High Cholesterol

[RedorBed]

Hi everyone, this is my first post.

I have been experiencing symptoms of underactive thyroid and requested a blood test to look into it (this was done 2 days ago).

I got a text message last night saying my routine blood test shows I have high cholesterol and advise going on statins.

No mention of my thyroid results or anything else, so I'm guessing it's a routine text they send to anyone over the normal limit.

Obviously I will be contacting the dr for more information, but just wondered if anyone experienced high cholesterol caused by underactive thyroid and if thyroid medication reduced cholesterol levels without needing statins.

Thank you

[DippyDame]

Raised cholesterol is a symptom of hypothyoidism.

My level dropped to satisfactory once I became correctly medicated

I would check tnyroid hormone levels rather than start statins!

thyroiduk.org/related-condi...

Ask reception at your surgery for a print out of your results....you are legally entitled to do so.

If you post them here we will be able to analyse them for you and offer advice

We're all here to help....just ask.

[Forestgarden]

Bloody statins! Its depressingly astonishing how readily gps are willing to hand out statins like sweeties but won't give us the actual hormones we need. (Yes, I know its all about money...)

[Doris11]

Hi there I was offered statins when my Cholesterol went up slightly! I refused ❤️

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First step

See EXACTLY what has been tested

Was thyroid test done early morning?

Ideally before 9am and only drink water between waking and test

High cholesterol is frequently linked to being hypothyroid

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

[SlowDragon Administrator]

GP unlikely to test more than TSH ….possibly Ft4

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 TPO and/or high TG 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.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

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

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

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG 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

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

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

[RedorBed]

Thank you all very much for your advice and information, it's much appreciated. I will come back when I have my full blood test results and see where to go from there.

[Batty1]

Sadly Doctors only care about what they know which is Cholesterol because it’s easier for them to deal with then thyroid.

[EMBoy]

My cholesterol was high when I was first diagnosed and as usual, my GP wanted to give me statins. I refused, and didn't change my diet or anything. Cholesterol was back in normal range within a few months of starting treatment.