SVTs after blood pressure meds and query link with Hashimotos

[rosyG]

Hi,

I am having problems with SVT after two different blood pressure medications- one diruetic and another calcium channel blocker. I think my BP is resistant to meds as hypertension caused by Hashimotos - low pulse rate etc but wonder if anyone else has experienced this and what answers may be!Drs are sceptical!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I think the best way this group can help you is to assist in optimising your thyroid replacement dose and key vitamins. Having a TSH within the normal range is not good enough for effective functioning of the body. You may need a dose increase, you may not be converting Levo well, you may have low vitamin levels, actually unless you are currently supplementing then you probably do have low if not deficient vitamin levels which mean your thyroid hormone will not work well.

How do you feel in yourself?

Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test. Its worth trialing a strictly gluten free diet to see if it helps symptoms.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsly elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[rosyG in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you Jaydee

My serum TSH was 2 in Feb (range 0.35-5) and T4 14.3 ( 9-22Couple of years ago serum ferritin 86 (10-200) Folate13.7 ( (3-20)

I have pernicious anaemia so Vit B 12 numbers high as I have injections every three months.

So I am not on any replacement yet. I have read that BP improves when replacement starts?

I've asked to be referred to endocrinologist who diagnosed hashimotos from antibodies and large nodules etc

Problem is that will take some time and I am having blood pressure spikes which put me at risk so wonder what others have taken that has been safe and effective

Many thanks

Rosemary

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to rosyG]

What time of day was your TSH test? It makes a big difference as TSH runs on a circadian rhythm and is highest at 9am. If you tested in the afternoon your real result will have been higher.

Recommend getting a full thyroid test to include TSH, FT4 and FT3, also full vitamin testing - ferritin, folate & D3 (no need for B12 but usually included in a package). Test as described above.

Have you tried a strictly gluten free diet?

TSH rhythm

[rosyG]

No I will do that- I will organise the tests Thankyou Test was in the morning