Is Hashi's causing high blood pressure?

[Swannp]

Hi - I was diagnosed with Hashi's last March and am currently on 3 grains NDT (Biothroid). After random blood pressure checks at the dr's when attending for different reasons my bp is now super high. I had a monitor all day yesterday and it's averaging at around 150/98 with the highest being 173/117. Never had a problem with it before. Could this be due to Hashi's? If so, what can I do to reduce it fast? I am gluten free, exercise daily and have a largely healthy diet. I really don't want more pills. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[HIFL]

Your post should be retitled "Does NDT cause high blood pressure?" because your high dose may be your problem. A higher upper number (systolic) is common in HYPERthyroidism. tiredthyroid.com/blog/2014/...

My BP spiked on 2 grains, and came down when I dropped back to mostly T4 and a lower dose of NDT. Do you have any other signs of overmedication like diarrhea, memory issues, difficulty falling asleep, fatigue, resting pulse over 80?

[Swannp in reply to HIFL]

Thank you HIFL. I can't tolerate Levo - it makes me feel so ill, hence the NDT. Definitely not optimal meds yet but not sure what to do.

[greygoose]

3 grains of NDT is not a high dose. It's pretty average. And, it's not just hyperthyroidism that causes high blood pressure, hypothyroidism can do so, as well - not specifically Hashi's. I had high blood pressure all my life until I was optimally treated for my hypo/Hashi's. Now, it's much lower.

If it's the hypo causing your high BP, then tablets won't help. It would be interesting to see your blood test results, with ranges.

[Swannp in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose, thank you. I've uploaded all my recent bloods above. I am a bit scared by the bp but I'm convinced it's to do with Hashi's. With bp that high the risk of stroke etc is also high - I'm just 50. I had my hair cut today and the hairdresser commented on how thin my hair has got in the last couple of months. Weight is also bad - 3 stone overweight but cannot lose it no matter what I do. Need to get this sorted somehow but am feeling a bit out of control.

[greygoose in reply to Swannp]

Well, your FT3 is much too low, so you are under-medicated. That would account for all the symptoms.

Do you take your NDT the same way you would levo? On an empty stomach, etc.?

[Swannp in reply to greygoose]

Yes, as soon as I wake up and then wait at least an hour before food.

[Swannp in reply to greygoose]

where should the FT3 be? It looks almost top of the range in the last bloods.

[greygoose in reply to Swannp]

Have I got this right - it's not easy to see:

FT3 4 (3.1-6.8)?

Mid-range is 3.1+6.8=9.9 divided by 2 = 4.5

Your result isn't even mid-range. Most hypos need it at least over mid-range.

[Swannp in reply to greygoose]

Sorry, yes, you are right re. the ranges. I'm going cross-eyed studying them! So would you suggest that I up my ndt?

[greygoose in reply to Swannp]

Yes, I would say increase by 1/4 grain and see how you do.

[Swannp in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Geygoose. X

[greygoose in reply to Swannp]

You're welcome.

[RedApple Administrator]

"currently on 3 grains NDT (Biothroid)."

Swannp, I've never heard of this brand of NDT. Is it a prescription medication?

[Swannp in reply to RedApple]

Yes, but from the US.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Swannp]

We're very familiar with most US brands of prescription NDT (e.g. Armour, Nature-Throid etc). But Biothroid is not one most of us have come across and non of the usual suppliers have it listed.

Please can you tell us more about it. I am wondering if it's actually an OTC medication (sometimes called glandulars), and therefore does not have guaranteed consistent levels of the T4 and T3 thyroid hormones that are in prescription strength medications.

[Swannp in reply to RedApple]

Hi RedApple- I am under a Dr in the US - do you want me to pm you the details etc as I don't think I should put them on open forum?

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Swannp]

I'm just trying to confirm whether or not the NDT you are taking is prescription strength. This is not just for my benefit but for that of other members who may be interested. PM me if you prefer

[Swannp in reply to RedApple]

Ok. it is prescribed by Thyroid & Adrenal Research Institute based in Scottsdale. It has to be prescribed by a doctor, it's not something you can just buy. It says on the bottle that 1 grain contains 38mcg levothyroxine (T4); 9mcg Liothyronine (T3); 17 mg Calcium; magnesium, sodium each less than 1 mg.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Swannp]

Thanks that's very helpful

[Swannp in reply to RedApple]

No problem. Do the levels match other prescription NDT

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Swannp]

Could you describe the tablets, please?

Colour. Size. Shape. Markings - both sides.

[Swannp in reply to helvella]

Hi Helvella - for 1 grain tabs they are round, approx. 7mm diameter, off white colour, have RLC stamped on one side and and a cutting line with N above and 1 below the line on the other.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Swannp]

If you go to this page:

naturethroid.com/

Scroll down and you will see lots of pictures of tablets. Go to the one labelled 1 grain. Hover your mouse pointer over the images.

Is that what you have been given? If so, that is RLC's Nature-Throid product. Any branding as anything else, such as bio-throid, is just relabelling.

Having never before seen Nature-Throid rebranded or relabelled, you have surprised me. I wonder if RLC are aware of this happening?

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Swannp]

For T4 and T3 yes they are pretty much the same. There's a comparison table showing the most common NDTs on the Thyroid UK website here: thyroiduk.org/tuk/treatment...

[Swannp in reply to RedApple]

Thanks RedApple. x