I had a thyroidectomy in 1984, to remove benign growths. The surgeon said about 25% thyroid remained, but he thought I would not need subsequent medication. I was not told to have regular thyroid function tests, and carried on with my busy life. After unrelated throat surgery in 1997, my consultant asked if I was annually tested for thyroid function, and as I replied in the negative, urged me to get GP to do so. GP Practice seemed reluctant, but eventually agreed, and I've had tests intermittently since 2001. Apparently, although I was not informed, my results have been 'borderline' for at least 7 years. Annual health checks from 2015 indicated rise in cholesterol ( it has gradually increased from 5.2 in 2004 to 6.00 in 2017, and has been a steady 6.6 ever since ) so I have been put under pressure to go on statins. As a very healthy active female, with an excellent diet, who comes from a very longlived family ( 3 generations, both maternal and fraternal,well into their 90's) with no history of stroke or cardiovascular issues, I have consistently declined statin medication. In 2023 , I began to feel very tired, depressed ( both totally uncharacteristic) my nails brittle, cramp in legs and arms periodically etc, I consulted my GP. He pointed out that I had been subclinical hypothyroid for some time ( news to me !) and perhaps because of my age (77) my thyroid was failing. TSH test in March 2023 was 5.74, but I hadn't been contacted, as I had not complained of any symptoms. When I pointed out I hadn't got much thyroid gland left ( he didn't know that, although it's in my history ) he said I was lucky to have got through 40 years without medication, and ordered tests which showed TSH at 5.90, free T4 at 10.3. He prescribed 50mcg Levothyroxine per day, saying it may have to be increased. No T3 results are on my record. Next test September 23 showed TSH at 1.7, so I thought I was doing well. Last month I began to feel tired and depressed again, so booked my annual review full spectrum blood tests. I took advice from this site, and made certain it was a fasting test at 8 am with no meds. All results were fine, cholesterol at 6 .6 same as last few years , but TSH had risen to 2.69. No T4 provided. The only response from GP Practice via text message was to urge statins on me. When I responded by quoting NHS guidelines re hypothyroidism, and said I was more concerned my TSH had risen, text response was that TSH was well within guidelines, but if my symptoms persisted, I should ask for another thyroid function test in 3 months. Can you please advise me ? I don't want my symptoms to get worse, and I've no intention of taking statins.
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lalage1979
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Test at 9am, 24 hours after last levo dose and at least an hout away from food and drinks
50mcg is only a starter dose which should be followed by a further test in 6 weeks....this test/ increase should be repeated until symptoms are relieved and Frees roughly 75% through the reference range with TSH close to 1.
Raised cholesterol is a symptom of undermedication/ hypothyroidism but should fall with correct medication....and certainly no statins
Thank you. Will organise test via link. But how do I get a GP who is convinced I'm perfectly medicated to increase my medication and take this seriously ? I have been able to access my B12, Folate and ferritin results. Serum Ferritin 274. B12/Folate 430.
Once you have the results of a private test request an appointment with an endocrinologist.
If GP refuses then complain to the Practice Manager that despite presenting with numerous symptoms of hypothyroidism and test evidence ((hopefully!)of low thyroid hormone you are being refused further investigation.
"Borderline" is not an accurate diagnosis....particularly when you are symptomatic and without 75% of your thyroid gland
If you were "perfectly medicated" you would be symptom free!
Vitamin D is likely too low it needs to be over 100 nmol/L to support thyroid function
I'm aged 78 and would not accept a vague comment like, "and perhaps because of my age (77) my thyroid was failing"
If your thyroid is failing, as what's left of it must be, then it's his job to confirm that and to treat you with adequate replacement thyroid hormone
Your GP's knowledge of thyroid disease is poor....not unusual.
I wasn’t aware that raised cholesterol was a symptom of hypothyroidism! My readings have been going up since I had my last surgery and ultimately RAI, I found that out very recently from my new gp after he suggested I start statins. What are the NHS guidelines on that?
Appropriate thyroid medication for hypothyroid patients will lower cholesterol....it did for me!
The NHS push statins but seem to avoid thyroid issues
Your GP may be better advised to ensure your thyroid hormone replacement is adequate ( if he is capable of doing this correctly) than prescribing statins.
It sounds as if you are undermedicated....possibly low FT3
My last Tsh was 0.15 and my gp wants to reduce my dose, I’m on 100 for 5 days and 75 for 2, he wants to reduce to 75 everyday , he hasn’t tested for t3/4 so I want to see him armed with info.
TSH is not a reliable marker for dosing....despite what the NHS claim.
It is a pituitary, not a thyroid hormone and was originally developed only to test for hypothyroidism.....high(ish) TSH. It has been tweaked as a quick(lazy!) way to adjust. dosing
I’ve already mentioned T3 and 4 to my gp and his reply was that they only test them if the TSH is out!! He was quite adamant that he will only test if I’m high or low, it’s very hard trying to persuade doctors but I’ll keep at it .
Hi lalage1979❤️Yes.... Statins... 🙄... Before I was EVENTUALLY diagnosed with HYPERthyroidism (graves thyrotoxicosis) I'd been having fast heartbeats along with bad palpitations and skip/missed beats.
I'd been going back and forth to my gp with what were obviously overactive thyroid symptoms but for some reason he just couldn't put the symptoms together, so instead he sent me to a cardiologist (more wasted nhs money 🙄) right away he tried to pescribe statins.
I asked "why I would need to be on such a drug" , he said "because you have a problem with your heart" what's the problem I asked, "how can you tell I have a problem? You haven't even performed any tests", I refused the statins and were told "well if you have an heart attack that will be your own fault" 😯 it turned out my fast heartbeats and palpitations were caused by my condition HYPERTHYROIDISM yet this cardiologist didn't want to look at the cause, only wanted to pescribe the statins... I'm glad I told him not to bother doing the prescription 👍👍 that said no gp or endocrinologist questioned this 🤦
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