I was wondering if I could get some advice on my recent Medichecks results.
I got the well woman check to check a few things I was concerned about monitoring including my cholesterol.
My previous check last year showed my cholesterol was high but still in normal range but now my results are above normal.
This is not what I was expecting as since February I have been dieting and have lost around a stone. I feel better than I have since I was diagnosed and look much healthier. I have been following a fasting protocol of eating once a day at lunch and fasting until the following lunch time and although it sounds extreme I’ve got into a pattern and it’s working well.
I have also increased my Levo to 100mcg from 75mcg since my previous test last year.
I thought fasting long term reduced cholesterol, so what could be happening here?
Blood was taken at 8am before meds and no food since previous lunch time, so around 19 hours.
I am worried about my cholesterol and the risk associated with my heart. I have restarted taking an omega 3 fish oil every day since last week.
Abnormal Results were -
Total cholesterol 5.2 range - 0 - 5
LDL - 3.03 range 0 -3
Triglycerides - 1.85 Range - under 1.7
Interestingly my TSH was also suppressed for the first time ever at 0.12 - range 0.27 - 4.2
My T4 and T3 were similar to last year and in range so I’m not over medicated - although the notes from the doctor said he thought I might be - of course!
Any advice about what is going on with my cholesterol appreciated.
I don’t want to stop fasting as it’s really the only thing which has made a difference to my weight and his I feel since I was diagnosed.
Thanks
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Newmummy82
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Well, for a start, cholesterol levels have nothing to do with weight or diet.
Cholesterol is made in the liver - and it's made in the liver because the body needs it. Your cell walls are made of cholesterol, your sex hormones are made of cholesterol, your brain is made of cholesterol...
And, the less you consume in food, the more the liver makes, so no point in avoiding it. The more you consume, the less the liver makes because the liver tries to keep the levels steady.
However, when T3 is too low - too low for you, that is - the body cannot process cholesterol correctly, and it tends to mount up in the blood. It's not that the liver is make more - or that you're eating more - it's that the cholesterol is stuck in a sort of sanguine traffic jam, and cannot get to its destination in the body, where it's needed.
Doctors don't understand that, and have kneed jerk reactions when they see the levels, and start blabbering about statins and low-fat diets. lol When all that you really need is a decent level of FT3 - in other words, you need a doctor that treats your hypothyroidism correctly.
But, don't worry about the highish level. It does not cause heart attacks and strokes, that is a myth. And, those with higher levels of cholesterol tend to live longer.
Thanks grey Goose. Would you suggest increasing my Levo again by a little? I guess in an ideal world I would add T3 but I’m guessing that will be practically impossible to get from my doctor.
I worked out my remnant cholesterol as it says on line this is the most important number and mine worked out as too high at 32.48 with anything over 30 being a concern.
Don't worry. It's all a huge scam cooked up by Big Pharma to sell statins! They want the whole world on statins - kids as well as adults! So, they keep lowering the top of the statin range to make it look like more and more people have high cholesterol and then scare the life out of them by telling them they're going to have a heart attack. Well, if you do, it won't be from the cholesterol. It'll probably be from low T3. Hypothyroidism is one of the main causes of heart attacks. Stop worrying about it and stop reading about it - unless you want to read the blogs and books of Dr Malcolm Kendrick!
You are a poor converter, yes. But you won't get T3 from your GP. You'd have to see a T3-friendly endo.
You could increase your levo by a tiny bit, but you don't want it to go too high or your conversion will get worse, rather than better. How are your nutrient levels? Poor conversion can be caused by low nutrients.
Thanks grey goose. That’s put my mind to rest and I think I’m going to increase my Levo a little by cutting a tablet in two maybe every other day and also trying to see an endo about adding T3.
I have ordered a blue horizon DOI1 and DOI2 test hoping that if that comes back abnormal then it might give me a little more ammo to use with the endo.
My nutrient levels are generally quite good. I supplement Vid d, folate, b vit complex and Co enzyme Q10 with a vit c and zinc tablet daily.
I’ve recently traded omega 3.
I have run out of selenium and more some reason haven’t re bought any so that’s on my list today as well as I know it can help conversion.
Thanks again, hopefully I can get my T3 levels up.
I think you’ve hit the nail in the head with the T3. I’ve just worked out as percentages of T4 & T3 and T4 is 79% through range and T3 only 34% so I’m obviously not converting as well I would hope.
I guess now the question is how to source some T3?
You absolutely must get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done
Nether levothyroxine or T3 will work if vitamins are low
Are you still only on 75mcg levothyroxine?
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
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 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
Or if under medicated
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Is this how you do your tests
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Are you in the U.K.?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options and money off codes
Thanks slow dragon. The well woman test came with the full compliment of vitamins and minerals the only one which could do with a nudge is vitamin d at 74 so I’m going to increase my amount a a bit. I have also ordered a blue horizon genetic test to see if I have the faulty DOI1 and 2 genes which could give me some extra leverage when I see the endo.
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