Hello all, I am 62 year old woman and was diagnosed some years ago with hypothyroidism and have taken Levothyroxine at 50 to 100 gms (varying according to annual testing) with no particular noticeable problems. I have, for a long time, had higher than normal cholesterol levels but dr has always said not to worry as ratio HDL to LDL was usually ok. However latest test has shown normal T4 but very high Serum TSH (23.6 miu/L) and coincidentally Cholesterol test done at same time shows 8.4 mmol/L with LDL at 5.52 mmol/L. Dr wants to see me and I have made appointment. I have done a bit of googling and think the two could be connected??? I expect dr will want me to go on statins which I am reluctant to do as I also saw something about them not being good for those with under active thyroid. I have family history of heart disease - father died of heart attack at 58 and his mother at 64 of heart attack. It was discovered both had undiagnosed heart disease. I am getting bit anxious. Sorry for such long post.
New to site - diagnosed hypothyroidism with hig... - Thyroid UK
New to site - diagnosed hypothyroidism with high cholesterol
- TSH test
- T4 test
- Levothyroxine
- Coronary heart disease
- HDL cholesterol
- Cholesterol test
- High cholesterol
- Statins
You're right on both counts: not wanting to go on statins, and a connection between hypothyroidism and high cholesterol. More precisely, low T3. But it's rare for a doctor to know that.
Cholesterol is not a problem in itself. Just an indication that there is a problem, somewhere. It does not cause heart attacks or strokes. So, absolutely no reason for you to take statins if you don't want to - and why would you! I would imagine that you've never had your FT3 tested - not by the doctor, anyway. So, that's what he should be concentrating on, not your cholesterol.
articles.mercola.com/sites/...
spacedoc.com/articles/50-fa...
Thanks for those links. I was aware of some of the stuff about cholesterol but those articles are very helpful. What a scam by the drug companies.
I am not medically qualified and there are others on this forum who are better informed but two things stand out to me. High cholesterol is often present in people with hypothyroidism, particularly when they are under medicated and your high Tsh indicates that you are under medicated. Heart and thyroid problems are sometimes connected.
I totally agree with GG about not wishing to take Statins and the importance of getting a T3 test.
JackyGT
With a current TSH of 23.6 you are undermedicated. What was your "normal" FT4? Can you post the result with it's reference range because with such a high TSH I expect your FT4 is very low in it's range. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their reference ranges, if that is where you feel well.
Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested? Going from being OK with slight variations in your dose over 20 years, I'm wondering if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) which is indicated by raised antibodies. Hashi's causes fluctuations in test results and symptoms and they can swing from hypo to "hyper" with Hashi's activity. If not already tested then ask for Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies to be tested. You may only get TPO done at primary level.
My Free T4 level was 11.0 pmol/L. The ref range is shown as (9.0 - 19.0)
No I have never had any thyroid antibodies test so should I ask for this Or should I ask for the Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) or is it the same thing?
The Thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies Test, I assume is done only if you get referred to an Endocrinologist?
Your help is much appreciated. I will google Hashimotos.
My Free T4 level was 11.0 pmol/L. The ref range is shown as (9.0 - 19.0)
So although in range and technically classed as normal, this is very low in range - 20% through the range. So you need a dose increase to reduce TSH (aiming for 1 or lower) and increase your FT4 level (aiming for upper part of range, around 3/4 of the way through is a good place for most people on thyroid replacement but we do vary as to where we need it to feel best).
When you see your GP, I'm sure he will increase your dose of Levo with that TSH but here is some information that supports a lower TSH/higher FT4:
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine (the magazine for doctors):
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l. In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l. This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l).*"
*He recently confirmed, during a public meeting, that this applies to Free T3 as well as Total T3.
You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.
TPO and Tg are the thyroid antibody tests for Hashi's. Tg may only be available when requested by an endo but you could always ask.
Also, optimal nutrient levels are needed for thyroid hormone to work properly, so you could ask for the following to be tested:
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Thanks - that’s brilliant info. Will do
I have just looked at my previous Serum TSH (the one that caused them to say I needed to reduce my Levo). It was 0.046 miu/L when their range said it should be 0.35 - 4.94
My free T4 at this time was 16.6 pmol/L. I was told to reduce my Levo from 75 to 50 which I am currently on.
They said the TSH was too low.
I am optimally medicated (T3 only) and yet I still have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Sometimes that’s just the way it is.
Clemmie
Thanks. I have watched and read several articles about cholesterol now and am of the opinion that it is not the dreadful thing that it was originally made out to be and actually it could be that higher cholesterol may be beneficial in some ways. Who sets the ‘normal/healthy??’ level anyway!
Thanks for that info. My triglyceride level was 0.4 mmol/L with the ref range 0.0 - 1.7. So hopefully that is low enough?? I think I eat a pretty good diet, almost but not quite vegetarian but I must admit I probably eat a sugary snack most days. My LDL was 5.52 mmol (1.4 - 4.0) so that’s not so great but my HDL was 2.70 mmol (0.9 - 2.1) so apparently made a ratio of 3.1 which is good according to my GP. I was pleasantly surprised when my GP made not much at all of these levels and was quite dismissive of statins. He has increased my Levo to 75 mg and says he hopes that this will make a difference to my total cholesterol level. Being tested again in a few weeks. Thanks again for help
Newly diagnosed hypothyroidism.
High cholesterol?
Uric Acid/testosterone and Vit D test results
New person, trying to understand my issue
Raised cholesterol 
