will stop worrying over nothing, thank you
Also, it seems from quite a few previous posts here (including me) some of us have had problems with thyroid generic brand TEVA. I would suggest browsing through this site and reading up on problems with TEVA. Might be part of why you felt so bad. Just a suggestion but worth investigating. Take care. irina1975
I have no gall bladder. Removed 30 yrs ago. Been hashimotoes/ underactive over 20 years. Only able to loose weight by going ketogenic. High fat low carb . My cholesterol is just above recommended. Which is often the case with hashies.Bp higher than it should be but temperatures and pulse fine. I would listen to greygoose as the advice is sound. I hope your doctors start listening to you. I had to print out a load of evidence and present to mine before they would listen. Good luck and don’t give up
I am a GP too. first there are several things you didnt mention. what symptoms you had after taking L thyrox. and to my knowledge TSH value could be 0.5 to 5 .so if its above cutoff with symptoms u should need some clinical attention. so basically without being examined even the endocrinologist could not say.
If you are not satisfied with ur GP try getting an appointment with an endocrinologist and get it done. I am worried people here posting some random googled stuff and giving u suggestion.
My symptoms on day 6 of taking 25migm of levothyroxine were disturbed vision, (unable to focus on my computer), bursting out crying uncontrollably (way out of character), felt really really ill. The last GP says she wouldn't consider levo unless TSH above 10? Too many conflicts of information from everywhere. I have no clue. It is clearly a very complex organ.... I have asked for an antibody test as so far only TSH and FreeT4. Thank you for your message
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Advice? Rubbish GP etc
Advice on blood test results from GP please
Should I accept GP advice for dose reduction?
Blood results back from Blue Horizon. Advice required on what to say to GP!
Referral from GP to BUPA
