BP lower when standing

[TiggerMe]

Does anyone else find this?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I've had this for years, it's part of dysautonomia - disregulation of the autonomic nervous system. The name for it is orthostatic hypotension. Hypothyroidism is listed as a cause.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[TiggerMe in reply to Jaydee1507]

Does your GP actually take any notice or still just takes your BP whilst sitting?

Our surgery has a new toy in the waiting room which does height, weight, pulse and BP.

First try with the nurse watching it came up with an error and then 96/66 pulse 75 she laughed and said oh I'll do it properly... sitting with questions being fired at me 129/79 pulse 78 so that's what's on my notes, did it a couple more times on leaving and much the same as the original reading!

I remember my Dad being given BP tablets after an operation and then next thing falling on his face a couple of times... turns out when he stood up it was too low and he blacked out

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to TiggerMe]

Years ago along with my hypo symptoms of depression & anxiety just about all other symptoms were put down to psychological. Since Covid has come along and so many with Long Covid there is generally much better understanding of such things. You might need to spoon feed your nurse or doctor and explain the issues you're having with standing up to get them to respond appropriately though.

As far as heredity goes, I think I remember you saying your sister was hypermobile although you aren't? It's a pretty common issue for people with connective tissue issues such as hypermobility spectrum disorder or ehlers danlos syndrome such as I have and that is a hereditary thing. Contrary to popular belief you may present with perhaps just one more bendy joint than others and not all or most.

Can recommend gentle exercise and upping salt intake which may help as a basic first step other than getting your thyroid levels optimal etc.

[TiggerMe]

Excellent memory skills! Yep, bendy Sister.... I'm tightly strung all over. I have been upping my salt to aid adrenals so I might add an extra pinch 🤗

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to TiggerMe]

If you have low blood pressure anyway then extra salt is fine. Also stay well hydrated, be sure to have a glass of water ont he go as much as possible.

[Alanna012]

Yes, I do along with thumping heart and heavy breathing. I read it was a sign of low cortisol - which mine is very low. It is also a feature of Addison's if I remember correctly. Which I don't think I have, just below average cortisol levels.

Taking levothyroxine makes it very much worse,l for me, hence the low cortisol link as levo requires more cortisol than my adrenals can cope with making.

[TiggerMe in reply to Alanna012]

Interesting, yes my cortisol is low noon and night, they say to make the most of your T3/T4 take it at the time your cortisol is at it's highest? I used to just have one dose in the mornings when mine turns out is at its highest.... I might revert to that again now I know where I'm at 🤗