Blood Pressure Medication

[nightingale-56]

Unfortunately I now have to start BP medication and GP can only seem to find capsules. As I have problems with Acacia Powder and Cellulose and these seem to be in all BP medication, GP has not found me ones I can take after seeming to look for the last fortnight. Is there anyone on this forum who have this medication that does not contain these excipients. I would be grateful for any information on this subject.

I am taking compounded NDT from Roseway Labs with a private prescription, and all my labs are:-

TSH - 0.408 (0.27 - 4.2)

Free T3 - 5.6 (3.1 - 6.8)

Free T4 - 22.1 (12 - 22) usually around 16.

For the first time since I started on thyroid meds (Levothyroxine) and since I have been on NDT (2018) my Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies are raised - 92.2 (0 - 34).

Vitamin B12 -150 (37.5 - 180)

Vitamin D - 260 (50 - 250) ( this is only on 1/2 dose of Vit D drops)

Ferritin 97.8 (30 - 650)

Folate - failed (probably as this was only a finger prick test - I don't usually do this, but wrong test kit sent).

Thank you for any help.

[arTistapple]

I take Amlodipine tablets. I have no idea about the many BP meds I have previously tried, as to excipients perhaps being the cause I could not take them. This excipient stuff is new to me. Before the forum I did not question these things, I just knew they disagreed. Best check Amlodipine tablets for yourself online.

[nightingale-56 in reply to arTistapple]

Thank you for replying arTistapple . I have already checked this one and it is no good for me.

[wimpyshrog]

Hi nightingale-56, I don't think you mentioned either what tablets you are taking or what your GP intends to try but I have had high blood pressure since I was around my early 30's, I am now 62. From the start I have always been on Atenolol which is a beta blocker and has always been in tablet form. I have never had a problem with it but I suppose it will vary from person to person. My husband has developed high blood pressure later in life but he can't take beta blockers because he has asthma. The contents are (fillers) heavy magnesium carbonate (E504), maize starch, sodium starch glycolate (Type A), colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulphate, magnesium stearate (E470b), polyethylene glycol 600, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (E464), titanium dioxide (E171), purified talc (E553b). Phew what a mouthful, copied off my current information leaflet fresh out of a new box of tablets. Hubby takes Losartan & Amlodipine, both are in tablet form but both contain microcrystalline cellulose. Hope this helps.

[nightingale-56 in reply to wimpyshrog]

Hi wimpyshrog , thanks for your information, but it Atenolol appears to have a form of cellulose in it, so that is out. It does also have rather a lot of other nasties in it. GP originally gave me Losartan, but this has acaica ( my real problem) and cellulose in it. My husband takes Amlodipine and that has it in as well. So many BP tablet, capsules seem to have acacia powder and cellulose in them these days. Thanks for your information. I'll keep looking as don't seem to get any help from surgery.

[helvella in reply to nightingale-56]

There are several formulations of Atenolol, and (at least) one contains neither cellulose nor acacia.

The tablets also contain maize starch, heavy magnesium

carbonate, gelatin, magnesium stearate and sodium lauryl

sulphate.

mhraproducts4853.blob.core....

No idea about availability!

This search will find all Patient Information Leaflets for all current Atenolol products in the UK:

products.mhra.gov.uk/search...

Obviously, you can change the search for other medicines.

[nightingale-56 in reply to helvella]

Thank you so much for posting this information helvella . I am absolutely disgusted that my GP Surgery cannot be more helpful and are prepared to let me suffer any bad consequences. Thank goodness for this forum, and we are lucky to have such Admins as yourself.

[wimpyshrog in reply to nightingale-56]

Sorry nightingale, didn't see cellulose mentioned on my info sheet so thought you'd be ok with that.

[nightingale-56 in reply to wimpyshrog]

It creeps in everywhere wimpyshrog .

[Hidden]

Hi. Have you heard of Hawthorn Berry supplements? Hawthorn is an excellent, healthy alternative to prescription BP medication without all the nasty side effects. It really works to lower blood pressure. I used it when my blood pressure spiked during difficulties with one of my NDT batches. It lowered my BP to a safe level after being dangerously high.

[nightingale-56 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden I haven't tried it yet and have only recently seen it, also beetroot tablets, so I must look into this further. For now I have just raised my magnesium. You have given me food for thought as I am on NDT! My labs are quite good though apart from a slightly high FT4. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to nightingale-56]

You're very welcome!

[nightingale-56 in reply to Hidden]

My private Endocrinologist has said not to worry about the slightly high FT4 as both TSH and FT3 are in a good place. You mentioning NDT has made me keep an eye on this, but it is the first time it has been high. Also for the first time ever my TGab has been a little high and as I have terrible Sciatica at the moment am also wondering if it could be anything to do with this.

[Hidden in reply to nightingale-56]

Hi. You mentioned that you take a compounded version of NDT from Roseway Labs. Can I ask what NDT it is? I have previously tried Erfa (not compounded), from Roseway, but felt strange, not in a good way on that. I then, returned to Thyroid S, but have had issues with various batches, so it has been pretty hit or miss. You say, you have issues with cellulose which is in most meds, including Thyroid meds... Do you get gastric issues with it? I have recently had increased gastrics and awful painful trapped wind starting at my throat down my oesophagus. I find drinking near boiling water and a hot water bottle helps relieve it. I don't get indigestion/heartburn, just the wind and grindy belly with bloating. I have been on a gluten free diet for years, so it's not gluten, unless something like cellulose acts like gluten. Thyroid S has been reformulated and the manufacturer won't publish the exact ingredients, but they claim it's gluten free. Have you felt much better on the compounded version? Thanks, I know this isn't about your BP question, but it triggered my interest 🤔😊

[nightingale-56 in reply to Hidden]

Erfa definitely felt odd to me and I could taste a type of grease (engine oil) taste> I did not last long on it. I now have compounded NDT with ground rice as a filler in a capsule. I take the NDT with rice filler out of the capsule and drink with a glass of water. It is not too bad at diluting with water. No gastric problems as such, but do get reflux if my dose is too low. Good at moment. My problem was, I and my LD Son were damaged by Mercury Pharma (positive it was the Acacia Powder as side effects pointed to this. Since then cellulose also seems to be a problem. I really felt my best on WP Thyroid from RLC Labs, but that is no longer made. Not feeling too bad on Roseway Compounded NDT, but not as good as WP Thyroid.

[Hidden in reply to nightingale-56]

Thank you, I may have to look into that. All the best with finding an effective BP treatment.

[Hidden in reply to nightingale-56]

Hi nightingale-56.

I contacted Roseway Labs and asked for the ingredients for the compounded NDT and this quote is from them. I didn't think cellulose was in the compounded form 🤔

"So the dosage forms for the NDT are Capsules / Slow-Release Capsules / Gut Release Capsules. The shelf life is 6 months and the ingredients are Micronised cellulose and fast green colour. If SR (slow release) + Hypromellose." (Roseway Labs)

I am confused, this seems more ingredients than the Erfa. How did you get yours formulated with rice filler rather than the cellulose? Thanks Appreciate your thoughts.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Isn't the cellulose referring to the capsule they put it in? So if you tip it out...

[Hidden in reply to TiggerMe]

Yes, but if you have issues tolerating cellulose, this would be a problem

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Ah, Nightingale seemed to get over this issue by tipping it into water

[nightingale-56 in reply to Hidden]

I just asked over the phone what fillers they could use. That is the point of having compounded medicine, it can be made to suit the patient. I just have ground rice and tip it in a glass and add cold water, It seems to dilute fairly well. It has a good effect on me.

[Hidden in reply to nightingale-56]

Thank you nightingale-56. If my issues with my ndt continue, I will look into a compounded type. Appreciate it!

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

How about rosehip syrup works much like hawthorn extract

[nightingale-56 in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks for the suggestion TiggerMe . This would also help in the Vit C stakes, and have definitely had that in the past with no untoward problems.

[Hidden in reply to TiggerMe]

That brings back memories 😄. I was given rosehip syrup for a sore throat as a child, all I remember, it tasted nice. I didn't know it is supposed to lower blood pressure, a nice alternative. Apparently, in Germany, doctors often prescribe Hawthorn instead of the undesirable conventional meds as it is supposed to be as effective. If this is definitely true, I think the NHS could take a leaf out the German health board book.

[nightingale-56 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hidden , Yes, Rosehip Syrup also brings back memories to me as a child as it was given at the Children's Clinics after the war. Coincidentally, my Son is under a German Doctor privately for a problem that should have been sorted by NHS about 5 years ago. His advice is good and he trained under my old Endocrinologist (NHS) in the old way that he treated Thyroid Labs. Will try the Hawtorn .

[nightingale-56]

Hi Margo , this is the post I mentioned about BP, so just drawing your attention to it.