Hi everyone just had yearly bloods done again with GP results have come back my as follows
Tsh 6.04 U/L
T4 15.8pmol/L
GFR 55mL/min/1.73m says wants me to discuss ACEi/ARB
Serum total cholesterol level 6.9mmol/ L
Triglycerides1.7mmol/L
HDL cholesterol 1.25mmol/L
LDL 4.9 mmol/L
HDL cholesterol ratio 5.5
Se non HDL cholesterol level 5.7
Few other concerning results in blood counts too some higher than should be some lower. I have high cholesterol despite following a reasonably healthy diet and I exercise 4/5 times a week I’m not over weight. My GP discussed me going on statins last year but I said no now my cholesterol is higher than last year and they have again asked me to make an appointment to discuss this and something for my kidney function too. I feel totally well other than this which is now worrying me I’m 61 in March and don’t know what to do. I have been on Levothyroxine for around 20 years the latest test you can see for my tsh is very high it is normally satisfactory but I was tested at a totally different time of day than I have been before. Thanks in advance for any help. 😊
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We always advise you take the first test of the day (ie before 9am) as TSH is highest then (this is a patient to patient tip, not one recommended by GPs!) What time was your latest test?
TSH should always be under 2 (with most members reporting they feel best when it’s under 1), so likely you will need an increase in Levothyroxine. What is your current Levo dose? How long have you been taking this dose?
Do you have test results for FT3 or key thyroid vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D)? If your GP is unable to complete these (eg if TSH/ FT4 are within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:
Hi Buddy195 and Slowdragon thanks for your response I have never had my T3 tested or my vitamin levels I do take vit D3 everyday. Also I have never been told to do the test on an empty stomach (although I have sometimes had an empty stomach because I do fast some days ) but I have always also taken my Levo before going for my test I was never told not to. The last set of results I had were taken at 3:15pm too which is also unusual as I normally do go in the mornings. After reading some of the posts on here I feel like the GP’s don’t really understand the thyroid at all just maybe the basics until I was diagnosed over 20 years ago I had never heard of it to be honest 😂 I am more worried about my kidney function too but as you say until my thyroid levels are ok I’m probably not going to get better. When I look through the tests over the years my kidney function has been going down each time and has only been flagged in the past year now I’m thinking maybe my thyroid levels have also been off for years because the test has been done with levo already present from taking it that particular day of the test. Thanks for the replies it means a lot to speak to people who understand my symptoms etc. 😊
I (like so many others here) have learned to be an advisor my own health by private testing, sharing results on the forum and following advice to optimise both thyroid medication & key thyroid vitamins. If you find a brand of Levo that works best for you, you can ask your GP to specify this on your prescription.
You mention referral to an endo to greygoose . Honestly, I would complete all mentioned tests first (as even endos can’t always get FT3 if FT4 within range). It’s also worth pointing out that it’s very much a lottery to find an endo knowledgeable about thyroid health and willing to treat on symptoms rather than TSH. Many endos are diabetes rather than thyroid specialists, so if you do want a referral, check the TUK list and ask members in a separate post for a recommendation in your area.
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.
Don’t be surprised if GP unaware of these connections
You need 25mcg dose increase in Levo
Retest again in 6-8 weeks
Meanwhile get vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels tested via GP
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune?
TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
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)
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)
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
Amzing how doctors are all over the slightest increase in cholesterol levels, yet ignore a TSH over six! Why? Money! It's more beneficial for them to prescribe statins than levo, it has nothing to do with your welfare. High cholesterol is not nearly as bad for you as high TSH!
Cholesterol levels have nothing to do with your diet, your exercise or you weight. It is made in the liver - because you need it - and the liver keeps levels stable by making less when you consume more, and vice versa. However, when T3 is low - as yours undoubtedly is - the body cannot process cholesterol correctly, and it tends to mount up in the blood.
But, don't worry about it. It's not going to give you a heart attack or a stroke, as doctors would have you believe. That's just propaganda to scare you into taking statins. Cholesterol is not your enemy, it is your friend. Without it, you would fall apart.
Hi Greygoose thanks for your reply I just needed reassurance that I’m doing the right thing refusing statins and not lining myself up for a heart attack. My GP never tests my T3 so I have no idea where its at can I just ask to be referred to a proper endocrinologist for better testing 😊
No, you're absolutely not setting yourself up for a heart attack - you'd be more at risk of that if you did take statins! You're doing what's best for your health.
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