This is my take on things - my personal experience and that of people I have met, known and loved (family members).
If you are being pushed to take statins I would advise people to read up and consider risks before deciding to go on statins.. AND IT IS your decision. There’s loads of literature, scientific papers etc. Make an informed choice. Working with the public, I find people tell me stuff they would not necessarily tell others.
In this guide it clearly states that an underactive thyroid can lead to elevated cholesterol – when adequately treated with thyroid medication, the level usually drops.
Below is an extract from NHS guidelines regarding Statins ‘considerations’. I have, anecdotally and directly, heard of these side effects in people diagnosed and undiagnosed with hypothyroidism.
For me personally the issue is people are frequently already being treated with statins long before a diagnosis of hypothyroidism has ever been made. I have also come across several people who are representative of a fairly sizeable proportion of society who, having faith in doctors, submit to medication, get side effects and just think that it is just the way things are and the side effects are better than not being on the medication at all…
One person who was experiencing loss of mobility in both legs was thankfully identified in time by another doctor during an out of office meeting. Their intervention and warning to stop taking the statins straight away managed to save the function in one of his legs, but the other leg never recovered. Only now is the possibility of underlying hypothyroidism being investigated.
A fit and active tennis player left unable to lift his arms above his head from side effects of statins (thyroid status not known).
Another person, hypothyroid, under medicated with thyroid hormone, comorbidities developing, still very symptomatic for hypothyroidism and still given statins and suffering leg cramps etc. I’m unsure as to whether doctor knows and will ever know (though I did suggest speak to doctor urgently). People just trust and don’t want to bother the doctor – unless the scales fall from their eyes and they end up here on the forum.
I have NO DOUBT whatsoever the side effects are under reported because that requires the link to be made between statins and ill effects in the first instance and then the report to be made. How many people just stop taking medication and never feedback. I have anecdotally and directly heard of this as well. So much easier to chuck unused prescriptions into a drawer than stand ground with a doctor who is presumed to have much greater knowledge and is so convinced taking statins will be beneficial.
Doctors are between a rock and a hard place – being pushed by the ‘powers that be’ to push statins for more and more of the population, side effects undoubtedly under reported and the guidance on treating hypothyroidism based on flawed science founded in assumptions and extrapolation rather than hypothesis and study to confirm….
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Charlie-Farley
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Once I had crossed the rubicon I could never just take anyone's word for it ever again, though I have a huge amount of faith in the information I was given when I joined. 🤗
In many ways not dissimilar to the reality of thyroid care. It seems to be totally out of the hands of actual ‘hands on’ doctors. Rules made for doctors X times removed from ‘source’. Ideally I would like a doctor to treat me. Not a civil servant. Not Big Pharma and certainly not endos with big opinions and big egos who refuse to bring themselves up to date on research and unfortunately completely ignorant of patients needs.
My thyroid treatment (IMHO) is not optimal. However since starting only on levo, my cholesterol dropped from 9.9 to 6.1. It has been high for many years. No change to diet and certainly no statins involved. I did take statins for a short period after a heart attack 20 years ago but read what was available then and could see no reason to take them. I have terrible muscle problems of at least 18 years standing but I have no idea if there has been any connection. It’s all lost in time.
And the connection will never be made by the medics arTistapple
and your connection of the two events would probably just be brushed off anyway - but you know! I used to get terrible leg cramps, but I think a combination of therapeutic dose and definitely magnesium has pretty much erradicated them. In fact It's been that long only you mentioning it has made me realise how long I have had relief.
I am still finding my way tweaking and still seeing an improvement. I left my B vits off for a week to get a blood test in, but with the postal strikes etc this turned into three weeks before a window of opportunity came and I have been working on building up the folate and B12 since. Summer is coming, I'm feeling better for that alone, but I am hoping to build my stamina a bit more this summer. Each year is a very modest improvement so I'm heading in the right direction. I just hope the same for you.
This is ongoing for me. I have only stopped taking statins. In short I developed bladder problem when under treated for my thyroid in 2017 but again dismissed. In 2019 there was no denial I was physically ill. I became nephritic and my kindneys weren't able to function properly. My cholesterol levels shot from 5 to 11. I had to take statins. The side affects are not good. Muscle pain and weakness. Confusion, fatigue. Easily tired. I hope to get stronger soon.
The last few yrs as my free t3 dropped below range my cholesterol increased and eventually went slightly above range. After yr of working on optimizing my thyroid medication my cholesterol dropped down into range and is back to where it normally hovered in my old old old bloodwork. Another contributing factor for me was that I was able to absorb fat from my food again. For a few yrs I was underweight due dysbiosis and fat malabsorption issues. I'm still treating my dysbiosis but I've been able to increase my fat intake slightly back again
Living proof Imaaan, So glad you have been able to take charge of your health. I have read some of your replies and find them so informative and helpful.😊👍
Shes been a mentor to Opera for many yrs and that's how I found out about her . I used to watch Opera soo much as a teen my stepdad used to call me by her name...lol...I'd say something and his response would be "Okay Oprah!"
...I once took a statin and woke in the Early hours with Horrendous pain in my arm, hand, all swollen kind of like a bad Muscle spasm...Hence, the Atorvastatin went straight in the bin.
Yes, my cholesterol is too high, HDL higher than 'reference range', LDL too high, tryglicerides ok. Total cholesterol .7.2
I told GP if ever my TSH, ft4, ft3 become 'normal' cholesterol should in Theory come down. Yet still GP will only test TSH !!!!
I have a Blue Horizon Thyroid Platinum test to carry out in the near Future so that should show if Thyroid, Vitamins etc are in any way 'Optimal' 👍🤗
I have written my Bio as a case study and a few posts on self advocacy. Doctors literally do not know how to read blood tests. I studied science and was amazed when I realised, but I see the gaps because science teaches the stuff they are missing out on. Trouble is they are pretty much all missing out on some fundamental underpinning so because the are all riding in the three-wheeled wagon they can't see they would be better with four wheels. A click on my face will take you to my bio and profile. 😊👍
Wow, you have been on some Journey, but you managed to quickly overcome the obstacles you faced in 2020 - 2021. Well Done.
I was Diagnosed 'hypothyroid' in 2011 = undoubtedly brought on by a Major Bereavement a few Months before plus Menopause.
Strangely, I didn't feel 'ill' with the usual Hypothyroid symptoms People tend to suffer from. However, I can positively say since taking Levothyroxine I have had so many problems, including:- extreme fatigue, anxiety, many stomach problems including 'loose motions frequently', Osteoporosis, Multiple Spine fractures. I've never put any weight on, in fact lost weight over the past 6 Years = 72kg down to 62kg.
I was on 50ug levothyroxine for 10 + Years and then 'upped' to 75ug
I have been on liquid levothyroxine for over 2 Years because all brands/generic tablets caused lightheadedness, dizziness, rashes, feeling of lump in throat, exhaustion and much more.
So sorry.... Sounds like you have been and are still going through the mill.....
Yes I was very lucky. I did turn it round quick - I had already been warned by the amazing lady who diagnosed me that the medical profession were generally clueless so when it all when pear shaped I knew I had to react quickly - Actually because it was so bad that triggered me into action - allbeit in slow motion intially (when grossly undermedicated). I just hope you find a sweet spot 🤗
You are so right in your assessment. Once I went on T3 my cholesterol level plummeted. It is still a bit higher than reference but I'm okay with that. High cholesterol runs in my family. CVD does not. Many examples of very high cholesterol and very high age can be found in my family. So I assume I'm fine.
Here are my results for anyone curious to know how much I dropped down, thanks and praise belong to God. It went from 6.88 to 4.38. The cut off for the range was 5.20
It is interesting that you brought up this subject. Just yesterday as I mulling over my first (in almost 10 years) "normal" cholesterol readings (in US, so total Cholesterol was 169, LDL's 90, HDL's 60) - and thinking back to 2015 when my first doctor literally circled the LDLs' and total cholesterol on my report and wrote "BAD" next to it - and immediately put me on statins. I went from being able to do Muay Thai camp everyday - holding pads for youngsters (I was in my 50's) to not being able to do anything in about 4 months. But - the doctor said I had to - that it (the cholesterol) would kill me. Went through a number of different types of statins, but the pain never went away. I felt like I was 100 years old and wondered how anyone could ever age well.
A friend gave me a report about cholesterol and statins, along with a discussion of the actual findings and how things get misrepresented in the conclusions, and after looking at the data myself - and after absorbing some very interesting knowledge, I decided to take myself off them - to the horror of my doctor. I did add a wax-matrix niacin. This was 3+ years and 80+ pounds after the initial doctor. No one ever thought to check my thyroid until a new (but actually old-timer) doctor met with me in 2021. I had a total cholesterol of over 300, and there it was - the signs of hypothyroidism. I started treatment and within 9 months, I was down 100 points (but still above the "normal") . By continuing to find my best place for my thyroid levels (and now hopefully I can hold it despite an uninformed endocrinologist), moving to a gluten free, anti-inflammatory and mostly dairy free diet (I have autoimmune) I have been able to finally be inside the parameters of the cholesterol numbers. I try not to think of how different things could have been if that original doctor checked my thyroid...
Good luck to all with this statin thing - get informed and listen to your own intuitive inner physician!
Thanks for sharing as I've just started my hypothyroidism journey and am trying to confirm which autoimmunity I have. We are poorly tested here in the UK. Feel inspired to hear your levels have normalised!!
Charlie! Thank you for this. I already knew that hypothyroidism was linked to high cholesterol, high BP and heart arrhythmia. I'm in remission from AFib and you should know we have much debate about 'the statins conversation' that many of us have had with our GPs, on the AF forum. Having read about these links is why I made the decision to have my long term subclinical hypothyroidism treated. I realised things would not improve without that step. But you have to dig to find these things out. Am lucky to have a good Arrythmia Nurse who encouraged to do the same. That's un contrast with one GP who shouted at me when I asked him why he'd never told me hypothyroidism high BP and heart Arrythmia are linked!
Anecdotally about the side effects of statins from a friend who's a surgeon: statins led him to develop 'dementia like' symptoms. His words. He came off them pronto. I've made the decision statins are not for me and am looking into alternatives as well as things like overnight fasting.
If our medics are guided to treat conditions individually with medication they will continue to fail to join up the dots and nit discover causality. It's a very sad situation that leads many to become cynical about mainstream medicine. And not to trust their doctors.
In addition to the muscle weaknesses you have described, statins (Simvastatin to be precise) also caused Type II diabetes in my husband! Once he stopped them after reading an article I gave him from Malcolm Kendrick, thankfully all the muscle weakness disappeared and his diabetes was controlled by Metformin for a while but now by diet alone. I would not accept statins under ANY conditions!
Thank you for the info, my Dr is pushing for me to go on statins but I said I will try through diet to reduce my cholesterol. I’m a type 2 diabetic as well and low carb diet xx
I bought it plus a blood sugar meter - I was already wondering how I would know if my blood sugar was reducing before I discovered the book.
So I bought the book and a blood sugar meter and by the time I saw the diabetes nurse three months later - the best she could do was the healthy plate 😱 and ‘don’t eat more than one banana a day and avoid pineapple’ I was no longer T2.
This is an amazing site too for advice if you haven’t found it already diabetes.co.uk/
As for statins. I wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole now. I tried them for a very short while many years ago - before the side effects etc were widely known so I wasn’t influenced by other people’s opinions. Within that time my muscles hurt so much I could barely walk plus I felt incredibly depressed.
Since then I discovered that when I was hyper with Graves disease my cholesterol was the lowest it’s ever been and now I’m no longer hyper but my TSH is higher than it was when I stopped my block and replace my cholesterol level has increased. I told my GP years ago that I had noticed a correlation - she just looked at me and smiled. Unfortunately I’m ‘within the range’ for my thyroid levels, I’m just not ‘optimal’ and although I know that if my levels were reduced then so would my cholesterol be but everyone on here knows that’s not like.y to ever happen so in the meantime whenever I come across a new doctor I just say ‘thanks but no thanks’.
I am a 76 year old woman with hypothyroidism. Not only does my gp want to reduce my medication, which I’m not letting her do because my T3 is right at the bottom of the range, she also wants me to take statins because my cholesterol is raised. I have refused this and told her I was aware of the risks, both in woman over 70 and those with thyroid issues. She is not happy and put in my notes that in her opinion, my life expectation will be reduced and wants to re-evaluate both, so I have to have another blood test for thyroid in three months and one for cholesterol in 6 months!
Give her both barrels (and some references to back it up) , she’s clueless! LOL!
They don’t know how to read the blood tests. If you look at my bio (click on my face) you will see according to the doctors, I was normal at 75 µg at 100 µg at 125 µg and at 150 µg where I finally got alleviation of symptoms. I wrote this as a case study, so that others could use the information to train their doctors.
It’s not simply a case of dropkicking you between goalposts.
NICE the guidelines also talk about dosing according to weight- so when I was left to languish on 25ug of Levothyroxine, it is worth noting I would have been fine if I had weighed 2 and a half stone 🤣
I am reading Dr. Broda Barnes book “Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness” at the moment. It was recommended by Delgor and I thank her profusely. The book was written in 1976 when he had already observed all this stuff. E.g. Re: Cholesterol, which other researchers have since identified later. He is also big on mentioning all sorts of discoveries about hypothyroidism which have clearly been ‘forgotten’ and overlooked and continue to be by the medical profession. Two things I am especially interested in are heart stuff related to hypothyroidism and dosage for such persons. ME in particular!
However there is another important issue of note he repeats over and over again i.e. issues about patients stopping their treatment because they think they are fine. Apparently patients can appear to be fine for some years without medication (many of us know this from being subjected to many years lacking a diagnosis). However his view is that hypothyroidism progresses and can continue relatively unnoticed in the background. Whilst I think most doctors and patients know treatment should not be stopped; there are circumstances where this definitely comes about. We discuss many of them on the forum. “New regimes promising people they can be cured”: people so ill because they are subjected to lazy, lousy dosing they become desperate to stop for some sort of relief, endos wanting to ‘clear the decks’ to see what is going on, endos and doctors pronouncing no hypothyroidism because they do not understand blood tests or the progression of the disease.
I was pushed to take statins even though I have an under active thyroid and was on a six month course of anti fungal medication. AND they were miffed when I politely refused. Clueless!
Where was your fungal infection if you don't mind me asking? I'm asking because I've had oral thrush for 3 Years caused by Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin. Nystatin is Poison to my Body so I try apple cider vinegar, salt water, Oregano oil
hi Thyb another great addition for me in the fungal fight is garlic …. Great antibacterial anti-viral and anti- carcinogenic properties …. Brilliant cleansing …. If you can’t tolerate the taste then you could rub on your feet ….
Thank you for that. I held off completely when the neurologist said I should be on a statin and she wrote to my GP - I knew I didn't. Later I had an MRI owing to neuropathy (I am hypothyroid by the way and have Pernicious Anaemia). It was then suggested I had a statin as I have very mild ischemic brain disease. I did some research and decided, owing to that MRI result, I would take a statin. I've been on them 9 months and don't appear to have any side effects. I already had neuropathy in my feet and legs and have varicose veins. I do have throbbing in the veins now but I think this is because I have stopped some of my exercise. I walk over 10,000 steps a day and go to Pilates, but also need to get back to swimming. Any thoughts on taking a statin when there is a diagnosis from an MRI?
You have to do what works best for YOU. Getting informed as best you can is always the way to go. You seem to be doing that. And that's a good thing. All the best.
thank you. I did research and also asked my son who is an osteopath and knows a lot. As my mum had a stroke, we both thought a statin might be best after my MRI result, to be on the safe side. I still have doubts though! Perhaps that is a good thing, it means I have an open mind - I hope!
If they aren’t causing you any side-effects and you feel it will help you going forward then there’s nothing wrong. It’s when they push even when people are having side-effects or when it’s not appropriate. Some people absolutely do need these but not the whole population.
If you think you need statins, they are beneficial and they are not giving you side effects then you must take them. The problems comes about because they block a specific enzyme in the liver that helps to make cholesterol, and a side effect is other liver enzymes can elevate. Therefore, to keep safe your GP should be offering you a liver function test every so often.
Other common issues is the muscle cell destruction known as 'statin myopathy' which leads to muscle soreness and pain, and also inhibition of CoQ10 which furthers muscle damage and tiredness. If you aren't suffering these, then great but it might be an idea to supplement some CoQ10 to prevent possible future problems.
I had read up about CoQ10 and once again, there seem to be 'fors' and 'againsts' so therefore not sure there is evidence to say it would do good.
I wish I didn't have to take them, and I would never have known about the very mild ischaemic brain disease if I had gone to the neuro about neuropathy and she did a whole raft of tests. I will check on my record if I have had liver function tests. thank you
Was in bed last night and thinking about my reply and the fact I'd forgotten I've got horrendous cramps come back over, probably, the last year. I started statins in July 22 approx and had never thought the possibility of statins causing this. It does worry me I am doing the right thing
Perhaps it’s time for another chat with your son, and perhaps you could show him some of the scientific research links on this post it’s not like they are totally out there alternative sources. Your son may be able to offer a perspective on this? Based on all the information I have seen even before I started this string - and for MY circumstances- I will never take them. This doesn’t mean they might not be appropriate for some.
Humanbean has put a very interesting link to some research below further down the string.
I read about the Hunt study, not the rest ATM. I've already been flagged up at the surgery as being at risk of a heart attack. I been getting letters for a few years. I asked them why, when I am slimmish and exercise, but the reply wasn't satisfactory. I will ask my son and also perhaps ask the surgery. The pharmacy today asked if I would like my blood pressure taken, so I said yes. One set of readings was too high so she said would you like an ambulatory monitor. I thought, went not, so getting that Monday to Tuesday.
Oh poor you, I agree it can be a worry to know what to do for the best. I assume you have checked your cholesterol is actually high in the bad sense and not just high.
Regarding CoQ10 relieving side effects of statins there is evidence that points at both sides. Both NHS website and NICE state CoQ10 isn’t recommended with statins but NICE also states further research is required after several positive trails so I think it only a matter of time until it is recommended.
You must look after mild ischaemic brain disease to prevent further deterioration so if that means taking statins then you must but if this were myself I would be taking CoQ10 supplement alongside.
My cholesterol was fine and has been all along. I even went to the doctor several times over the years to query it but she always said it is the ratio that counts and that was fine. Yes, I've read the conflicting answers about CoQ10 and I ended up dismissing it for now. I have no idea why I have this very mild ischemic brain disease, I wonder if it could be to do with 40 years of insomnia, often chronic, alongside untreated thyroid and untreated B12 deficiency. I try and keep my brain active - I have been learning piano for 7 years! I love doing and learning new things - sometimes I try and cram in too much!
I am going to have a another look at CoQ10 -I think I sent myself an email about it last time I researched. There are now some excellent new doctors at our surgery (including my one as my old one retired). One of the new ones seems so caring as I have had a lot of water infections and scan showed two things that need looking at so she is referring me to eurology. I might send her a letter about CoQ10, I wonder if she is open to listening like my retired doctor was.
Thanks for your input, everything helps on this forum.
Oh, I have just realised they are giving you statins because of their cerebrovascular benefits but there’s research on both sides for that too 😬.
Some statins are meant to enter the brain more easily and great studies showed Simvastatin and Atorvastatin to have caused numerous cognitive problems. There is strong argument for someone who doesn't have high cholesterol (like yourself) should not take cholesterol lowering drugs as it is an important structural brain component supporting myelin sheath formation, protecting brain cells and promoting synaptic activity.
It’s a gamble isn’t it, and how many of us have unknown ischaemic damage. It’s a normal part of ageing but because we aren’t tested no-one knows until dementia, etc, sets in.
I too have ischaemic damage (most likely a result of the Covid vaccine) from a stroke that caused some eyesight and hearing loss on one side. My only symptom was blood loss to the brain - no clot or bleed. Doctors completely baffled. I was put on statins, blood thinners, BP pills, calcium, etc, etc, whilst HRT (my hero support) was immediately withdrawn. They also refused to let me have my NDT thyroid meds as didn't allow ‘supplements’! (Luckily I had some hidden in my washbag.
When I left hospital three days later I took myself off everything except ongoing low dose BP pills (topped up with Active Cherry Juice proven to lower BP). HRT was later reinstated by a less hasty consultant. I do not have high cholesterol or sticky blood and my calcium levels are good, obtained from food. They then offered me bisphosphonate for my bones 🤷♀️(which I refused). It was as if I had suddenly come onto their radar and they were throwing everything at me.
What I’m saying is all these meds have unwanted side effects and in my option are offered too easily as preventative measures when they might not be needed. You said you had doubts about your decision to take statins so why not discuss it again with your son or GP and revisit the studies proving its worth regarding your condition, and those showing its negative effects. Only then can you make an informed decision.
yes, you are right, I would never have known if it hadn't been for the MRI. I will have to google Atorvastatin as I am on that, didn't know there could be problems with it. Sorry, I can't remember if I answered this already but I think I will try CoQ10 but it's not cheap. Hard to know which are the 'better' ones.
Any hypothyroidism is associated with enhanced oxidative stress involving (non)enzymatic antioxidants so worth supplementing CoQ10 anyway.
I’m obsessed with antioxidants as have iron over- load that creates lots of oxidative stress. Anything that helps eliminate the production of oxygen reactive species (ROS) in cells and tissues by detoxification is welcomed in my book.
I looked into CoQ10 supplements more deeply when my dear husband went ‘statin -rogue' 😬. It comes in two forms: ubiquinol (active antioxidant) and ubiquinone (oxidised from that the body then has to convert.) There are many studies supporting one or the other and I think either work, although older, more tired peeps should perhaps take ubiquinol as more easily utilised.
Adrenal hormones are also involved with CoQ10 meaning dysfunctional adrenal health (common in hypo) will compromise CoQ10 levels. I’ve lost the link but Dr Alyssa Burns-Hill (previously affiliated to Thyroid UK who runs this forum) recommended 100 mg per day.
Thank you. I don't know if you know of Dr Chandy of B12D.org who was a GP for 40/50 years. It was he I first got in touch with as I felt no better on B12 injections. It was he who suggested I needed treating for hypothyroidism after I sent my results to him. I also spoke twice on the phone with him. He also mentioned adrenals. I didn't know much about anything at that time. About two years ago - maybe not as long - I got in touch again and it was his daughter who rang me. I spoke to her and she said her father saved her life with regard to cortisol. She talked a long time to me about herself and said my cortisol was on the low side and how to treat myself. She talked so much that it was hard to decipher what I really needed to do, so I didn't do anything!
What I've read so far is, as you say, take 100mg tablet (for CoQ10). I looked at one from Pharma Nord for nearly £40, but another was £20 from somewhere else (both 100mg). Some people say Pharma Nord is overpriced but it is where I buy my K2 on repeat with a discount for being over 65, so it only comes to £16 for 60 capsules.
I might ask for my cortisol to be done again, even the consultant got it redone about 3 years ago as it was below the level (their levels!). Perhaps that is why my sleeping has gone completely downhill again. So hard to know what to fix.
Great points by you and repliers (speed-read!). And it's not just thyroid, the same goes for menopause and there's also associations between CKD and cholesterol. Links available.Personally I don't let the medical authorities off the hook as the key reason for this mis-diagnosis and mis-treatment is ignorance/non-acceptance of root cause. Nutritional Therapists address that, docs don't.
My mum's tot cholesterol is 7.1 so she's had to battle statin-pushing medics for ages. But she is post-menopause with CKD (never got to properly test thyroid beyond tsh via NHS despite trying, sent "the" letter etc!). We aren't concerned at that level which is stable.
My uncle and my aunt lived into their 90s and in excellent shape with very high cholesterol. Both were talked into statins and had terrible muscle pain, which caused them to drop the meds. I don't think we know enough about cholesterol and what those drugs do to push them on everybody who doctors think should have them. Again also a case of treating numbers and not people.
Indeed. As you likely know, there's data suggesting higher cholesterol is associated with greater longevity. Naturopathic practitioners such as Dr Michael Kendrick have presented such data and sensible references such as LDL particle size being more important than the numbers allopathic doctors consider.
My dad also took statins for a few months before dropping. Liver marker billirubin doubled before normalizing after stopping.
Also I don't think GP's know enough about cholesterol, as they write prescription with any elevations. There is good and bad, and as we metabolise differently we all need different ratios. Hence your aunt & uncle lived in great shape with high.
My husband took statins against my advice for about two weeks and suffered horrendous muscle pain, so stopped and pain reversed within days. Never again!
So sorry, your husband had to suffer that pain. I can relate. Generally I think that patients would profit tremendously if doctors had less ego and more intellectual humility. The higher they are on their horse the more damage they are likely to cause.
Indeed, some of the points I made 3 days ago to buddy were in reference to such research. 2 other personal points relevant to that are:
1. My dad is basically now hoping/seeking to INCREASE his cholesterol because of the longevity research (!) by natural means (no drugs for that!). In his last test, his HDL and hence total have encouragingly increased (albeit total still <4 mmol/l, so below the 4.8 target ref the Ulmer et al research) presumably via good diet, exercise etc) so 🤞
2. Following a recent cardiac arrest, my brother-in-law is on statins which I believe is actually correct for heart stability and he has familial hypercholesterolemia.
My aunt in her late 50s was found to have high cholesterol despite healthy diet and lifestyle and being active. GP prescribed her statins. I told her to go back and ask for a thyroid function test. Turns out she was hypothyroid. Cholesterol normalised with levothyroxine. I'm sure this happens all the time and I'm glad I was able to intervene for my aunt and get her the correct solution as without that, she would have been on statins and still undiagnosed and getting more and more symptomatic over time.
Very important topic Charlie-Farley and thank you for bringing it up. I have another point to make relating to statins and treatment for thyroid disorders.
Like many of you, I have statins "pushed" at me but that is because I have Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) since 1980. I have tried in the past to "obey" the orders but since loosing faith and trust in medical professionals I examine every leaflet of every medication I am prescribed.
The information leaflet enclosed with every type/make of statins that has been prescribed to me mentions that they are not to be prescribed for patients with thyroid conditions. Be that prior to receiving treatment ... not not mentioned whether prior or in any case.
The point I am trying to make is that my diabetes endos (in all my 40+ years living with T1D I have never seen the same one from one appointment to the next) do not have any idea about the interactions between statins and hypothyroid and hypothyroid medication itself, they always argue that as T1D I HAVE to be taking statins due to the CVD risks.
I feel and know from bitter experience that preventing something that might not ever happen and ignoring what is happening right now is where the real harm lies.
Thank you, Charlie-Farley, for this post and, especially, for emphasizing that in the end any medical decision is OURS (at least as long as we are able to make it). After all, we are the ones who have to live with the consequences (good and bad). In my case my Levo dose was drastically reduced from 125mcg to 75mcg (in one go!). My TSH went up to 12 (three times the top of the reference interval, possibly even higher). But instead of treating the hypothyroidism, which was already causing enough misery in my life, I was put on statins, since my cholesterol had also reached dizzying heights. I was in excruciating pain. I had muscle pain in muscles I previously did not even know I had. For those of you who have given birth, imagine the pain of that event doubled and in every muscle of your body. And, yes, I did have the same pain as I had in giving birth when I was on statins only I would prefer to have ten more children over ever going on statins again (thankfully my age will not allow that ) This was about 20+ years ago (and the doctor was very, very upset that I had stopped taking the statins) and I have NEVER fully recovered from the experience. I am still suffering with intermittent muscle pain and weakness to this day, but it is nothing compared to what I endured when I was on Lipitor. Being informed and double checking everything is so very important. Of course mistakes will be made because, contrary to what the medical system wants us to believe, we do NOT know everything. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, we know precious little. Mistakes can be made on the doctor's part or on OUR part, but no matter how you slice it, we as individuals have to live with it. So why give the control over our bodies, our lives and also our minds to anybody else? It makes no sense to me. It took me far, far too long to come to that conclusion and it makes me very unpopular with doctors. But who cares?
Thank you Imaan. I'm very well now. Took me decades to learn to respect and trust my own body over outside sources. But, as you know, it often is a struggle to get the medical support and a real blessing when we finally receive it. Always worth to fight for your health.
It's all good. This was not the only medical mishap. There is a positive side to all that. The more these things happened the more I was pushed away from trusting doctors exclusively, needing to learn about their tactics and to stand up for myself (this last one still does not come easy at all). I appreciate your compassion, though. Thank you Charlie-Farley.
Quite right. Time was elevated cholesterol alone would have been cause to prescribe NDT.
Now, it's just cause for a knee-jerk cholesterol scrip. And one is made to feel reckless for not taking it.
Whereas, cholesterol is rather important in the scheme of things, and sunlight (vitamin D), adequate thyroid hormone levels, and hence mitochondrial function, all vital to its proper metabolism.
Moreover, statins will suppress co-enzyme Q10 which is essential to mitochondrial (and hence heart) function, exacerbating a possibly already prejudiced vicious circle, impacting stomach acid and malabsorpsion, in the hypothyroid.
The case seems rather similar to the way, not so long ago, GPs were apt to prescribe mega doses of cipro and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics willy-nilly, for UTIs etc.
No surprise that the free fluorine (which has no proper place in the human body) drove out iodine (which is essential) by halogen-substitution, and exacerbated latent hypothyroidism.
After a month on cipro, I went from running 8km a day to barely being able to get downstairs (my Achilles tendons were tight as piano wire) and I was both uncharacteristically brain-fogged and unaccountably deeply anxious. I even managed to lock myself out of the house for the first time ever!
It took a while, but such things are flagged now in warning labels, and there is marked reticence to prescribe cipro - unless you're in danger of contracting anthrax.
Well worth checking very carefully what medicines one is prescribed. Many scrips arise on just the (sadly prevalent) basis that they may in aggregate contribute to some nationwide NHS cost/death minimisation clearing solution. Which has nothing at all to do with you or me as individual patients. And everything to do with no one being able to get a GP for simply conforming with NICE guidelines.
Look out for anything with an 'F' for fluorine in the name (e.g. Flecainide), for example. It is no accident that the Soviets and Nazis were rumoured to put fluoride in concentration camp water, to keep the inmates quiescent.
And most beta-blockers, for instance, will also have deleterious effects upon the already hypothyroid patient.
It is a trade-off of course. But, as you say, just as well to take a sceptical approach and go into one's treatment with eyes wide open, after examining the alternatives.
Like doing the one thing which GPs often seem incapable of crediting their patients with the capacity to do: changing our lifestyles. To cut out e.g. inflammatory carbs and sugars, gluten, lactose etc., whatever is prone to set off an adverse thyroid chain-reaction, eliminating some toxins and getting regular exercise.
Thank you, and just in time for me as being 'advised' to take statins by GP, I have resisted until now and was about to give in as thought that they know best. I can now learn more and make my own mind up. (Hypo, on levo 75mcg, and Cholesterol at 7 with ratio of 4:4)
the remit is just too broad for GPs and advice conflicting and sketchy. The big Pharma test and submit their own results- no independent testing. They push the agenda. The twin doctors on TV one of them did a programme on calpol. Kid’s medication but elegantly demonstrates the issues for us generally- might be able to find it on YouTube.
I really appreciate this post, Charlie-Farley. As someone who has had a long history of having to inform myself due to being wrongly diagnosed, not diagnosed, given misinformation and generally having a less than optimal experience with my health and the medical profession I am staggered at how willing most people are to simply do what they're told by medics.
Just a quick acknowledgement here - before I commence rant - of the many medical heroes out there doing absolutely their best with the best intentions under difficult conditions.
With regards the thyroid/cholesterol connection....I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in my 30s (I'm now in my late 60s). I was also an undiagnosed Coeliac (very symptomatic for 20+ years before being diagnosed, I can't imagine why) which may well have contributed to the thyroid situation. I'm also one of the lucky small percentage of people who don't adequately metabolise levothyroxine. Consequently I'm told that all is well because my TSH is 'in mid range' while my T3 is bumping along the very bottom. Now my GP wants me to take statins which I have politely declined, and I discussed with the endocrinologist (who thankfully is open to discussion) that I will be raising my levo dose to bring my T3 up to a reasonable level. Who knows what other effects being forced to live at sub optimal thyroid functioning for decades has had on my health and general well being....or lack thereof. The failure of the pharmaceutic and medical industries to address this rubbish approach to hypothyroidism is nothing short of shameful.
And with regards to medication side effects and reporting of them, even on here, although generally folks are very well informed (and certainly very well meaning), there's a lot of 'trust your doctor & do what they tell you'. Recently someone posted that they were taking X medication and having some challenging symptoms and wanted to know whether they might be connected to the medication. The overwhelming response was folks saying 'oh, it's nothing', 'it could be this thing or that thing', 'it'll pass' etc etc. I looked up the medication and the symptoms they were reporting were the three most common side effects of the medication which not one person had raised!
Back in the 00's doctors first started telling me I should take Statins. There was nothing wrong with me but cholesterol numbers were perhaps at top of the newly lowered range! I was probably mildly hypo but they didn't spot that!
They have had multiple attempts to get me to take them since then. I read up about them in the 00's and decided then that I had no need of them at all. And so I have stayed well away from them. In the time between I have seen no new studies or reports to convince me away from the reading I did back then. I don't want Statins! So I won't have them. There is no evidence they do anything helpful for women anyway. We struggle to get the HRT and thyroid treatment we desperately need to improve our lives. But any of us could walk into the surgery today and ask for statins and get them handed over with no trouble!
That was my first time doing my own research, forming an opinion away from the GP's instructions and advocating for my own health. It felt overwhelming back then. Now it's just commonplace!
And as doctor’s diagnostic abilities are diminished by the ‘flow chart orthodoxy’, this will be more common place. Between the shameless drug pushing by Pharma and the economical imperative being promoted over the clinical I can’t help but wonder if there is room on the agenda for medicine at all.
In the USA the #3 leading cause of death are doctors (up from #11, I believe, ten years ago). I can see this trend continue until it is too dangerous to see a doctor at all (Wanna commit suicide? See a doctor ). They have no time, too many patients, too many rules, are educated by pharma and under threat of loosing their license if they put too much effort into actually helping patients outside the prescribed narrow medical path. It is shameful and scary.
Both my brother and I had the same bad reaction to statins, although it took 6 months for me to react but only a month for my brother. It started with the hands making it hard to pick up things and then began to affect the knees. We gave up statins, it took time to recover but sometimes I still have issues, 6 years on, with a couple of fingers feeling stiff. My brother had to have physio for his knees and apparently he wasn't the only person that had these issues after taking statins. We will never take them again.
I went back to look at one of the sources I had on cholesterol - I have a friend in Sweden that encouraged me to look at the cholesterol issue from at least 4 different perspectives and he sent me this link: ravnskov.nu/wp-content/uplo... - which I found useful. May be helpful to others (and not sure how links work here - so please remove if not appropriate!)
This professor really knows his stuff. For years I've been aware of him. He worked with Mr Malcolm McKendrick on a film was it called the Great Cholesterol Con? That's the title of Dr McKendrick's book. A worthy read.
quite a few people have added links to information on statins. It’s all through the body of this post and the string so when things die down a little I will modify my own post to copy and paste all the links so people can look read and judge for themselves. It’s good to view everything with a critical eye, but when the nice guidelines and medication guidelines caution use of statins we have a right to be concerned and informed.
Anyone who hasn't seen the graphs on this page really needs to study them carefully. The references for the following info are included in the article.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
) This was about 20+ years ago (and the doctor was very, very upset that I had stopped taking the statins) and I have NEVER fully recovered from the experience. I am still suffering with intermittent muscle pain and weakness to this day, but it is nothing compared to what I endured when I was on Lipitor. Being informed and double checking everything is so very important. Of course mistakes will be made because, contrary to what the medical system wants us to believe, we do NOT know everything. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, we know precious little. Mistakes can be made on the doctor's part or on OUR part, but no matter how you slice it, we as individuals have to live with it. So why give the control over our bodies, our lives and also our minds to anybody else? It makes no sense to me. It took me far, far too long to come to that conclusion and it makes me very unpopular with doctors. 
UNDERACTIVE THYROID AND STATINS
Hypothyroid and T2 diabetes risk
Advice on statins and vascular atheroma please
Conflicting information / Need Help!
Rhabdomyolysis in the setting of induced hypothyroidism and statin therapy: a case report
