Statins and Hashimotos

[rosyG]

Hi all,

Could you let me know if you have Hashimoto's and are on statins.

I've just been discharged from hospital on statins but in the literature it says they may not suit of one have underactive thyroid. Any experience gratefully received

[greygoose]

Must be hundreds of posts about statins on here, this is some of them:

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Statins, in my opinion, are totally unnecessary, because cholesterol isn't a problem. It doesn't cause heart attacks or strokes. They're not recommended for hypos or women. If your cholesterol is high, then your FT3 is probably low. You don't need a statin, you need decent thyroid hormone replacement to raise your T3.

spacedoc.com/articles/50-fa...

[jgelliss in reply to greygoose]

The role of statins in both cognitive impairment and protection against dementia: a tale of two mechanisms

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

[rosyG in reply to jgelliss]

Thank you!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

NHS guidelines

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

What are your most recent Thyroid and vitamin blood test results and ranges

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

[rosyG in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slow dragon

My T4 was 15.5 ( 9.0-22)

TSH 0,86 (0,35-5)

Ferritin 116 ( 10-200)

I was seen at St Thomas, 2 weeks ago and had Ultra sound showing massively inflamed left Thyroid and Right possibly now shrivelled back

Thyroid anti-bodies were positive but I don't have figures or know which tests were done- presumably standard.

I have a heart arrhythmia which, until now, has happened about yearly as long as I keep my potassium into the 4 range ( 3'9 had triggered last one even though that's just in the normal range) I've felt my heart has been worse since the thyroid problem arose. On saturday I had a day time episode ( usually it's at night as it's vagal AF) and heart rate of 200 In A and E my Troponin levels were raised and I was admitted Had an angiogram yesterday and my BP was very high ( I was stressed about the test) and there were no blockages but some furring ( mild 20-30 diffuse disease in mid LAD ) other vessels ok -hence the prescription for statins ( atorvastin ) which I haven't taken yet as it say it might not be suitable for those with underactive thyroid function.

I have tried 2 meds for BP but both reduced potassium and I had atrial flutter episodes so my GP and I agreed to discontinue and I've been OK until recently I was just walking quickly when this happened on saturday so think my BP must have risen and triggered the event.

I was given spiralactone for BP yesterday as it keeps potassium but am reluctant to start it as side effects look awful! Can't get a GP appt to discuss this until next Tuesday so will try and work out how to keep BP down naturally I think things have worsened because of Thyroid problem!!

Any advice re thyroid and BP meds gracefully received.

The cardiologist I saw earlier told me to ask about why my potassium falls when I saw the Thyroid people but surgical registrar didn't know. I wonder if thyroid disfunction is causing potassium to fall? If so it started 6 years ago when arrhythmia started ( which doesn't cause the potassium fall as have looked into that)

[SilverAvocado in reply to rosyG]

These thyroid results look a bit low to me:

T4 15.5 ( 9.0-22)

TSH 0,86 (0,35-5)

Most people taking Levothyroxine will need a freeT4 high in range to give them a high enough freeT3 (I'm assuming this is freeT4, if it's not then ignore what I'm saying). Yours is just under halfway through the range, most people will feel better with it in the top quarter or so.

Unfortunately doctors tend to be very bad at treating thyroid I would suggest an increase of 25mcg straight away if you can get it.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to rosyG]

Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

FT4 looks on low side...obviously not got FT3

You need FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing

Vast majority forced to test privately

When were vitamin levels last tested?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

Is this how you do your tests?

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

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

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

About 90% of all primary 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 .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Come back with new post once you get Full test results

[rosyG in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Will ask my GP for all the tests you mention

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to rosyG]

Vast majority of patients are forced to test privately....but always try GP first

[posthinking01 in reply to rosyG]

Wow at least they are doing something for you - I went there a couple of months ago - took blood tests and sent me a letter saying I don't need to be seen again even though I was suffering symptoms with Addisons and thyroid issues. Hope you are sorted out there.

[posthinking01]

Hi there - cholesterol is needed by the adrenal glands to make adrenal hormones - therefore this need to medicate at low levels of 'high' cholesterol is somewhat unnecessary to say the least. I once worked with a young man who had white spots all over his face and he went on to explain that his family suffered with high cholesterol issues - his levels were over 200 !!! Levels of 5 etc are in my opinion just an indicator the thyroid is struggling. Years ago apparently - with the hoarse voice - hair loss etc. - this was one of the key indicators the thyroid was not happy.

[Angel_of_the_North]

There is no evidence to show that statins will increase your life by a meaningful amount (possibly by 4 days after taking them for 5 years) or stop you having a heart attack (in fact calcification of the arteries is a side effect of statins), so I wouldn't take them personally. High cholesterol is a symptom of hypothyroidism.

[rosyG]

Thank you for all your replies- if you can comment on my reply to Slow dragon I'd be grateful!!

[Angelic69]

Hi rosyG, i have hashi and was also put on statins. Doc tried all the statins available but none suited me. Statins make me very short of breathe, felt like my chest was being crushed. Also gave me an unsteady heart beat. I was constantly aware of missed and extra beats like it didn't know whether to go slower or faster.

Another doc started me on ezetimibe which at first were OK but original brand is not always available and the recently prescribed versions result in breathing issues again.

As a result i use old school approach, niacin, flax seed oil, co enzyme q10, vit c and have no side effects.

Niacin can however give itchy skin so i take small doses and will try to increase when itching stops.

If you increase your good cholesterol it will lower your bad.

Omega seed mix is good at reducing bad cholesterol too.

[rosyG]

That's very helpful Angelic Thank you

[Marymary7]

Statins are pure evil. I read the research as mentioned above but my best friends husband has been made disabled by them. His muscles are melting away dispite stopping the evil drugs a few years ago. It's called Rabdomyosis, it's a known side effect, he will soon need a wheelchair....very very sad for my friends.

[rosyG in reply to Marymary7]

thats awful- sorry to hear this