Hypertension and under active thyroid.

[Nikkimoz]

Anyone have any info on a link between high blood pressure and under active thyroid?? Iv been on several bp meds for years, lost weight as prescribed and bp has still climbed. Currently at almost max doses. Gp seems I’m just unlucky? Iv read stuff in the past about high blood pressure and thyroid trouble just wondered if anyone had any relevant info? 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Do you always get same brand

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you have Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroid disease)

[Nikkimoz in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m currently on 175 mg levo. Was taking magnesium but got pains in my back? Not sure if related. I seem to toggle between two brands of levo from Pharmacy2U. I have been told by dr it’s Hashimotos due to me having a lump in my neck. Wasn’t told it was Hashimotos when I first was diagnosed underactive.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nikkimoz]

Which two brands of levothyroxine

Recommend getting full thyroid and vitamin testing

Come back with new post once you get results

[Nikkimoz in reply to SlowDragon]

Accord and teva are the 2 brands. Thanks il get on with that now.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nikkimoz]

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

Teva and Aristo are the only lactose free tablets

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Teva is a Marmite brand....

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

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

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

[Nikkimoz in reply to SlowDragon]

Iv not had bloods checked in over a year. Last med review was over the phone. Iv asked for further blood tests for all above as you describe but was told it’s not necessary.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nikkimoz]

Thousands of U.K. patients forced to test privately these days

Obviously just testing TSH is completely inadequate