Low blood pressure on Levo

[Kerryelaine100]

Just wondering if any of you have experienced low blood pressure to a point of feeling cold and sweaty and nearly fainting while on levothyroxine ?? Many thanks xxxx

[buddy99]

I experience this when my dose is too low. Has the low blood pressure issue started for you when going on levo? The human body is so complex. It could be the levo or the lack of thyroid hormone or anything else for that matter. I guess that was not helpful. It's definitely worth finding out what causes this. Good luck.

[Imaaan]

Low blood pressure is a symptom of hypothyroidism. I have it as well and the lowest I've been is in the 70s/ 50s. I haven't experienced feeling cold and sweaty but rather an overall weakness, a racing heart,dizziness and the occasional chest pain. Hopefully your levels improve.

[buddy99 in reply to Imaaan]

Once upon a time when my dose was lowered (once again against my protest) my BP went as low as yours, whereupon the GP suggested to call an ambulance when the BP goes below 90. That would have been an almost daily event. I could have gotten a subscription for daily ambulance service. The doc, however, insisted that it had nothing to do with thyroid hormones since my TSH was fine. I have had Hashimoto's for over 40 years and have experienced this issue every single time before I was diagnosed and when my dose was lowered. But what do I know. I'm not a doctor. Sigh!

[Imaaan in reply to buddy99]

Sorry to hear you had to go through that. Dealing with doctors is a pain. I find it odd that they have such a hard time connecting the dots. Sigh.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Imaaan]

For supposedly intelligent people they seem utterly blinded by “guidelines” and seem unable to think for themselves

[Imaaan in reply to SlowDragon]

Absolutely. I had a cardiologist once say to me that my middle of the night tachycardia of 120 bpm shown by wearing a holter monitor whilst sleeping was just the way my body was programmed. I never had it growing up and it started in my early 30s plus I have sleep apnea and haven't been able to tolerate cpap. I replied that it was something new and I hadn't had it in the past so how could it be the way my body is wired???Plus sleep apnea can cause heart arrhythmia and heart complications if not addressed. He just chalked it up to it's just the way your body is and offered a beta blocker.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Imaaan]

I had an endocrinologist say I was over medicated….resting heart rate was 48-52 (and no I am definitely not an athlete!)

[Imaaan in reply to SlowDragon]

The whole system needs an overhaul for sure.

[buddy99 in reply to Imaaan]

Not only are they not connecting the dots they completely fail to connect with the patient (or their medical records).

I'm so jaded I take everything in stride and do my best to help myself.

[Imaaan in reply to buddy99]

That's the story of so many unfortunately but the silver lining is that there is hope in empowering ourselves.

[Kerryelaine100 in reply to Imaaan]

This IS me trying to join the dots 😂 I take 25 mg levo and my I have cold sweats like I’m going to die or something… I don’t know if it’s a panic attack or what. I knew you guys would be able to help me more than my doc xx

[Imaaan in reply to Kerryelaine100]

Hope you're able to resolve your blood pressure issues and improve your overall health

[Kerryelaine100 in reply to Imaaan]

I only get the low blood pressure when I take levo … like panic attack! I get really cold sweats like I’m going to pass out …. Thanks for helping though xxx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low pressure is hypothyroid symptom

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

How long on this dose

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Please add most recent thyroid and vitamin results and ranges if you have them

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low vitamin levels common as we get older too or when under medicated

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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

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

List of private testing options

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Ord’s is autoimmune without goitre.

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry to butt in SD. My BP tends to be low although my thyroid and vitamin levels are optimal.

I’ve always though that low cortisol causes mine - but I suppose that you’d say that low cortisol causes hypo symptoms.

It’s very annoying when bloods look ok and I don’t think I am.

Thank you 🤩

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Or you could say low cortisol is due to being inadequately treated for thyroid ….especially if Ft3 is low

It’s all chicken and egg

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

It’s certainly no yolk 😜😜

[Imaaan]

Forgot to mention you can try sole(1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Himalayan salt in water) to help raise your blood pressure levels.

[radd]

Kerryelaine100

Welcome to our forum,

Low BP can be due to low adrenal reserves when good adrenal function becomes compromised through years of supporting inadequate thyroid hormone levels.

Aldosterone (adrenal hormone) helps maintain salt/water levels which regulates blood pressure. It only needs to become a little low in range for the kidneys to lose a little too much salt and when this is ongoing symptoms such as thirst, lightheaded-ness & low BP will be felt.

As Imaaan has suggested taking additional salt can help as balances sodium/potassium and in turn BP levels. Cold sweats & panic attacks can be due to adrenaline release when low cortisol prevents adrenals from keeping up with the increased metabolism created by Levothyroxine.

You may benefit from an adrenal glandular such as Nutri, or an adaptogen to encourage improved cortisol production/usage. Are your thyroid hormones optimised? Do you have adequate iron & nutrient levels?