Hello everyone, my doctor wants to put me on statins due to my high level of cholesterol. However, I have read a fascinating article by Thyroid U.K. about the link between an under-active thyroid and high cholesterol - and I wonder if, by raising my level of T3, my cholesterol could be lowered.
From the article, “ If you have an under active thyroid, your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, particularly the T3 hormone(which stimulates the breakdown of cholesterol (lipolysis) and increases the number of LDL (bad cholesterol) receptors) so your body can’t break down and remove LDL cholesterol properly. This can lead to a build-up of LDL in the circulatory system. “
My daily Levothyroxine dose is 75 mcg, down from 75/ 100 mcg on alternate days earlier this year. In the test results, I notice it says, TSH is ‘below range’...
I have been very impressed by the level of understanding on this forum: it has helped me to understand my own condition more fully. If you can help me with suggestions as to my next step, I will be enormously grateful.
Many thanks in advance...
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ArtySally
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As you are taking thyroid hormone replacements now, your TSH should slowly reduce.
The last thing we want prescribed is statins.
Many GPs seem to have had the same training, i.e. seem to have missed out of dysfunctional thyroid glands and the symptoms that can arise..
They are apt to 'prescribe for a symptom' instead of prescribing for the disease.
The following is an extract and it never surprises me that GPs know next to nothing with regard to symptoms of hypothyroidism:-
Extract:
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.
Shaws, I could hug you! Thank you so much for that. Was at a very annoying GP appointment two days ago with partner's mum - she has had significant reactions to statins in the past, and had a 'borderline' thyroid test 10 years ago which no-one will produce (yet!), heaps of symptoms over the years, yet they have put her on them again and memory is now going so she doesn't remember all of the above. Trying to persuade her to let me do a thyroid test privately for her but she thinks her GP is perfection personified and I want to weep. I will persevere x
Once-upon-a-time doctors knew all clinical symptoms and we got a trial of NDTs.
Now - they know none at all and are apt to prescribe something for the 'symptom' rather than checking FT4 and FT3 etc.
We have to educate doctors who haven't a clue about any clinical symptoms. I would imagine there are thousands of patients on antidepressants due to them going to the GP too often.
Another of my GPs phoned to tell me that my TSH was too low, T3 too high and T4 too low.
I said I know my TSH is low and it should be as I take T3 only.. T4 is low because I take none.
He responded "but T3 converts to T4! "No doctor that's untrue, T4 converts to T3!
I assume that doctor's prescription was to reduce 'high cholesterol'? It's ridiculous.
So true, but still depressing. And they are so certain that they do know, and we don't. If she was my GP I'd have moved on years ago but in this case gentle education seems to be all I can do. We got the 'if you stop the statin you will likely die from a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years' so frightened patient into continuing the statin. And still only testing TSH, ignoring symptoms.
Beggars belief Shaws but what is really awful is am not surprised at all......the ignorance of GPs (and consultants) of hypothyroidism knows no bounds which in turn causes long term patient neglect, suffering and horrible consequences which are quickly washed away by the medical world.........would not do to become aware! In all honesty it is medical negligence. It may only change if someone manages to sue them that they will finally sit up and start taking responsibilty and treating patients appropriately. I used to have a quiet reverence towards Doctors......20years of hypothyroidism has changed that - instead am filled me with dread at the prospect of having to deal with them ......& scary is the number of times I have had to pick them up over their ignorance and incompetancy.
The very sad fact is that I know of one woman who foretold of her demise as she could no longer carry on struggling with hypothyroidism.
I'm sure there have been others especially if they have no resource like this forum and many do not have internet connection either.
I think you know that my doctor phoned to tell me that there was no reason to worry as blood test was fine - TSH was 100. I cried as I had no idea what TSH stood for.
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 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)
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)
Is this how you did your test?
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Many people find different brands are not interchangeable
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
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. Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet
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.
you have you been on levo since 1998 ? why was your dose reduced earlier this year ?
... was it due to symptoms of overmedication , or were you well and it was just reduced due to blood results ?
.... if so what were they ?
The TSH is only a little under range, not enough to bother them while fT4 is in range, but being below range will make it harder to persuade them to increase levo .
Of course your doctor wants to put you on statins! They get financial insentives to prescribe them. And, they simply ignore the fact that statins are not recommended for women, nor for hypos. Actually, they probably don't even know the connection between high cholesterol and low T3. But, just because he wants to prescribe them for you, doesn't mean you have to take them.
Trouble with Statins is like one of those Bad pay day loans with buy now pay later ok at first but then 6.12.24 months it's "Pay" plus compounding interest! as the effects of statins have to be paid back with many other issues not to mention hormone issues and lack of libido!
But it's fine the Quacks getting there £60 plus kick backs
Getting the correct dose of thyroid replacement is crucial as under active thyroid promotes higher cholesterol levels, and they may come down when test results are optimal. Another thing to research is Niacin Vitamin B3 , there are good studies showing that niacin can boost levels of good HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides. Niacin also modestly lowers bad LDL cholesterol. Howeer do research it and how to take it because it causes flushes,these can be reduced by taking it with food etc.
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