Hi
I’m hypothyroid and my total cholesterol is raised which I’m working very hard to bring down with diet and exercise. I’m a very healthy weight and my bmi is fine.
I have just learnt today that if a person is hypothyroid this means they have secondary hyperlipidemia, above normal lipid levels in the blood. So this could be the reason my total cholesterol is raised.
Got to admit this is huge news to me and I’m really concerned.
Would appreciate any views, comments.
Thank you.
292426
I have just learnt today that if a person is hypothyroid this means they have secondary hyperlipidemia, above normal lipid levels in the blood.
Where did you come across that information?
It may be so if you are undermedicated, but if optimally medicated it isn't necessarily so. I've been hypothyroid for almost 50 years and my last lipid panel (April 2022) showed
Cholesterol 5.9
Triglycerides 1.3 (<2.0)
HDL 2.1 (>1.2)
Non HDL 3.8
LDL 3.2
I've been having these done since 2018 and all the results are very similar so there certainly isn't an abnormal rise in mine which is what secondary hyperlipidemia causes.
What are your current TSH, FT4 and FT3 results/ranges?
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.
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
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Recommended 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 then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 and includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£29
randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...
Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65
(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)
monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...
10% off code here
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
Read responses to my post today - found them super helpful. Am in the same position. Biocare do a plant sterols supplement btw which I'm about to take to give myself a helping hand. Fingers crossed from us both.
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