low TSH higher cholesterol

[Day-skipper]

I had a blood test via my GP and my Cholesterol has risen to 6.7, but my TSH has remained Very low at 0.02. I am on 100mcg Levo and generally feel fine if a little tired all the time. I had a phone consult with someone who I have never met, and declined statins and a reduction in levothyroxine. My T3 and T4 are in range. I then had a second blood test and have been asked to make another appointment where I feel sure they will pressure me to alter my meds. Using the 1.6 mcg to kilo of weight ratio, my dosage should be slightly higher at perhaps an extra 25 mcg every other day. My father was unwell on statins so I am anti. Should I increase my levo and still refuse statins as it seems that would be logical for me. My diet is healthy, although I am not totally gluten free, I don’t buy or eat much bread but do cook from scratch.

[TiggerMe]

Have you any recent full thyroid panel results you can share?

It certainly sounds like a little tweak up of your T4 would be more beneficial than statins!

[Forestgarden]

You really need to know your ft4 and ft3, not just your tsh, before you make any adjustments to your levo. My cholesterol is also high and is a direct consequence of low ft3 levels, and, no, I would not consider statins either.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

also ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels common on levothyroxine and more common as we get older

When were these last tested

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Never agree to dose reduction without getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing FIRST

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)

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

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we need GOOD vitamin levels

High cholesterol suggests your Ft3 is low

[Day-skipper in reply to SlowDragon]

I take bit D and B12 now. Last ferritin test was in 2022. And well above range. I’ll organise another private test to get latest readings. Thanks

[Day-skipper]

THS 0.02. Range 0.3 - 4.8

T4. 16.1. Range 7.7 - 20.6

T3. 6.8 pmol range 4.2 - 6.9

Cholesterol HDL. 2.8

Serum LDL 3.6

Serum cholesterol. 6.4 mmol

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Day-skipper]

Was this test on just 100mcg levothyroxine

Your Ft3 is higher % than Ft4

You’re not also taking any T3 or NDT?

Get vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies tested

[Day-skipper in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, 100mcg thyroxine (teva) only

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Day-skipper]

Do you always get Teva?

Teva doesn't suit some people....for others its by far the best

[Day-skipper in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m beginning to put weight on again albeit slowly, can’t seem to get any off

[Beads in reply to Day-skipper]

Ahh, this seems to be a recurring theme here, high cholesterol, but it’s because the HDL, the good cholesterol, is higher than normal. Someone else in the last couple of weeks posted similar results, mine are also similar, a high HDL puts the total cholesterol too high and the docs panic and suggest statins.

Hubby’s though, he doesn’t have thyroid issues, his cholesterol is slightly high, 5.8 I think it was. They pushed statins on him, but he hasn’t taken them, reduced it to 5.4 by diet. But when you look at his separate levels, the HDL is very low, so his cholesterol levels are higher of the bad types.

Maybe we need a poll or something, getting a consensus of what our ‘high’ cholesterol levels look like, or a spreadsheet with comparisons. Who did the B vitamin comparison a few months ago? Will they compile the data?

[Catseyes235]

I’m also 74 and have had thyroid probs since my twenties. My TSH has been around 0.1 or lower but experienced hypo symptoms when asked to reduce thyroxine after which I had a stroke 4 years ago with high cholesterol and BP and was put on high dose of statins which I’ve now halved. I’m back on higher thyroxine and thanks to an Endo I’m on small amount of T3 too. I’m not going to stop taking statin now as I don’t feel they are harming me on the low dose. I really don’t want to risk another stroke! Good luck!