thanks to those who replied to my question the other day about my gp wanting to reduce my meds (I have no thyroid following removal along with neck dissection due to papillary thyroid cancer). I that issue is resolved for now but I realised I am poorly informed about thyroid function tests and interactions with other things. I have become a member of thyroid uk which gives me access to this forum but I would like to be able to learn for myself just at a loss where to start - any signposting would be appreciated.
Another question is there an inter relationship with cholesterol? Mine has always been high (told to take benecol). I have completely overhauled my life since my cancer diagnosis but my cholesterol has gone through the roof. At a bit of an impasse with GP at the moment as I have refused satins - I have never taken medications -always managed anything naturally (have been lucky I was even able to do for the births of my 4 children) so have to taking levothyroxine is a bit of a shock.
I have been referred to a programme at Barts starting in September for Familial Hypercholesterolemia as my brother has high cholesterol but I am not totally convinced there isn’t a connection with my thyroid issues. I had apparently had thyroiditis but it was only picked up after my op. Looking at the symptoms I think & my gp advised that it was menopause related but I know don’t think so as things have improved.
Hopefully I can educate myself and know what I should be asking and what to do before tests. Only from this forum have I learnt to have a 24 hour gap before blood tests - I popped my pills and trotted along an hour later!
Any sign posting would be helpful for where to obtain information and what to ask for in a private blood test - do I need to explain I don’t have a thyroid?
Thank you & Hope everyone is enjoying the bank holiday weekend.
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Thanks for both replies. I did ask my gp about the connection about high cholesterol and thyroid but he said it wasn’t - my logic tells me it is as nothing else has changed.
I am not petite but I am not tall - I am 5’ 2” and now weigh 10st which is just at the upper boundary of an acceptable bmi (I have worked really hard on dietary changes with a cancer nutrionalist since my op). I was 11st 6lbs at the time of my but lost 6lbs in my 6 days in hospital and the rest is via change in diet and strength based exercise coupled with walking daily.
I will book some private bloods - will a NHS GP accept these?
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning, ideally just before 9am on empty stomach……just water between waking and test …….and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
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.
Please reread my first reply to you found on the link SDragon has already given to you above.
I use Medichecks and order an Advanced Thyroid Function Blood Test, which is a venous blood draw, and arrange, for an additional charge, a nurse Home Visit through Medichecks.
I believe between them, Medichecks and Blue Horizon now cover the country offering a nurse home visit service which I find the least stressful way to get my now, yearly full thyroid function blood test, as I am self medicating.
Once with the results simply start a new post with both the results and ranges and you will be given considered opinion on your next best steps back to better health.
Another question is there an inter relationship with cholesterol?
Yes, there is a relationship between thyroid hormone levels and cholesterol level. Too low a level of Free T3 (the active thyroid hormone) will mean that your liver can't clear excess cholesterol very well and so levels of cholesterol rise.
There was a time, many decades ago, before thyroid function tests were invented, when doctors would use high cholesterol as an indicator that the patient had thyroid disease and would then treat the thyroid accordingly.
Please note that statins are not recommended (by the NHS !!!) for people with hypothyroidism.
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.
Even if you can tolerate statins they are pointless for women.
The relationship between hypothyroidism and cholesterol levels has been known for a very long time, but modern doctors are just trained to dish out statins. They have not been taught about the connection with the thyroid :
Title : Blood Cholesterol Values in Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism — Their Significance
Doctors blame puberty for health problems in women.
Then periods.
Then pregnancy.
Then "you've just been pregnant, what do you expect?"
Then "you've got young children, what do you expect?"
Then "you're approaching menopause".
Then "menopause"
Then "you're post menopausal, what do you expect"?
Then "you're getting old, what do you expect?"
Interspersed with all of these there is one constant throughout the years :
Doctor tells you that you are anxious and/or depressed (even when you aren't), here, take this anti-depressant.
The one common thing in medicine, as far as it relates to women, is that a doctor will rarely actually cure anything because [sarcasm] they (women) never have anything wrong with them they are all just mentally ill.
humanbean this is fab piece! About two years before I was diagnosed (and about two years after my bloods came back TSH 18 and not informed) to my shame (it was made a humiliating experience by the GP) I pleaded for anti-depressants as I could not think of anything else that could possibly be wrong with me, other than perhaps fibromyalgia which I knew was a useless diagnosis (no help would be forthcoming for that). Lovely husband, nice home, healthy daughters and granddaughters, finished my Masters with distinction, which I struggled with physically etc etc. Uni was kind enough to allocate me a disabled parking space - will never forget that simple act of kindness. I cried. It made the whole thing possible (in my experience of the last few years this was overwhelming kindness). I was enticed to do a PhD which I thought seriously about and realised I had no further stamina. NOW I have a distinct diagnosis of hypothyroidism, medics just can’t get the treatment correct. They want me to take surprise, surprise, anti depressants and statins. I know for sure my story is far from unique.
Yesterday I heard a comment from the Co-deputy chair of the BMA (I think) rattling on about doctors getting paid properly (re strike action) and how this would be paid back fourfold (I think) into the NHS and knock-on to the nation. So they have cottoned on to their ‘worth’. We have precisely the same argument brought about solely by their utter lack of being able to do their job!
It is your doctor who should feel shame, not you. Left to rot with a TSH of 18? That is really appalling but I suspect, really quite common.
I was enticed to do a PhD which I thought seriously about and realised I had no further stamina.
Me too. The supervisor for my Master's thesis encouraged me to do a PhD but I just didn't have the stamina - or the interest or the motivation to be honest. Apathy has reigned supreme throughout a lot of my life.
As for anti-depressants, doctors put me on valium (aka diazepam) in the 70s and then in the 90s /early 2000s put me on four different SSRIs (not all at the same time). None of these worked to make me feel better because they were treating the wrong problem.
humanbean I always write too much. I think I have had to hold on to ‘it’for soooo long. I appreciate you replying and I won’t say more about me. I can see you totally get it. So much (dare I say) waste in our lives and any contribution that we could have made. I was thinking about what was missing from your list - if anything. “It’s your weight.” What woman has not been blamed for this, either by outsiders/medics or most often one’s self? Yes “treating the wrong problem”!!
thank you sadly very relatable - not just with my thyroid but with friends and family fobbed off with things by their gp. Bowel cancer in my aunt - was told she was gluten intolerant so to go away and remove gluton from her diet - her cancer killed her and spread rapidly, her sister,my mum, was told she had piles but was bowel cancer, she is still here.
I am so sorry for everything you have been through - I am learning I have to be the expert, I cannot look to the experts to guide me & have my best interests at heart. I have think I been very naive to expect the experts to provide advice and guidance.
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