Please help with these test results

[AnotherEmma]

On a recent visit to the doctor, my blood pressure was very high. Following a 24 hour bp monitoring, I am now on ramopril. Doctor sent me for my annual thyroid blood test and TSH came back at 4.5. She has increased my dose from 100mcg to 125. Test is to be repeated at the beginning of December. I asked for a full range of blood tests to be taken and I now have the results.

Clearly there is an issue with ferratin/iron. I've been put on tablets which I've just started. The doctor advised me to supplement vitamin D as a matter of course before these tests, which I've been doing. Is there anything else that I need to work on to get my levels to optimum rather than within the normal range? I'm sure that the blood pressure is linked to all of this, but the GP seems to think that I'm likely to be on the medication for life now. Thank you!

Serum ferratin 11 ug/L range30 – 400

Serum folate 14.8ug/lrange 3.8-9999

Serum vitamin B12 445 ng/L range 197 – 771

Serum vitamin D2 level 5 nmol/L range n/a

Serum 25-HO vit D3 level 61 nmol/L range N/A

Haemoglobin estimation 119 g/L range 120 - 150

[greygoose]

High blood pressure can be a hypo symptom - as can low nutrients. You are still hypo with a TSH of over 4. It could be that your blood pressure will come down as your thyroid hormone levels rise. Unless your doctor has a crystal ball, she cannot know that you'll need to be on BP meds for life!

[AnotherEmma in reply to greygoose]

Indeed! I suppose i’m curious as to whether anyone has actually managed to get off their BP medication and bring their BP down with correct thyroxine dose and good nutrition.

[greygoose in reply to AnotherEmma]

Well, me, for a start. Had high-ish blood pressure all my life. On and off BP medication. Didn't stick it for long because I didn't like the way it felt. Took me a long, long time to find the right type of thyroid hormone replacement, and the right dose. But, now, my blood pressure is fine.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Not sure nutrition has much to do with it, though.

[AnotherEmma in reply to greygoose]

I mean rather ensuring my iron and vitamin levels etc are optimal to ensure the thyroxine is working.

[Lesleyg13 in reply to AnotherEmma]

Hi Emma,

It's absolutely ridiculous to say you will need to be on BP medication for life, you can totally ignore that comment! I quite agree with greygoose that your BP might well normalise once you're properly medicated and you have improved your nutrient levels.

However beyond that changing my diet to low carb definitely reduced my blood pressure, see my recent post, and link to the Diet Doctor website:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

dietdoctor.com/blood-pressure

"Raised insulin levels seem to lead to the accumulation of fluid and salt in the body. This increases blood pressure. In addition, high levels of insulin can thicken the tissue around blood vessels (the so-called smooth muscle), which also may contribute to an elevated blood pressure.

Eating less carbohyrate has repeatedly been shown to decrease insulin levels and also blood pressure. Perhaps this is because a low-carbohydrate diet also tends to discourage the body from accumulating fluids, and increases the elimination of salt via urine."

Another thing to consider is do you have "White Coat Syndrome" where your BP goes higher whenever checked by a medical professional? I certainly do. Do you have a BP monitor at home? I always check mine 2 or 3 times at home before my GP appointments and give them my home readings, they are invariably lower at home and my GP is perfectly happy with that. One locum GP recently told me that even he has White Coat Syndrome!

[AnotherEmma in reply to Lesleyg13]

Thanks. I’ll check out the low carb stuff. It’s definitely not white coat syndrome in my case as I did a 24 hour ambulatory monitor and it was very high throughout. I’m relieved that it’s being managed on medication but i’d love to come off it if I can.

[AMG56 in reply to AnotherEmma]

My blood pressure is normal when I’m properly medicated. For me when it rises, along with several other symptoms, it’s a sign that I’m under medicated again. Goes back to normal once I get the levothyroxine dose right again.

[AnotherEmma in reply to AMG56]

Interesting. I think this is what has happened to me. Does it get very high?

[AMG56 in reply to AnotherEmma]

When I’m properly medicated it’s usually about 117/78 or there about. When my thyroid is “going to pot” it rises to about 140/90 or there about. I have a monitor at home as I too have white coat syndrome. Had a 24hr monitor and all was normal when I wore that and when I take my blood pressure at home. Just rises when I see the doctor. My GP is entirely convinced that there’s a link to hypothyroidism but to me it’s pretty positive evidence.

[AnotherEmma in reply to AMG56]

Hmm. Yes, i’m sure mine is linked too. I think my GP is less convinced. I think i’ll Invest in a home bp machine.

[AMG56 in reply to AnotherEmma]

My answer should have said that my GP isn’t entirely convinced about the link of high blood pressure and hypothyroidism! X