statins

[Tabitha6]

I have recently been prescribed Atorvastatin due to 8.4 cholesterol. Had thyroidectomy 20 years ago. Been on 75mg thyroxine for some time. Had some blood results for cholesterol and noticed that my tsh has increased to 2.75 .. normally is suppressed at 0.003 approx. Trying to get bloods done for T4 etc but would be grateful for any thoughts . Thank you.

[TiggerMe]

You might want to take a listen to this... healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Your TSH is too high and suggests you need an increase and this is the reason your cholesterol level has risen

[Tabitha6 in reply to TiggerMe]

Thank you .. very interesting!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Would push to get thyroid levels optimal FIRST

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.

75mcg is low dose levothyroxine unless you are extremely petite

High TSH suggests you need next dose increase in Levo to 100mcg

Retest levels 6-8 weeks later

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 too

What vitamin supplements are you taking

[Tabitha6 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your advice. I had my endo appointment.. he increased my thyroxine dose to 100/75 alternate days, see again in 3 months. One thing I’m confused about… when I asked him about the nhs article re statins he said “ you’re not hypothyroid, having no thyroid is a different thing”. Doesn’t having low thyroxine levels mean the same thing? Or at least require the same treatment??

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tabitha6]

you’re not hypothyroid, having no thyroid is a different thing”. Doesn’t having low thyroxine levels mean the same thing? Or at least require the same treatment??

Yes …of course it does

If you’re on inadequate dose levothyroxine you will have lingering hypothyroid symptoms

[Tabitha6 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. Hopefully the increased dose will reduce my cholesterol and I won’t have to take the statins. 🤞

[Tabitha6 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I hope this isn’t a silly question…During my appointment the endocrinologist said that hypothyroidism and having no thyroid were different things. But surely the treatment is the same when blood tests indicate thyroxine levels are low?

[Tabitha6]

I’m having bloods taken this week and seeing endocrinologist too. I have been a bit lax with vitamins but usually use Better You vitamin D spray, and igennus B complex and do have B12 injections monthly. Recently bereaved and had lots going on but now feeling more able to address my results. Pretty sure I know what endo will say. …. I’m a poor converter but he won’t agree to give me T3 so we’ll probably have our normal conversation! I’ll get a thyroxine increase, become hyper, need a reduction and so it goes on!

Thank you for your good advice as usual.