Homocystine

[Mermaid238]

I always have a high homocystine Is this related to low thyroid I take 75mg Armour Thyroid I am now 89 this month. To be truthful I don't think the doctors know much about low thyroid. They just pump meds. I do not take medication unless really need like antibiotics. Armour and 81 mg Aspirin. I had strokes - I have Hemiplegic Migraine which causes strokes. I was born in UK and went through the bombing but I live in America now.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

High homocysteine can occur if you are deficient in vitamin B12.

The classic is to test serum B12 (or, possibly, Active B12) and, if low, test homocysteine and methylmalonic acid.

However, you also need adequate vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 (folate).

[radd]

Mermaid238,

89 years old! Wow, that’s amazing 🤗. Sorry to hear about your strokes.

Yes, elevated homocysteine can be indirectly caused by hypothyroidism and is relatively common on the forum. Was MMA (Methylmalonic Acid) tested also?

These can be useful indicators of a Vit B12 deficiency as this (with folate) helps with conversion of both - MMA to another type of coenzyme and homocysteine to methionne.

Inadequate thyroid hormone can not only results in decreased homocysteine clearance (so elevating levels) but creates unhealthy gut conditions where Vit B12 (& folate) can not be well absorbed, and so deficiency occurs. These conditions may also be exacerbated by common genetic MTHFR impairments.

Have you also got elevated cholesterol? Homocysteine stimulates the production & secretion of cholesterol, and low thyroid hormone will also encourage low/no stimulation of lipolysis (breakdown of cholesterol) as well as reducing liver clearance.

Vit B12 and folate work together in the same pathways to help create, develop and regenerate red blood cells and make iron work properly. If these are deficient, then there is a risk of iron deficiency also.

Iron helps thyroid hormones work correctly, so you can see how everything interconnects. Therefore, if you haven’t been tested already, you will need MMA, Vit B12 & folate, and a complete iron panel. Also thyroid hormones to see if your dose needs adjusting.

[Mermaid238 in reply to radd]

I have very low cholesterol The only thing is the high homocystine GFR is around 60

[jgelliss in reply to radd]

👍

[Bertwills]

Asprin is not good in combination with taking thyroid hormones. It affects their absorption & I read that it causes the hormones to realease from their binding sites leading to high blood levels but poor absorption. It can increase the risk of bleeding too. Might be a good idea to check with a pharmacist, doctor or do some online reasearch.

[Mermaid238 in reply to Bertwills]

I know. I was taking Vitamin E which is a better blood thinner, natural. Unfortunately I was put on that because of strokes. I am a blood type A too. only take thyroid meds and Asperin. No other meds. Never have.