Hemorrhoids from higher cholesterol: I thought I... - Thyroid UK

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Hemorrhoids from higher cholesterol

SteveT3 profile image
15 Replies

I thought I'd ask if this is common for other people. I suspect my Hemorrhoids have got quite bad as a result of slightly underactive thyroid. My cholesterol is mildly high - 5.7 when it should be below 5.

Also I have gilberts syndrome which is high bilirubin. When I fasted or went more than 6 hrs without food for several days my Hemorrhoids seem to get much worse. I suspect its due to slowed peristalsis. Since I've been eating more regularly its improved a bit.

I run a lot too and when I do a long fast run like 10 miles or half marathon it really flares up.

I've been looking to try to get rafaelo treatment because the standard hemorrhoidectomy has like 1 - 2 months of pain and recovery.

Anyone going through this? any suggestions?

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SteveT3 profile image
SteveT3
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15 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

If your cholesterol is high, then your FT3 is probably too low for you. High cholesterol is a symptom, not a disease and it's usually due to low T3. Do you ever get your FT3 tested?

I have never heard of high cholesterol causing hemorrhoids, though. How would that work? Are you constipated? If your FT3 is low then you probably are.

As a hypo, you really shouldn't be fasting. You need those calories to convert T4 to T3. You need all your nutrients to be optimal. So, if your thyroid hormones aren't optimal then you need to eat more and run less, I'm afraid.

SteveT3 profile image
SteveT3 in reply to greygoose

High cholesterol leads to artery plaque build up. Which is why I suspect underactive thyroid to contribute to it.

Yes my T3 is in range but low end. I have high tpo and high antithyroglobulin. So I suspect within 10 years my thyroid will get worse from hashimotos. Meanwhile since my thyroid is within range doctors aren't going to prescribe me thyroid medication. I just have to make do. Yes I have no intention to fast. Its more of a consequence of being busy and leaving it too long to eat.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to SteveT3

High cholesterol leads to artery plaque build up.

No, not true. It doesn't. Cholesterol is found in the arteries of heart attack victims because it is natures sticking plaster. When inflammation damages arteries, cholesterol comes along and covers the wound until it heals. When it is healed, the cholesterol is absorbed into the artery wall - which is made of cholesterol, anyway.

A hemorrhoid is a strained blood vessel - like an over-stretched balloon - full of blood. Not quite the same thing. But, could be indirectly caused by being hypo all the same.

You're right that with Hashi's, things are only going to get worse. Unfortunately, doctors don't seem to understand that nipping it in the bud is the best policy. They go wittering on about subclinical blah blah blah, leaving the patient suffering and getting worse. So many other complaints could be avoided if they would only get off their high horses and do something!

Meantime, I would advise plenty of vit C, and some magnesium citrate, to ease the passage through the gut and releive the strain on the hemorrhoids. Not a lot you can do about the low T3 without thyroid hormone replacement, though. And make sure you eat regularly and enough! :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

you say

result of slightly underactive thyroid.

Previous post here with full results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Shows your thyroid is struggling

High cholesterol directly linked to being hypothyroid, especially low Ft3 (active hormone)

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.

Constipation as result of being hypothyroid

As you are taking vitamin D are you also taking daily magnesium supplement ……

Calm vitality magnesium powder (magnesium citrate) extremely effective at improving constipation

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine (once you get prescribed)

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

SteveT3 profile image
SteveT3

Yeah thanks I take magnesium and it helps but only so much. I cant take too much or I feel my heart rate go lower than it already is.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to SteveT3

Does your fitness watch record lowest heart rate at night

If regularly dropping under 50 this is good indicator that you need starting on Levo

Gather up digital evidence, print out and take to next consultation

SteveT3 profile image
SteveT3 in reply to SlowDragon

Yeah my heart rate is typically 44. Has gone as low as 40 but that was because I took magnesium and tulsi at night. Normally I just take one or the other.

Thanks. Will do

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to SteveT3

So this is more clear evidence of already being hypothyroid

Many many hashimoto’s patients have sluggish or poorly responding TSH

In part thyroid levels hop about so much TSH gives up responding

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

exercise will deplete Ft3 making you more hypothyroid and more constipated

Retest thyroid at least every 6 months

Perhaps look for different endocrinologist who will treat the person not just look at TSH

SteveT3 profile image
SteveT3 in reply to SlowDragon

yeah but exercise makes me feel wonderful. Not something I'm going to give up even if it kills me because life without it was depressing and dull.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

last test

(6 hrs fasting, taken 1130am)

- Tsh 4.16 (0.5 - 5.5)

- T4 15.6 (11.9 - 21.6)

- T3 3.88 (3.1 - 6.8)

If you had tested earlier between 8-9am TSH might well have been over 5.5

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart

Two tests with TSH over 5, and high antibodies and symptoms…..you should get started on levothyroxine

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

SteveT3 profile image
SteveT3 in reply to SlowDragon

Interesting. Great article. Thanks. I have another thyroid test booked for 6 months so I will plan to fast and get the test earlier on that day.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to SteveT3

Meanwhile maintain GOOD vitamin levels

If not already on gluten free diet get coeliac blood test first before considering trial

Mostew profile image
Mostew

Don't give up exercise. But listen to your body. You have already observed effect of long run . How about finding out what you can do without negative consequences?

SteveT3 profile image
SteveT3 in reply to Mostew

true

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