High cholesterol & snoring?

[Humphre]

Two things I'm concerned about & need to chat or at least have others opinions 🤔1st I snore badly hubby getting really upset as I won't discuss with doc, don't think they can help & I admit once I'm asleep I know nothing becoming a big problem, we've started sleeping in separate rooms/ plus arguments which doesn't help me feeling guilty.

2nd had women's health check with blood test seems I've high cholesterol which I know having hypothyroidism (inc. snoring) usually is raised. I'm to see the nurse for advice inc. medication possible. Reading the info sent part of it was about cardiovascular problems so on further reading came across this.....

"What is liothyronine?

Liothyronine is a manufactured form of triiodothyronine (T3).

UK guidelines recommend that T3 and combinations of T4 and T3 should not routinely be prescribed. The Royal College of Physicians does not recommend that T3 should ever be prescribed. It says there is not enough evidence that it helps patients and not enough evidence to be sure it is not harmful. Clinical practice guidelines worldwide do not recommend or support the routine use of combination (LT4 and LT3) therapy.

The NHS recommends that:

Treatment with liothyronine should never be started in primary care (by a GP).

Patients who are currently taking liothyronine should be reviewed by a consultant NHS endocrinologist with a view to switching to levothyroxine if appropriate.

The British Thyroid Association states that a small number of patients have symptoms which do not improve on levothyroxine. For these, a consultant NHS endocrinologist may recommend a carefully monitored trial of liothyronine.

You can find out more from the further reading links to CKS hypothyroidism and NHS England guidance."

I read this & thought 'what' you need T3 what's this nonsense.

Thanks for reading!

[greygoose]

I'm to see the nurse for advice inc. medication possible.

You don't need medication. You need a decent level of FT3.

Medication for high cholesterol is statins, which can cause more problems than they solve. High cholesterol is a symptom, not a disease, and it won't do you any harm. Cholesterol does not cause heart attacks or strokes - as doctors want you to believe - but statins can. Artificially lowering cholesterol with statins is not addressing the root cause. Plus they are likely to go too far and give you a level of cholesterol that is too low. Your body needs cholesterol. Your body is pretty much made of cholesterol - brain, cell walls, sex hormone, etc. - so without it the body cannot repair and regenerate. I would strongly advise you not to accpet statins.

[Humphre in reply to greygoose]

Thank you I've read about statins & the cholesterol scam, so I advised my hubby not to take them as I'd heard horrible stories & he seems to be ok just wanted extra reassuring from this group.👍

[greygoose in reply to Humphre]

That's good. Well done you. Is hubby hypo?

[Humphre in reply to greygoose]

No just overweight, always has been on heavy side, does have prostate cancer but slow growing no probs with that oh but has had his gall bladder removed which can cause cholesterol to be higher, he has high blood pressure which we're controlling with diet so far so good, he's on two different tablets for BP🤦suffers from kidney stones too otherwise pretty fit. 🙂

[greygoose in reply to Humphre]

Wow! Over-weight, high cholesterol, gall bladder problems, high blood pressure... Sounds like he could be hypo with all those symptoms. Has he been tested?

[Humphre in reply to greygoose]

No I don't think so never occurred to me🤔hmm I'll suggest it to him thanks for pointing it out👍

[greygoose in reply to Humphre]

You're welcome.

[Humphre in reply to greygoose]

Just have to sort snoring out........🤔

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Humphre]

What is holding you back from talking to the GP about snoring?

Your GP will probably score you on the Epworth scale and dependent on the results from that you may get assessed for sleep apnoea.

esht.nhs.uk/wp-content/uplo...

Untreated sleep apnoea is a risk for blood pressure and heart problems. It pays to look after yourself.

[Humphre in reply to Jaydee1507]

I don't rate my doctor but I'm due to see practice nurse so will chat with her & yes I need to speak with doctor forsake of my marriage I will checkout the link you sent. I have read snoring can be connected with hypothyroidism. Thank you for your comments.👍

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Humphre]

Ask for references to sleep assessment clinic

They give you a fancy gizmo to wear at home …this records the snoring and very importantly registers if you stop breathing (sleep apnea)

Sleep apnea is a hypothyroid issue

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

High cholesterol suggests you are in need of dose increase in levothyroxine

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

what vitamin supplements are you taking

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

are you taking T3 as well?

On T3 - day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last dose 8-12 hours before test

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

See detailed reply by SeasideSusie

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Humphre in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm on 100mcg levothyroxine only & a regime of vitamins(B complex, omega 3, D3with K2, selenium, ashwahganda) due to test later this month, doctor wants me to lower but I refused so see how I'm doing with current meds & vit combination once I've done that I'll see where I am. Thanks for your information as always🙂

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Humphre]

Looking at results from 4 months ago…

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

you are likely ready for next dose increase in levothyroxine

Definitely time to retest if not done so since then

[Humphre in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes a plan this month but doctor taking some convincing 👍

[goatheard in reply to Humphre]

Are you sensitive to nightshades? Ashwagandha is in the nightshade family and made my thyroid antibodies and TSH shoot way up. Why are you taking it? There are other adaptogens available if you really need one.

[Humphre in reply to goatheard]

Hi oh I didn't realise I'll have to check it out, I was looking at adaptogens tried gengsing & saw Ashwahganda & thought I'd try it out🤔 I've only just started on them less than a week. I've some ginkgo bilabo to try said to be good for tinnitus so I'll see. Thanks for heads up I'll check it out

[greygoose in reply to Humphre]

Snoring can indeed be linked to hypo! When I was under-medicated I started snoring before I even fell asleep!

[Humphre in reply to greygoose]

Oh my at least I do fall asleep 1st, I've an appointment booked but I may have to use an emergency slot as it's 4 weeks wait😯 also I've requested an increase in levo, doc wanted to reduce again🤦health check took bloods I wasn't prepared for, anyhow I've sent him so info & suggested nicely that we should be aiming for a better balance T4 to T3 if no improvement could I try T3 I'll report back his answer. I believe my sleep snore 🤞 will improve if higher. Vitamins 👍 feel a lot happier plan bloods end of month. Love this group😊

[greygoose in reply to Humphre]

Well, when I did fall asleep, my snoring would wake me up again. But I'm pretty sure I don't snore now I'm well treated.

Doctors understand little about treating hypo, but they seem to get a kick out of reducing doses! Not so keen on increasing them, though. Never accept a blood test that you aren't prepared for. No-one can force you to have it. Just say you'd rather wait and have it another day.

[Humphre in reply to greygoose]

Ah I'm now more aware! I sometimes cough choke to wake up but that's rare🤔I think usually in an aggressive dream I'm hoping to source some breathing excersises from Janeroar but unsure how to PM

[greygoose in reply to Humphre]

This is  janeroar 's profile:

healthunlocked.com/user/jan...

Click on 'chat' and write your message.

[Humphre in reply to Jaydee1507]

Ah normal! But I'll still checkout with doctor 🙂

[jgelliss in reply to greygoose]

👏👏👏👏

[Humphre in reply to jgelliss]

Managed an appointment face to face 1st Dec hope my hubby can cope 🙂

[humanbean]

Regarding snoring...

This link might have some useful advice :

britishsnoring.co.uk/

It is also worth being aware of what the NHS has to say about the problem :

nhs.uk/conditions/snoring/

If I was worried about my snoring I must admit I wouldn't see a GP. I'm overweight, and being told that I should lose weight is not going to work for me. My weight goes up every time I increase my dose of thyroid hormones, and I'm not reducing those.

[janeroar in reply to humanbean]

Did you mean to say your weight goes up when you increase thyroid meds?

[Humphre in reply to janeroar]

Not noticed but I lost a little bit when switched diet to gf I originally lost 3stone 9 years ago via Zoe Harcombe diet but had accident which I broke my left hip since then weight has gone back to 12&1/2 although now just a little over 12 learning so much from this site. Thanks

[humanbean in reply to janeroar]

Yes.

[janeroar in reply to humanbean]

That’s interesting humanbean didn’t know about that. Do you know why?

[Humphre in reply to janeroar]

No?

[Zmalp]

One of my husband’s early symptoms was the most horrendous snoring. It completely stopped when he went gluten-free. It used to start up again if he accidentally ate gluten.

The dietitian was baffled. In retrospect, I think it may have been causing swelling in his thyroid as it used to cause an autoimmune flare.

[Humphre in reply to Zmalp]

I start a gluten, dairy & soya free diet at end of August according to my husband I'm probably worse than I've ever been not just snoring but blowing, did wonder if it's when I do get too hot🤔 or I sigh. I do sleep very deep & have very detailed dreams. If I get off if not I can't sleep & hearing his snores 😂 thanks

[arTistapple]

I have a CPAP machine. I was so against it at the start. It took a bit of getting used to. I was not snoring but something was definitely interfering with my sleep. When tested I was having ‘incidents’ 47 or so times an hour. Effectively woken nearly every minute of ‘sleep’. It’s definitely a hypo thing. A mixture of ineffective breathing muscles and being overweight. Like you it’s insulting to have that put to you when hypothyroid, unable to exercise effectively and eating normally. My fatigue levels have improved, not nearly as much as I would like, but a distinct improvement.

[Humphre in reply to arTistapple]

Thanks for sharing your journey I now understand I've to go to doctors so I'll action that today I'm still learning all that can affect me. 👍

[janeroar]

I’m wondering whether trying some breathing exercises might help? With practice it will initially have a good effect on your nervous system but over time it will strengthen your lungs and reduce apnea. There are different types of exercises. If you want more information you are welcome to PM me.

[CernCrystal]

Hi, had Thyroidectomy and on removal it was discovered to be far bigger than the MRI - only done on throat - had shown as it grown down into my chest and was compressing my lungs which was misdiagnosed as asthma. I also had bad sleep apnoea (from damage and being overweight) and have a CPAP machine which I love - it has totally changed my life - brought back libido, I have great sleep and feel so much younger (it was also a life saver when I had really bad Covid). It does take getting used to and new machines are really quiet. It didn't change my weight but following advice on here, cutting out gluten and a lot of carbs (while being on correct dose of Levo and good supplementing) has enabled me to have more energy to exercise and the weight is steadily dripping off - even when I don't exercise.

Do check out sleep clinic (partner too if he snores - reducing carbs may be effective for him too!) and ask for a different Dr if poor relationship with current one. We have a right to be listened to and treated with respect. Best of luck with your journey!

[Humphre in reply to CernCrystal]

Oh wow what a journey, yes I'm realizing quite a lot of things by chatting here 👍 thanks

[Batty1]

Snoring could have many causes…. Nasal polyps, allergies, sleep apnea, Hypothyroidism with a side of sleep apnea and overweight … Everyone snores from time to time. My cholesterol has always been high even with crazy exercising but went insane when I became hypo but I also piled on the weight when I became hypo.

[cody_lamonica]

My sleep apnea (treated with CPAP) and subsequent snoring is horrific when I am hypo.

When I am correctly medicated (or in the vicinity) my number of nightly events (stop breathing events) reduces to close to zero - I rarely need the machine now.

[Ruby300]

Hi Humphre, 7 years ago my husband told me I snored really bad I just laughed it got to the stage he wasn’t getting any sleep I went to my GP she sent me to the hospital they put a monitor on me for 24 hours found out I had sleep apnea it was really bad. I use Cpap machine mind you it took me a very long time to get used to it but now I just get on with it wearing a mask at first it was awful not going to lie but you do get used to it because it will help you in the long run. Me and hubby do sleep in separate beds because I sleep certain way with the mask on I feel I need room 😂 I hope this will help you. All the best.

[Humphre in reply to Ruby300]

Thank you for sharing, I'm enjoying sleeping on my own, yes my husband isn't overly supportive. I'll see what happens at doc's.🤔