Hashimotos and Hyperlipidemia

[MarnieB]

I was just reading a post on the forum from a person who is a poor converter of T3 to T4. Does anyone have any knowledge whether this would apply to someone having been diagnosed by a specialist hospital clinical biochemist with Hyperlipidemia?

[greygoose]

Hi MarnieB, sorry you haven't had any responses, but I don't think it's very clear what you're asking.

As far as I know, there is no connection between conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to T3 and Hyperlipidemia. And I'm curious to know why you think there would be.

Do you know if you're a poor converter? To find out, you have to have FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time, and compare them. If you have these results, post them here and we'll be able to tell you.

[Topsy33]

Hi Marnie,

I think hyperlipidemia is high cholesterol and high cholesterol is very common in underactive thyroid disease.

Poor conversion as you describe means that you probably have low T3 and low T3 presents with many symptoms, one of which is high cholesterol. In many cases high cholesterol can be normalised by proper thyroid replacement.

Don’t panic. Most doctors are scared witless by high cholesterol but we need it for our bodies to function effectively too…..it’s a matter of balance.

[SteveT3]

I don't know much about hyperlipidemia but taurine can help conversion of t4 to t3

[helenshubby]

Hi, the most important bit is for the TC/HDL Total Cholesterol/High Density Lipoprotein) to be under 5, which is what we as life underwriters were taught. If it is under 5 or thereabouts you will be OK. while statins are supposed to be fgood they can cause raised CK (Creatine Kinase) which will give you muscle pain. You'd need to research it more TBH as that's just very basic guidelines

[MarnieB in reply to helenshubby]

Thank you all for your thought and advice. I understand that hyperlipidemia is a familial problem in my case, and it seems that my late father had this. It may be that it is coincidental that I have Hashimotos which could perhaps compound the raised cholesterol. Any experts who could advise? I would mention that I have other health issues, plus I cannot take statins because of severe side effects. I am being treated by my consultant with another option which is helping to lower the numbers, but not enough apparently.