what thyroid or other tests will help in improving heart condition ?

[Mumsie22]

I’ve been hypothyroid for almost 20 years. Only treated / offered levothyroxine. Last full year reduced from 125 to 100 mg then in December gp wanted to go from 125 to 150( don’t think he realised I was on 100. Rang and eventually nurse rang and agreed to 125.

At same time having tests about long standing cough. X ray showed enlarged heart which had been mentioned in 22 but told not a problem. Asthma checks underway but no difference on spirometer 240-250.

Echocardiogram 2 weeks ago. Gp rang yesterday to say I needed to urgently see cardiologist to look deeper into heart issues. Letter sent straight to hospital which mentioned I have left ventricle hypertrophy. I have recorded as hypertension grade 2 on kardian machine.

I have appointment with cardiologist on 19 April.

I’m now aware of link between poor t3 and heart issues( although just learning).

What tests could I have done before my appointment that will be useful ( for me, even if cardiologist isn’t interested. )

What can I ask gp to do and what do I need myself ? I tried medichecks full thyroid but couldn’t get enough blood out of my fingers to fill the bottle. I can book a nurse to take bloods at hospital. Will that give me full picture or do I need others? Had started taking b complex, k2, vit d, and have 10 weekly b12 injections. I have ulcerative colitis so think this stops me absorbing vitamins as much as I should.

sorry it’s such a long post. Quite scared now as BHF nurse advised light activity only and kept saying she was so sorry.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

BEFORE consultation you want to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

Ideally it would be 6-8 weeks after latest increase in dose Levo

And BEFORE adding vitamin B complex

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

If you ordered test now, it should arrive before Monday. Do test early Monday morning. Test results should be back Thursday 18th

[Mumsie22 in reply to SlowDragon]

I haven’t taken b complex or anything apart from thyroxine and asocol since Sunday so should have week free of all vitamins before I test .

[arTistapple]

I am undergoing tests now for long-standing heart problems. I have done a lot of research on hypothyroidism and heart issues. Hypertrophy is certainly a problem for hypothyroids. Not sure you will find a cardiologist who will agree. Not sure you will find an endocrinologist who will agree either. None so blind as those who will not see. The research is there but no-one sees it, particularly in context.

I have just recently (after three years) been ‘granted’ a consultation with a UK endo who knows something about heart issues and thyroid. Whole thing is rather ironic really, because as far as treatment is considered via endocrinology, its very likely to be Levo only, which obviously I already take and with little effect on my hypothyroidism never mind my heart. IMO having had my heart problems for so long I probably need heart treatment even although hypo is the underlying problem.

Proving anything to NHS, especially with hindsight is a complete uphill effort.

Brick walls at every turn. Good luck.

[Mumsie22]

is it a waste of time then getting private testing done? What will it help me to understand? Thanks

[arTistapple in reply to Mumsie22]

Knowledge is power. It’s difficult to ask for anything if you don’t have facts/results to help you find out what questions you need to ask in the first place. So far it’s frustrating for me because our medics are non-believers when it comes to what the patient says. However depending on what your ‘problem’ turns out to be you can have some power over what you agree to.

I have found ‘heart issues’ is a very nervous place. I had to give up on the Heart Forum because everyone was so scared there and I found it ‘catching’.

I have come to the conclusion that it’s likely too late for T3 (for example) to be the total magic bullet for me. However I now know a lot about medics I did not know before. Unfortunately mostly about how unreliable their breadth of knowledge is and how they run for cover when confronted with information that has never crossed their minds. How political with a small ‘p’ the whole arrangement is. How inaccurate their drug regimes are and often based on levels of ignorance.

I have probably been hypothyroid for many years. It’s perhaps been a longer slowdown than many sufferers. I experienced an MI twenty plus years ago. I am very familiar with the shortcomings of our medical profession. It’s just more of the same really.

However I intend to make the best of it with myself having some say in my future. I need knowledge and blood test results to put my case forward. If we could trust our medics it would make life so much easier. In my experience we can’t - not even the ones who mean well.