Hi guys, So I have battled for as long as I've been underactive with high LDL cholesterol, high trigs too of 3. And by high I mean over 8. It is currently at 7.2.
I've read that high cholesterol is apparently directly linked to being on inadequate dose of levothyroxine and cholesterol levels will improve as levothyroxine dose increases.
I've been on on levo for over 7 years. Been on 150mcg for around 4 years now.
Felt unwell for many years but put it down to my fibro and osteo.
My cholesterol and trigs have been so high for years since being dx with hypo but the cholesterol never gets better unless I use statins. And I do not want to take them.
My diet is very good and I eat nothing really which would cause most of the LDL to be high.
Consultant once told me that I have genetic hyperlipidemia.
I personally believe it all went south once I was hypo. But my cholesterol never gets better.
So, am I still possibly undermedicated?
Or do I really need to to accept I will have to go back to statins?
Thank you for reading
My recent results are:
TSH 0.62
T4 total 139 ( 66 -181)
Free T4 19.03 (12 - 22)
Free T3 4.51 (3.1 - 6.8)
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Demitria
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I'm in a similar situation. No matter my diet, my cholesterol levels stay raised. I told the dietician it was probably linked to my low T3 level. She didn't even know they were linked. I've stopped worrying. My diet is good. My focus is on trying to improve my t3.
You've room to experiment with a small increase maybe add another 12.5mcg see if that gets your fT3 up a little higher, have you tried splitting your dose?.... how are your B12, folate, ferritin and Vit D?
I've read that high cholesterol is apparently directly linked to being on inadequate dose of levothyroxine and cholesterol levels will improve as levothyroxine dose increases.
Indirectly, yes. Levo is the thyroid hormone T4. T4 is basically a storage hormone that doesn't do very much until it is converted into T3, the active hormone. And, it's low T3 that causes hypo symptoms like high cholesterol. So, cholesterol levels will come down when your FT3 rises, but it's only going to rise if you're a good converter.
Free T4 19.03 (12 - 22)
Free T3 4.51 (3.1 - 6.8)
You are not a good converter. Your FT4 is 70.30% through the range. Your FT3 is only 38.11%. The difference between the two percentages should be much smaller.
Felt unwell for many years but put it down to my fibro and osteo.
But, it's more likely to be down to your low FT3, and so are your fibro and osteo.
the cholesterol never gets better unless I use statins. And I do not want to take them.
And nor should you take them. The cholesterol is not doing you any harm. The statins probably would. Artificially reducing cholesterol with statins can cause more harm than good. For one thing, your body is made of cholesterol so if you reduce it beyond a certain point, your body can no-longer repair and regenerate. Nor can it make sex hormones. Statins can also cause hormone-dependant cancers, and diabetes. And heart attacks!
My diet is very good and I eat nothing really which would cause most of the LDL to be high.
But, it has nothing to do with your diet. Cholesterol is made in the liver, and the liver does its best to keep levels stable. So, the more you ingest with your food, the less it makes, and vice versa. But, when T3 is low, the body cannot process cholesterol correctly, and it tends to build up in the blood.
Also, there is this false idea that if you have high cholesterol you need to cut fats your of your diet, which is just nonsensical because fat and cholesterol are two entirely different substances, and one does not magically turn into the other on eating. And your body needs fat - good fats like butter and olive oil - and depriving your body of them will lead to another set of problems.
Consultant once told me that I have genetic hyperlipidemia.
Well, they have to have these excuse that they learn by rote to explain everything. Doesn't necessarily mean it's true.
So, am I still possibly undermedicated?
Or do I really need to to accept I will have to go back to statins?
You're taking enough levo, but your body is not using it correctly and converting it into T3. So, what you need is some T3 added to your levo to raise your FT3. Increasing your levo is probably not a good idea.
But, no, you do not need to go back on statins. It's said that those with higher levels of cholesterol actually live longer than those that take statisn.
Hi Demitria . It's true that being hypothyroid can contribute to high cholesterol levels. Once treated optimally though you may find you still need statins if you want or need to keep the cholesterol levels down. I know this from experience, and like you I'd prefer not to take them. My cholesterol level was 14 (!) before I was diagnosed with hypo. I had awful hypo symptoms and TSH turned out to be over 160. No detectable T4. I was started on levothyroxine and a low dose statin which reduced both TSH and lipid levels to acceptable levels. I stopped the statin as I thought I probably didn't need it, but my cholesterol has been creeping up unfortunately. If your problem is genetic then your healthy diet won't make much difference to your cholesterol readings. It's a personal choice whether to take statins of course. You may want to discuss it further with your GP as your own personal situation, family history and preferences should be taken into account.
Thank you for all your responses. I am on my vitamins journey now and will be introducing a good b complex in a week. My vitamins were also low so am hoping to get them up as best I can. But started with Sublingual b12 last week. So am doing it all bit by bit.
As for bad conversion then I don't know what to do about this. I read so much about people introducing T3 but also hear how difficult it can be to source and expensive. Puts me off a lot if I'm honest. Unlikely I will get a doctor to refer me back to endo and even then I doubt an endo will prescribe it.
Maybe I should try though.
So I am optimising my vitamins over the next y months, remaining on my 150mcg levo and just keep hoping.
I read from people about how not to worry to much about the cholesterol etc but it is a worry for me because of the metabolic syndrome and I have family members (dad, mum, brother) who have been diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver, have had bypass in leg done etc.
So it seems to be a definite genetic trait.
On top of all that I was diagnosed with gallstones years ago and have developed pancreatitis once before. I've yet to have my gallbladder removed (long story)
So yes, I will remain to eat well to try and avoid the refined carbs and sats but genetics are just that. I just want to make sure I help myself as much as I can.
I had high cholesterol and triglycerides that normalised after I was correctly medicated on Levo. You still have high cholesterol means that you are under-medicated. Since your FT4 is OK but FT3 is low, probably a bit of T3 added to your medicines might help. Alternatively, you could increase your Levo dose. For me, FT4 is close to the high limit of normal and FT3 is normal and I feel fine. Others may know better but I don't think a high FT4 is problematic. It is the FT3 that matters as T4 is a storage harmone that is converted to T3 when needed.
Hi cholesterol is a symptom of thyroid mine usually 5 went up when I had no medication
Just had a test before I saw cardiologist it was 4 6 he wants me to take statins but I have to find one I can take I have a corn allergy found liquid rosemont he wants mine under 2
I don’t eat processed food high fat only use olive oil thyroid can cause lots of o problems x
I’m a bad converter of T4 to T3 I think my conversion is far worse than yours, I’ve been under range on my FT3 at times and I have lower end cholesterol and very low triglycerides… blood sugar high end but not pre diabetic.
I eat abundance of fats, all full fat diary, lard, coconut oil, avocado oil and olive oil I don’t consume excess amounts of sugar generally, but I am human and have few treats, but try to keep sugary foods as just that… most of my sugar comes from conversion of starches and of course my mobility not helping as I don’t use that glucose as I should.
If low FT3 was solely causing cholesterol problems well I’m definitely one to do that studies on…along with if fats cause cholesterol then I should be on that study too… I feel other things are at play… probably genetics.
Re my FT3 I’m at present looking at possibly oestrogen dominance or bad oestrogens blocking the conversion… I’ve developed gynaecological problems as in late perimenopause, I’m 57 and on hrt.
I had always suspected my thyroid but although the unanswered low FT3 didn’t move even juggling Liothyronine (T3) in to my regimen under endocrinologist.
Is there any possibility of pre/peri/post menopausal or other underlying hormone related issues?
Statins aren’t the answer and statically very few reap real benefits of taking according to cardiologists Dr Aseem Malholtra but for some they do work.
I’m curious re Methylation and detoxification of our used hormones but not clearing these well causing knock on problems eg inflammation and where we are more genetically predisposed, we end up with these pockets of problems not necessarily due to a another condition, although autoimmune disorders can cause more. I now have several unfortunately again is this due to this methylation issues… I enjoy the research anyhow… even if it doesn’t give me answers along the way.
My diet is pretty good and where I can add things to help I gave. May not notice much difference yet because too early.
I introduced a few brazil nuts to my diet daily and flaxseed sprinkled onto foods.
I've swapped bread for oat crackers and the like.
My vitamin results will get better over time I hope. Will no more in the new year.
My pockets of problems are
Metabolic syndrome
Fibromylagia
Osteo
Around the same time I was dx with hypo I was dx with metabolic syndrome. Almost certain the crash of the thyroid spiked the metabolic problems and high cholesterol.
But I will not know for sure unless I take T3 perhaps and not allow statins in me
My cholesterol has always been high even though I was super active with decent diet but the moment I lost my Thyroid my cholesterol went through the roof ..,, No amount of Thyroid medication including combo of T3/T4 has dropped it …. I manage to drop my LDL by 12 points by adding ground flaxseeds to my morning smoothies and even this took 2 months… Im not sure if my LDL has dropped more since then … I tried 3 different types of statins and all 3 caused me issues that I was not willing to live with.
I too have introduced flaxseed. And Brazil nuts. I will know more by the new year if my vitimin levels have got better. I am on the new journey with vitamins.
B12, then adding b complex soon. Also upped my vitimin D.
As for the cholesterol, I can only get the LDL down if I take statins or stay away from them and keep up with the good foods but try T3.
But I hear such contradicting stories. Some saying doesn't matter about the ldl or trigs.
My Trigs are low its my LDL that has skyrocketed…. The ground flaxseeds has definitely dropped my LDL by 12 points which to me is promising…. Another poster mentioned plant sterols for lowering cholesterol… I’m going to try that next along with ground flaxseed once I have another cholesterol test done.
I have high cholesterol - it's been over 8 several times I've tested it but it varies quite a lot and I don't pay much attention to it.
What I have been able to change with diet is my triglycerides. The less sugar and carbs I eat the lower my triglycerides. The more sugar and carbs I eat the higher my triglycerides.
Carbs that affect my triglycerides include potatoes, pasta, flour-based things e.g. biscuits, cakes.
You might like this picture, which I found informative - the person referred to in the picture is worth googling. But I will warn you that he isn't the most compelling speaker I've ever come across.
I eat granola, flaxseed mixed in. Brazil nuts 3 a day. Oat crackers, salads, Wholegrain crisps if I fancy a pack.
Try to avoid bread.
Pumpkin seeds as snack sometimes.
Dinners I am having trouble with more when it comes to being constantly healthy.
I drink a couple of green teas a day.
And lots of water.
I find it hard to be completely healthy all the time because I do struggle with standing for long periods preparing and cooking due to other health issues.
There appears to be very little fat and protein in your diet.
There are three macronutrients in the human diet - fats, protein, and carbohydrates. The only one that is theoretically optional is carbs, although people with thyroid disease find they need some carbs because if they eat too little carbs their T4 to T3 conversion suffers. Fats and protein are essential for everyone.
Good fats and oils, in my opinion, are those that people somewhere in the world would have recognised 200 years ago. The more modern fats and oils have often been developed in laboratories and then been produced in factories e.g. sunflower oil, vegetable oils and rapeseed oil.
I would mostly agree with the author of this link :
Just wondering gave you ever tried intermittent fasting to help metabolic syndrome at all?
A bit of a controversial area I think with those with thyroid, I have read/heard as it can raise cortisol but if done gradually it can help, but if go all guns blazing it won’t help though… it’s a very individual thing though not for all.
I love porridge but find if I eat oats etc without piling in protein nut butter seeds yoghurt I am actually hungry than if had none, as it spikes my blood sugar but contain beta glucans so help with cholesterol …. But so doe’s mushrooms, I’ve found having protein breaking my fast the days I do the best thing for hunger and blood sugar balance even full English for brunch … if I do eat breakfast … I make my own organic yoghurt get probiotics in too daily …I make my husband granola with coconut oil nuts and seeds and small amount of honey - not shop bought honey it’s from a local hive so not processed but honey is just sugar…so mine is a lot lower in sugar than shop bought and if he requires it sweeter he just adds fresh fruit then increasing his fibre too as prefer not to use much dried fruit as it’s naturally laden with more sugars, so other than Christmas in mince pies and cake we don’t have much of those.
Do you have or like salmon mackerel sardines etc or if don’t do you take omega 3 supplements but not ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) derived from nuts and seeds as you’ll be getting those I can see you’ve added Brazil ( selenium I’m guessing why added them in? ) it’s hard to equate how much selenium you are getting as modern farming practices deplete soils grown in and levels are often poorer than they used to be)….but the mist beneficial Omega 3s are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived from fish and seafood … although you can get supplements suitable for vegetarian and vegan as derived from algae… these are most beneficial for lower triglycerides, which I’ve read … Take a look at Nutritionist Dale Pinnock he has good book on Heart health and cholesterol… I have most of his books to be fair…he does go on about omega 3s a lot.
Omega 3s are usually very low or out of balance in many’s diet as usually we get omega 6 & 9s out of kilter
Omega 6 veg /seed oils are very much abundant in all processed foods so we consume too many so easy to get that balance out… we always try avoiding veg oil and opting for healthier fats in any products if possible… but I do have the odd handful of crisps 🫣🤣
Try to swap out veg/seed oils for cooking and in fatty fish is you are ok with fish are very good starters. Olive oils can be used in cooking not just as dressings…I’ve had to wean myself up to better extra virgin olive oils as really didn’t like them but totally fine for me now.
Sounds like you’re doing some changes already slow and steady is key …let them become habits before overwhelming yourself with lots of others and say introduce another healthy one in couple of weeks.
I agree with humanbean too little carbs can cause us problems too but we can pick better ones … we definitely need fats and protein… and fibre I’ll add to that.
No, I haven't tried intermittent fasting. I also read about omega 3 so will introduce more of that. I don't eat enough fish so I should at least take some omega 3.
I use cold pressed oil for cooking these days . A bit more expensive but worth it. .
And yes, slow and steady. Mainly to not overwhelm myself but like advised on here allow myself to see some benefits ot notice changes instead of apart everything all together. .
They've already started to become good habits so I am happy with that.
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Bergamot
T4 unchanging on Levothyroxine - is this normal?
test results
Blood results following increase in Levothyroxine dose
Hypo and statins
