Had my bloods done last week .
Got a letter to ring my g.p.to discuss the results.i already no it will be to put me on statin.thay say it to prevent heart trouble.i try them once and omg.my stomach was in bits .constantly farming.i have refused them twice now .
My cholesterol were bad .one doc said then another said its not the bad cholesterol. Do any of you take them .
High cholesterol suggests your thyroid is inadequately treated
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.
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine
Which brand
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
As per previous post you need all four vitamins tested and full thyroid testing
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
Link re access
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
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
Just testing TSH is completely inadequate
Looking at first post .....are you really still only on 50mcg levothyroxine
This is only a starter dose
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after EACH Dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
Dose is increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until TSH is always under 2
Most people when adequately treated will have TSH well under one
guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight
Even if we frequently don’t start on full replacement dose, most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until on, or near full replacement dose
NICE guidelines on full replacement dose
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...
1.3.6
Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.
Also here
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...
gp-update.co.uk/Latest-Upda...
Traditionally we have tended to start patients on a low dose of levothyroxine and titrate it up over a period of months. RCT evidence suggests that for the majority of patients this is not necessary and may waste resources.
For patients aged >60y or with ischaemic heart disease, start levothyroxine at 25–50μg daily and titrate up every 3 to 6 weeks as tolerated.
For ALL other patients start at full replacement dose. For most this will equate to 1.6 μg/kg/day (approximately 100μg for a 60kg woman and 125μg for a 75kg man).
If you are starting treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, this article advises starting at a dose close to the full treatment dose on the basis that it is difficult to assess symptom response unless a therapeutic dose has been trialled.
BMJ also clear on dose required
SlowDragon has given a response that is correct but many doctors seem to be completely unaware of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and may prescribe different medications for symptoms despite the fact that taking thyroid hormone replacements will reduce higher cholesterol level automatically as well as relieving symptoms.
Unfortunately, GPs seem to be so badly trained that they seem to know nothing except the TSH. They don't know any clinical symptoms of a dysfunctional thyroid gland so prescribe 'other' medications instead of making sure our thyroid gland has the proper dose of medication.
I have found since being diagnosed that the majority of doctors are poorly trained in dysfunctions of the thyroid gland. They are apt to only take notice of a TSH and ignore everything else despite our whole body being affected if we're hypo.
I am thankful to Thyroiduk otherwise I would have remained undiagnosed.
I hope you resolve all of your clinical symptoms as they normally resolve as our thyroid hormones (levothyroxine usually) is inreased.
So if, for example you weigh 10 stone that’s approx 63 kilo
63 x 1.6 = 100mcg as the likely daily dose levothyroxine to require
Dose levothyroxine is increased SLOWLY Upwards In 25mcg steps, retesting bloods 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
So rather than taking statins.....your cholesterol should drop once on correct dose levothyroxine
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
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
But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)
Are you currently taking Teva?
Teva, Aristo and Glenmark are the only lactose free tablets
Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord
Note Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but beware 25mcg Northstar is Teva
List of different brands available in U.K.
thyroiduk.org/medications-f...
Teva poll
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
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.
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).
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
verywellhealth.com/best-tim...
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
Likely to have low vitamin levels if been left on just 50mcg levothyroxine for a year
Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 as per guidelines
Statins
Statins
CHOLESTEROL AND STATINS
Hypothyroidism and Statins
