Plant Sterols

[DoeStewart]

Hi everyone, so, I have had a telephone call from the pharmacist attached to my GP surgery this morning to discuss my recent blood test results. These bloods did not include thyroid as this was only tested last month and I received the results and all was ok. TSH 0.15/ T4 - 22.00/ T3 - 4.6I feel ok thyroid wise, however, my cholestrol was 6.7. I am going to make some life style changes but I asked the pharmacist about Plant Sterols, needless to say she didn't know anything about them and whether they work. I just wondered if any folk on the forum have used them with any success, Anyone who has had success can they recommend any particular brand/strength? Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

was thyroid test done as recommended 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)

What is the range on Ft3 ?

Assuming 3.1-6.8 ……Ft3 of 4.6 is low

Free T3 (fT3) 4.6 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 40.5%

Low Ft3 will result in increased cholesterol

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.

How much levothyroxine are you taking

How long on this dose

Looking on your profile you had massive dose reduction from 175mcg to 100mcg

Are you still only on 100mcg levothyroxine?

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

Reducing dose levothyroxine will result in low vitamin levels

It’s absolutely ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Aiming to maintain GOOD vitamin levels for good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone)

Vitamin D at least over 80nmol

Serum B12 over 500

Active B12 over 70

Folate top of range

Ferritin at least over 70 minimum

[DoeStewart in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon, thank you for your reply. Yes thyroid test was carried out as per our usual instructions, test was at 8:45am and levo not taken until after test. I am still on 100mcg Levothyroxine and feel quite well on this dose. I normally have either MP or Accord brand and I am happy with either. The range you have put for T3 sounds right, I haven't got it to hand at the moment but I'm pretty sure that was it. I have been advised before on the forum that I am not a good converter. I take vitamin D + K2, a B complex and magnesium - all brandsas recommended. Lastvitamin testing through Medichecks was last year.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DoeStewart]

vitamin levels a year ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Suggest that you retest before considering seeing an endocrinologist for T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3

Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations

thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

[DoeStewart in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much for your reply.

[DippyDame]

We really need reference ranges for results.

Do you adequately convert T4 to T3?

Is your FT4 high in range with FT3 relatively low?

While I absolutely think that hypothyroidism is a common cause of raised cholesterol... T3 quickly reduced my level.... my husband in good health and not hypothyroid, had very slightly raised cholesterol. He refused statins, we found the following which quickly solved the problem

healthspan.co.uk/plant-ster...

However, my first choice would be to ensure correct and optimal thyroid replacement hormones.....particularly T3

[DoeStewart in reply to DippyDame]

Thank you for your reply. Sorry, I dont have ranges to hand, I know my TSH was under range and my T4 was right at the top of the range, I remember that was 11 - 22 and mine was 22. My T3 is never at the top nor in the top third of the range and never has been in the 35 years I've been hypothyroid. I'll be honest, after reading other peoples experiences of visiting an Endo, some of them private I don't know whether I want to go down that road - it's just a fight and they have ended up with nothing. I have had the Thyroid UK list of endos and there isn't one that is a reasonable distance from me(I don't drive). Maybe I'll have to consider buying my own T3 depending on the cost? I'll look at getting my levels tested privately again as GP doesn't test anything except TSH and because mine was under range also T4 was tested. The T3 was tested at a recent hospital visit where I was sent for my extremely high blood pressure Thank you for the recommendation of plant sterols.

[DoeStewart in reply to DippyDame]

Sorry DippyDame, I replied to you and then remembered my thyroid results were on my NHS app and I now have these as follows:-TSH 0.48. ( Range 0. 30 to 5.50)

Free T3 4.2 ( Range 3.1 - 7.0)

Free T4 22.7 ( Range 11.5 - 22.7)

On the app it shows my FT3 results going back to 2004 and they were higher in 2016 and 2017 at 5.2 but previous to those years and since 2018 they have been in the 4 point something range.

[DippyDame]

As I suspected your FT3 is far too low....this will cause cholesterol to rise.

We aim to have both Frees roughly approaching 75% through their respective ranges.....

Your results...

FT4 is 100% thro' the ref range

FT3 28.21% ditto.

Your T4 to T3 conversion is poor....high FT4 with low FT3

For good health every cell in the body needs to be flooded with T3 by way of an adequate and constant supply....this is not happening for you.

Long term high /over range FT4 is not advisable....it can cause other health issues including a possible increased risk of cancer. Your FT4 is at the top of the range

Have you optimised vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin to support thyroid function

Adding a little T3 to your levo should help

Request an appointment with an endo on the basis that your conversion is poor and consequently your FT3 is too low and is giving rise to various symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Or you could buy T3 and add it yourself....many of us do this!

Having now seen your lab results...in your shoes I'd be looking at adding T3

I'm not a medic....just another patient who has had to learn, to recover

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

[DoeStewart in reply to DippyDame]

Thank you for your reply. I honestly think I have no chance of getting T3 prescribed but would be willing to purchase for myself. Maybe I should put up a new post asking where I can purchase it from?

[Batty1]

You Might be better off asking about plant sterols in the Cholesterol group.

[DoeStewart in reply to Batty1]

Thank you for your reply, I have had a few messages regarding the plant sterols with recommendations.