Statins and underactive Thyroid

My GP has said I should have Statin's but they keep lowering my Levothyroxin should l ask for t3 test ?

Someone said nhs recommends this is done?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Statins are NOT recommended for anyone on levothyroxine

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

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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 tested

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Presumably you have autoimmune thyroid disease as also have PA (autoimmune)

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

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.

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

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am 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 and money off codes

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

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery

Come back with new post once you get results

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much, l picked up the statin's today and for once read the leaflet enclosed so i have questioned the gp as also on fexofenadine hydrochloride for severe hives, I will ask for bloods results etc on 1.5 levo & folic acid, they are going to call me back. wonderful information.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Hives and Hashimoto’s often go together

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[Marz in reply to Hidden]

Low B12 was my issue with Hives ....

[Hidden in reply to Marz]

Could be mine as well as it was a massive outbreak just prior to jab but also looking at gluten and caffeine ! Life is complicated 🤣

[Marz in reply to Hidden]

If painful then more likely to be low B12. Do you know your level ? Yes gluten - the skin can often be a reflection of the gut 🌻

[Hidden in reply to Marz]

Hi no l don’t but l will get my blood and post l have just had a quick call from gp regarding statins and l am high 6.8 but it was not fasting and 1day after a cruise so going to try to lower without as l don’t want them and do a fasting in 3 months time family history of stroke and heart but they were both smokers and one had reumatic fever as a child . Thanks for the reply have a lovely day

[Marz in reply to Hidden]

Did you read the NHS link above ? In the first response from SlowDragon. The Thyroid should be treated before starting a Statin.

[helvella Administrator]

It's reasonable to ask for a T3 test, but probably less than likely it will be granted. Even if your GP requests it, the lab might not do it.

I think that, if you have not already done so, you should get copies of your results going back some time. Make sure you get the reference intervals (ranges). That gives you and us somewhere to start from.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Thank you and Slow Dragon for your replies

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Will do this thank you, yes its Hasimotoes

[shaws Administrator]

The more we read about 'symptoms' we find that few - if any - doctor

is aware of how to diagnose/treat patients who have a dysfunctional thyroid gland.

This is an excerpt from the following link:-

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.

Read more about the side effects of statins.

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Yes thank you

[humanbean]

I just wanted to point out that your doctor cannot force you to take statins - or any other drug - if you don't want to.

Several years ago I told my doctor that I didn't want to take statins, nor did I want my cholesterol measured. The subject hasn't been raised since.