Help with these results please. I have Hashimoto’s, been unwell for many years. Now on alternate 50mcg/75mcg Levothyroxine. Cholesterol has gone back up again, Endo wanted familial hyperlipidemia test as not overweight and have good diet, can’t go owing to carona. My doc said statins May be a problem for me as react to some drugs, don’t know what to do. Not sure if Levo doing me any good or whether T 3 needed although Endo not willing.
Any advice?
Thanks
Your B12 is slightly over-range, but the top of the range is rather low. Are you supplementing B12?
Your conversion isn't the best I've ever seen, but conter-intuitively, it might improve a bit if you lowered your dose of levo. Because less would be converted to rT3. But, as you have Hashi's, levels can change rapidly, anyway. However, at the moment, it looks like your body thinks your FT3 is too low, because your cholesterol has risen.
Endo wanted familial hyperlipidemia test as not overweight and have good diet
Cholesterol levels have nothing to do with how much you weigh, not with your diet. Eating cholesterol does not raise your levels, and eating fat certainly doesn't! Cholesterol is made in the liver, not acquired through diet. And, you don't want statins, because they're not recommended for women, and they're not recommended for hypos. Taking statins will lower your sex hormones, and as you're already hormonally challenged, that would be a very bad idea. So, best not to agree to take them. High cholesterol doesn't cause strokes or heart attacks, anyway. 
Thanks. Yes I was supplementing B12, but stopped s while ago. The only problem with reducing levo is that for many years I was on 25mcg and it’s taken a lot of persuasion to get up to 50 then 75 after which I reduced to ‘in between the two’ because I was getting chest pain. I am confused as on low dose I am unwell and because of long time of either no treatment or low dose my body is wracked with pain etc. I just can’t win either way. Three years ago after GP told me to stop my levo I became very sick and with help on here I found an Endo in another city who put me back on 50 gradually, then 75. I just need to feel better and help my body to heal. I struggle with gut issues and had a benign tumour removed from nerve sheath to the spine two years ago. I thought I had been on the right path since then but now feel worse off in many respects.
I learnt on here that high cholesterol can be linked with hypothyroidism and or Hashimoto’s and my Endo said it can be but he wanted to know if it’s a hereditary factor. Changing my diet made a slight difference to cholesterol level with bit more exercise although I am quite active anyway when feeling ok, have to sit every do often though because of pain though. But then it went back up again.
So if cholesterol is not caused through diet and if it isn’t familial then does that mean being hypo is the cause? I don’t want to take statins but I also do not want high cholesterol which historically has been said to contribute to heart health. My Mum took statins and lived until she was 88, she was always overweight too.
It seems like I’m stuck with being unwell whatever I do.
Thanks again.
I learnt on here that high cholesterol can be linked with hypothyroidism and or Hashimoto’s and my Endo said it can be but he wanted to know if it’s a hereditary factor.
High cholesterol is linked to low T3. As I'm sure you know, T3 is the active hormone that does all the work. If it is low, the body cannot process cholesterol, so it mounts up in the blood. That does not mean that the body is making more, it just means that it is using and eliminating less. Just goes to show how much your endo knows!
As I said, cholesterol is made in the body, and not ingested. The more you ingest, the less the liver makes; the less you ingest, the more the liver makes. But, there's not an awful lot of difference.
This hereditary business is a bit of a red herring. Yes, high cholesterol can be hereditary, but so can Hashi's. So, how would he know which was the problem in your family? What sort of a test does he want to do? I didn't know there was one. I wouldn't have thought yours was high enough to be hereditary. But, in any case, you still don't want to take statins. They could cause far more problems than they resolve.
Thanks, GP has just called this morning because my results say speak to GP. She wanted to reduce my levo, but as I said above, going backwards after being ill for so many years on a low dose or none, I feel like I haven’t achieved anything by being pro active with GP etc and finding an Endo two years ago etc.
She didn’t mentioned cholesterol, so I pointed out that it had increased again and she said I need to take statin! There just doesn’t seem to be definite guidelines with hypo or cholesterol, which leaves me feeling confused and deflated after trying everything possible to get well for so long. So is my high cholesterol linked to low T3? Do I need a combo?
Endo does seem to understand that high cholesterol can be related to hypo.
I also don’t understand how statins can be so bad when people I know have believed the same and almost died with a stroke and now take them religiously and regret not listening to their GP.
It’s all so confusing, I just don’t feel it’s possible for me ever to feel well and I despair with deciding what meds to take and what dose.
My gut is all over the place and causes problems all the time, despite trying all kinds. GP just says IBS and regarding pain she says fibromyalgia! I have awful debilitating migraines too.
Sorry, just feeling very confused.
I also don’t understand how statins can be so bad when people I know have believed the same and almost died with a stroke and now take them religiously and regret not listening to their GP.
If they had a stroke, it wasn't due to cholesterol, because cholesterol doesn't cause strokes. I think you should do some of your own research on cholesterol and statins. Here's an article to start you off:
spacedoc.com/articles/50-fa...
I would also suggest you read Dr Malcolm Kendrick's blog
drmalcolmkendrick.org/2019/...
and his book 'The Great Cholesterol Con'.
But, if you want a personal story, how about this one from a very close friend:
He was prescribed statins by his doctor but didn't feel well on them. He developed diabetes - which is a well-known side-effect of statins. I talked to him about cholesterol and statins and explained why he shouldn't be taking them, and eventually, he agree to give them up. When his doctor found out, he had a hissy fit, and bullied my friend into taking them again, with all sorts of - entirely unfounded - horror stories. So, my friend started taking them again. And, the upshot was that he developed prostate cancer. He's now 80 and has been struggling with this cancer for the last 7 years of his life, changing a once super-active man into an invalide.
Why did statins cause his prostate cancer? Because prostate cancer - like breast cancer - is a hormone dependant cancer. Good levels of testosterone protect men from developing it. Taking statins lowers testosterone, because you need good levels of cholesterol to make testosterone. With breast cancer, you are protected by good levels of progesterone, but statins will lower that, too. So, you will be in danger of developing breast cancer. Not to mention all the other symptoms of low sex hormones, and the leg pains, and all the other statin side-effects. Sorry if that sounds like a horror story, but it's the truth.
So, why did the doctor tell my friend horror stories to convince him to take the statins? After all, doctors are supposed to 'do no harm'. Ah, yes, well, do no harm as long as that doesn't involve you losing money! And, prescribing statins actually brings in money - financial incentives - so to hell with the patient, let's go with the money!
It’s all so confusing, I just don’t feel it’s possible for me ever to feel well and I despair with deciding what meds to take and what dose.
You could be well if you found a doctor that actually knew something about thyroid. Unfortunately, none of them do. So, you need to learn about it yourself. Like the rest of us on here have done. You cannot just rely on your doctor to have your best interests at heart. For one thing, she just doesn't have the knowledge. For another, she's scared of losing her job. And, for another, there's no profit to treating thyroid correctly.
My gut is all over the place and causes problems all the time, despite trying all kinds. GP just says IBS and regarding pain she says fibromyalgia! I have awful debilitating migraines too.
All symptoms of low thyroid. But, your GP wouldn't know that. Nor does she particularly care, I don't suppose. It's much easier to just blame everything on made-up diseases like fibro and IBS, for which there are not cures, no treatments and not even a test to prove you do or you don't have it. Then, she can just wash her hands of you with a clear conscience.
She wanted to reduce my levo
Of course she does. Because your TSH is below range. And, she's been told to keep the TSH in range, no matter how bad you feel. And, if you asked her why, she'd just say she was 'following guidelines' - because there are guidelines. Have a look here:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Scroll down to helvella's comments.
But, as I said above, reducing your levo just slightly could help - but not for the reasons she thinks! When your FT4 gets to a certain level, it starts converting to more rT3 than T3, so your FT3 drops. If you reduce the levo slightly, conversion to T3 could improve. Surely worth a try. Levo is not going to help you unless it's converted into T3.
Ideally, a comb would be better, of course. But, in the present climate, that's not going to happen easily. Something to work on, but in the meantime, why not try a slight reduction - say 50/75 on alternate days. But, do it without your GP's knowledge! The last thing you want is her changing your prescription, in case you need to go up again.
Yes that’s the dose I’ve been on since summer last year 50/75. And I did it without her knowledge.
I have read many books and articles suggested on here.
My Mum was on statins for nearly 50 years and never had breast cancer.
Well, not everybody gets it, but statins increase the risk. I didn't realise statins had been around for 50 years!
OK, so 50/75 mcg takes your FT4 over-range? Try 50 mcg, then. See if you feel better on that.
Sorry that was supposed to be 30 years.
I was on 50 for a long period after being on 25 for years. No it didn’t make me feel better, hence my dilemma.
Even 30 years surprises me. I thought they were quite a new thing. Is your mother hypo?
OK, so if being on 50 doesn't help, then maybe you do need to try and source some T3.
Can't remember if you've got results for nutrient testing: vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin.
Well she was around my age early 60’s so that would be 30 years ago. She died 2015 aged 88, no idea if she was hypo, never had meds but doubt if docs tested her at all. Yes all other tests vitamin D, B12, folate and Ferritin are as above.
Well, they all appear to be ok. How about cortisol?
Last cortisol was end of 2017 166 nmol/L
That sounds quite low - although can't really tell without a range. What are you doing to look after your adrenals?
No range given unfortunately. What can I do to support them? I’ve read a lot of information over time, a lot of it conflicting, but still not sure what else to try anymore.
Adrenals need plenty of B vits, vit C and salt - have you heard of the adrenal cocktail? They need a high protein breakfast as soon as you get up. And, plenty of rest. And, most difficult, as little stress as possible. Some people also find that an adrenal support, like Adrenavive, can help.
Thanks. I take b complex and vitamin B12 spray but stopped that now as mines over range and is always good anyway as is my iron without supplements although I have taken it, but chronic constipation is a problem. Also high dose vitamin D in spray 3000 iu. Vitamin C occasionally, as I have lots of veg and some fruit. I have porridge for b fast made with milk every morning and toast. Stress is a problem for me. I struggle taking tablets so supplements are a problem when I can’t get a spray which are expensive. No not heard of cocktail. By salt do you mean cooked in food? Where can I get Adrenavive?
It's good to take a B complex as a maintenance dose for B12 - and other B vits - so that the levels don't drop again. And, especially as adrenals need lots of B vits. Vit C should be taken every day - at least 1000 mg. If you don't like taking tablets, get it in powder form and make a drink. Just eating veg and some fruit won't give you nearly enough vit C.
Your breakfast doesn't sound very high protein. Can't you add a couple of eggs, or some cheese, or something?
By salt I mean salt in any way, either in cooking or in an adrenal cocktail, or sprinkled on your food. Sea salt, not table salt. Or pink Himalayan.
The adrenal cocktail is a glass of orange juice with half a tsp salt and half a tsp cream of tartar. That's the basic recipe, there are others if you google them.
I've never bought Adrenavive myself, but you could try googling it.
If you scroll down to underactive thyroid here:-
nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...
It says that treatment for hypo decreases cholesterol and therefore treatment for cholesterol may not be required, however for me my cholesterol has been going up despite increasing thyroxine in the first place, and now higher after lowering thyroxine slightly, so surely lowering it further will make cholesterol increase further?
It has nothing to do with thyroxine. High cholesterol is linked to T3, not T4, so if you don't convert very well, your T3 is not going to get high enough to lower the cholesterol. I suggested lowering your levo to try and improve your conversion, and thus raise your T3.
Should you ever manage to get your hands on T3, I bet your cholesterol would drop amazingly. When I over-medicated on T3, my cholesterol went down to practically zero, causing the lab to warn about heart-attacks - because, you're at far greater risk of a heart attack with low cholesterol than you are with high cholesterol.
And, there's no reason why you should lower your cholesterol, anyway, it's not going to kill you. Those with high cholesterol live longer! It's just Big Pharma wants you to be scared of high cholesterol so that it can make pots of money out of selling statins! Don't be duped. Do your own research.
Help with results please
Help with results please
Help with blood results please 
Urgent help with results please 
Help understanding blood tests results please. 
