statins: I have hashimotos thyroiditis and high... - Thyroid UK

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Citta profile image
86 Replies

I have hashimotos thyroiditis and high cholesterol. I know the two conditions are linked. My GP wants to start me on statins as I recently had a retinal vein occlusion, possibly caused by high cholesterol. My BP is not elevated. Are any of the members here on statins with the same disease ? If so, has taking statins adversely impacted on your thyroid medication?

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Citta profile image
Citta
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86 Replies
elaar profile image
elaar

Hi.

Yes, the two conditions are linked, in that sub optimal T3 levels can result in a deranged lipid profile, mainly higher LDL (which obviously pushes your total cholesterol and ratio up).

If it is a low T3 causing it, then that should be addressed rather than using statins as a sticky plaster.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toelaar

thank you, that’s what I was thinking. My GP wants me to start the statins and then book a blood test in 4 weeks to check for diabetes! I think I may have to go private to get the relevant testing.

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador

This NHS page says muscle damage more likely in people with hypothyroidism on statins and hypothyroidism must be treated before statins. Could you ask for an HNS endo referral to find out more about your FT3 and likely reduce your cholesterol?

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toRegenallotment

That’s a good idea. Not sure what response I’d get though. Like I said below, I might go private to see a functional doctor or endocrinologist

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toCitta

Get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing BEFORE considering booking any consultation

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

How much levothyroxine are you taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

ESSENTIAL to maintain GOOD vitamin levels

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)

If also on T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toSlowDragon

This is so helpful thanks. I take 100mcg levothyroxine and it is always the same brand. I take a lot of supplements but well after my morning Dose of thyroxine. I take Omega from Bare Biology for eyes, brain and heart, Vit D3, Marine Magnesium from naked pharmacy for sleep, muscles and nerves. Marine collagen and vit C for skin and a new one from hey nutrition called cholesterol complex that has plant sterols and vit B. I might be taking too many. This week I’ve really cut back on saturated fats and cut out butter and full fat milk, also reducing my egg consumption.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toCitta

High cholesterol is linked to low Ft3 ….not diet

Recommend you get full thyroid and vitamin testing at least annually

Are you taking magnesium in afternoon or evening at least 4 hours away from levothyroxine

vitamin D at least 4 hours from levothyroxine too

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks, I will order a medicheck test and start from there. All my supplements are in the afternoon apart from magnesium which is evening.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply toCitta

Cholesterol is vital for our health. If you cut out the ingestible cholesterol your liver will work hard to make up the difference. Cutting out fat and eggs is the old way of thinking, still sadly the NHS way of thinking. It's very wrong. Don't do that to yourself. Get your FT3 and FT4 levels checked and then work to raise your FT3.

Of course, that's just my opinion. But I've been reading about cholesterol for decades and would not take a statin. It's the fashionable medication beloved by the NHS. It bears little relation to health.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toFancyPants54

I agree with you. I think if we eat a balanced diet in moderation that is the best way. I like the Mediterranean diet. It seems to agree with me. Lots of heathy fats on that one.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply toCitta

The trouble with the Mediterranean diet in the UK is the lack of properly sun ripened fruits and vegetables. I'm always amazed at how good everything fresh tastes once we leave these shores.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toFancyPants54

True!

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply toCitta

And fish. They tell us to eat fish but we have such a sorry little selection in the UK. Most people won't eat what we fish ourselves so we sell it onto the Continent, or did until Brexit, which is one of the big problems that has broken the fishing industry.

I remember the first time I went into a huge supermarket on Tenerife and saw the fish "counter"! My God! It was bigger than many shops and was filled with piles of the most colourful and wonderful looking fish and shellfish. It was fascinating. Heaps of many different sorts of prawns and things. It would be easy to eat nothing but fish and vegetables with fruit for pudding if you lived there.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toFancyPants54

My local butcher gets fabulous fish from somewhere in Scotland. Also I live near Portsmouth and there are fresh catches at the market there just off the boats. It’s not Tenerife though.

RockyPath profile image
RockyPath

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends a levothyroxine dose based on lean body mass. I find it underestimates my actual need by more than 21%. Here’s their formula to check against your current dose:

1.8 mcg levothyroxine per kilogram of lean body mass.

100 mcg levothyroxine for a 55.5 kilo body absent of fat. Supposed to be a reasonable dose to treat hypothyroidism.

Add 25 mcg for the AAFP being stingy, and you’re likely undermedicated at 100, unless you’re a wisp.

Good luck with the cholesterol.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toRockyPath

Thank you. That’s interesting

connyankee profile image
connyankee

Hi Citta,

I was on Statins for years with Hashi's/Hypo. I don't know that it affected my drug combinations: began with Synthroid, then Levothyroxine, then Levo + Liothyronine, and now Armour. However, taking statins gave me huge jolts of pain in my right thigh muscle to the point where I would cry out because they were sudden and intense. I stopped taking them on my own and began supplementing with Berberine Root, and recently added Red Rice Yeast. While on the Berberine alone, my HDL and LDL both improved to where I was nearly normal (USA normal). I haven't had my lipids checked in awhile. I'm due for Thyroid labs, so I will have a lipid panel done as well and then and update if I have good or bad news. I also have a "spot" on my right Retina, which may turn into Macular Degeneration. (My Opthamologist suggested that I may have looked at a solar eclipse, without protection, when I was a kid, which could be the case.)

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toconnyankee

I’ll try those supplements you suggested. Sorry about your eye. Do hope they can help you with it.

connyankee profile image
connyankee in reply toCitta

They worked for me by coincidence. Always research before you try any supplement.

connyankee profile image
connyankee in reply toconnyankee

Cholesterol will always rise with poor Thyroid function, genetics, taking fish oil supplements, poor, fatty diet, etc. Your Doc should know this.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toconnyankee

Do fish oils cause cholesterol to rise?

BlueShrimper profile image
BlueShrimper

My GP thought it would be a good idea for me to go on stating as my bad cholesterol was elevated (7.5 I think) this was around 9 years ago I think. At the time I was on 100mcg levo and doing well. I was at the gym 6 times a week and probably the fittest I'd ever been in my life (and I include 20 years in the army in that) I could run on the treadmill for a hour without even breaking into a sweat, but after a period of time I noticed myself going downhill. Over a period of a year I went back to my GP complaining of muscle ache/pain/weakness it was like I was slowly being poisoned. After about a year on stating I'd get on the treadmill and after 2 minutes I'd be in pain and after 7 minutes I'd be totally exhausted and my gym clothes soaked in sweat like I'd just jumped out the shower. I t was then I stopped taking the statins and after about a week the muscle pain went and about a month later my fitness returned. After about 6 months my GP called me in and asked why I hadn't been collecting my prescription so when I explained yet again he said oh its probably just a filler you had a reaction too, I can offer you a different brand. Needless to say I didn't take it. I'd say if your looking to bring your cholesterol down look at your diet first. Oats are supposed the be excellent at reducing cholesterol so a bowl of porridge in the morning is ideal. I've even seen 1 of the TV doctors come out and say that's how he reduced his levels. Worth a try?

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toBlueShrimper

Thank you. I am very worried about taking statins and so resisting this. My GP is impatient with me as I won’t do what she recommends but I feel she has not fully understood the link to my high cholesterol and hashimotos . It’s not a criticism of her but more a reflection of the limitations of the service. I’m glad you’re feeling better and fitness returned.

Cornwaller profile image
Cornwaller in reply toCitta

I would be critical of your GP because she is

being impatient with you

not carefully considering your quite reasonable reservations

ignorant of the hypothyroidism cholesterol link and failing to act on it contrary to NICE

pushing statins for which she is financially rewarded

I think she is not acting in your best interest and the issue really is with her and not the wider failings of the service.

Apologies for being so direct, best wishes.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toCornwaller

You definitely have a point. She has t tested my thyroid for two years. I use medicheck

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toCitta

My GP is impatient with me as I won’t do what she recommends but I feel she has not fully understood the link to my high cholesterol and hashimotos

Give her this

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.

See what private tests show and assuming Ft3 on low side ……give her copies of your private test results too

These medics need educating

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toSlowDragon

Good advice. That’s why I love this group. So supportive

connyankee profile image
connyankee in reply toCitta

She can put you on Niacin, but it comes with hot flashes.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toconnyankee

I’m always hot anyway. Especially at night, I’m well past menopause but still have flashes

LukeFitz profile image
LukeFitz

I also have hashimotos. My LDL was high for years, even though my diet was pretty good. My GP kept trying to put me on statins.......maybe 5 times.....it just felt wrong to me. Eventually I went to a specialist, and found out that my T4 was not converting to T3 well. So my T3 was low. I am just now finding an optimal dose for the hashimotos, T4 and T3 hormone treatment. But guess what, LDL has reduced significantly even after only 2 months (no change to diet whatsoever). I think that if you are on the correct dosage to treat your hashimotos, it is likely that you're LDL cholesterol will lower.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLukeFitz

that’s brilliant! How did you find your specialist? I live in Hampshire

LukeFitz profile image
LukeFitz in reply toCitta

I live in Ireland......so very few options. I eventually found a functional medicine GP with a focus on thyroid care. I am still finding my way through it all. 2024 has been a really tough year for me health-wise. Feel like I am making small improvements.....but very slow progress. I have not landed on the correct dosage yet, but almost there. Also gluten free and dairy free seems to have become very important me........even though it didn't seem to be an issue for me previously.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLukeFitz

I feel for you as I know the health service in Ireland is mostly insurance based. I had been gluten free for several years but couldn’t manage dairy free. I now focus more on my gut health with fermented foods and sourdough. My leaky gut seems to have improved but a thing with soy in it really makes me unwell. It’s different for all of us.

Obsdian profile image
Obsdian in reply toLukeFitz

This is very encouraging. Just did my medichecks thyroid test this morning. I have been holding off going to a private endo but if my t3 is still not ideal this really encourages me to go ahead.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toObsdian

I’ve always been happy with medicheck. They are efficient and happy to spend time with you if you need further advice and explanation of the results.

LukeFitz profile image
LukeFitz in reply toObsdian

That's great. Others here will be able to help you interpret the results. In range is not the same as optimal. I think especially true for t3. Again others here are very knowledgeable in that. Best of luck!

Obsdian profile image
Obsdian in reply toLukeFitz

The last test I had t4 was good, tsh had started creeping up and t3 had dropped. So need to see what has changed since.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toObsdian

It’s constant monitoring. When my dad had his thyroid removed back in the 1960s his Gp monitored him every 3 months. Just shows you how health care has declined in some areas.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLukeFitz

Thanks and to you.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake

Hi, my cholesterol levels dropped once I was medicated for thyroid issues. It was about 6.5 and went down to 5.5 This is still considered just over range. But recently I followed advice from the lovely Michael Mosley which was to start having porridge oats for breakfast. (With cinnamon and blueberries) Apparently they soak up triglycerides etc. I also started having Benecol yogurt 2-3 x a week. It’s lactose free and doesn’t give me tummy pain like normal yogurt, but they are expensive. (Eat one well away from taking levo just in case it causes issues 🤷‍♀️) So down to twice a week now.

I absolutely refuse to have statins. I struggle enough with tablets as it is and don’t need something else to contend with which may or may not help overall..My most recent cholesterol test was 5. This is the lowest recorded in well over 10 years (not that I was worried about it). So this is now just under range and I’m happy, doc happy. My triglycerides are ok too. My LDL and HDL are ok. I eat a lot of salad, veg and fresh meat. Although I do like cake 🫣 but try and stick to home made so I know what’s in it.

There are other foods that help reduce cholesterol too. What is your blood result?

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLovecake

That’s great! I do like porridge so that’s easy for me. Problem is I like it with full cream milk but I bought semi skimmed today. I had been thinking about the Zoe programme but I think it’s too complicated for me just now as I have so my going on,

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toCitta

I have oat milk on my porridge as I don’t have milk due to it giving me tummy pain. A shame because I like milk, but couldn’t cope with full fat milk for sure.

It’s what you get used to. My OH has stopped adding salt to any food. For years I’ve been saying he has too much. Within 2 weeks he noticed if he had something salty. He doesn’t miss it, except maybe on chips but he’s not giving in.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toCitta

Just to add, I have the creamy deposits under my eyes, xanthelasma, but my levels were never terrible. (I think it was unchecked Hashimoto’s) My mum got some years ago, but she did have very high cholesterol for a while. (She does not have Hashimoto’s). She was a smoker and gave it up. I’ve never smoked. There are some places that say stress can cause cholesterol levels to go high. We’ve both had a lot of stress on and off. I think not being diagnosed correctly for any health issues in itself causes stress with everything that we have to go through/live with. I hope you get sorted soon. Try your best, but don’t get too worried. It will all sort in the end 😊🧁

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLovecake

Thank you. I know I am a stressy type.

Wua13262348 profile image
Wua13262348 in reply toLovecake

I had very bad xantholasmas above and below both eyes and still have the marks, for life, of the two biggest ones I had. My cholesterol was 6.5. I think in my case excessive daily milk and lucozade (glucose) intake when I have a genetic enzyme deficiency for galactose (glucose and lactose) was very much to blame. I also did a York Food Intolerance Test and cut out my intolerances from my diet, one of which was cow's milk. I lost 2 stones in weight. I then substituted grass fed meat for supermarket meat . I lost a further 1 stone 2 pounds and returned to the weight I used to be 30 years before. Cholesterol dropped to 4.2. I am sure now I also had undiagnosed hypothyroidism at the time. I smoke.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toWua13262348

I don’t do anything to excess as I can’t diet due to migraines. But I agree, I think mine was undiagnosed Hashimoto’s too.

I was told they could be removed, but they might return. And also I’d have to pay, so it’s a non starter

Wua13262348 profile image
Wua13262348 in reply toLovecake

You absolutely don't need to diet. You do need to find out which foods you are intolerant to and not eat them. These foods might be causing your migraines. If your B complex of B vitamins doesn't turn your urine yellow , you may be short of Vit B2 which can cause migraines. I was drinking a litre of lucozade daily and 4 pints of milk daily. I was addicted to them. If there is a food or a drink you feel you just can't do without, that might be the culprit. Absolutely don't pay ( even if free) to have the xan tholasmas removed. You need to remove the cause or they will just return.

I looked awful . they were very disfiguring. I resorted to an internet hack of rubbing raw garlic on them. I looked as if I had done 10 rounds with Mohammed Ali. The garlic causes swelling and seeping, and the eyes practically close. Not for the faint-hearted! Drastic measures. It did help enormously though, and I was desperate.

I would recommend you do a York Food Intolerance test, or one from a similar company. Thyroid hormones not being optimal are a big part of it, but food intolerance and possible vitamin or mineral deficiency (genetic cause ?) will likely play a part of what is a metabolic problem. A combined approach is likely essential.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toWua13262348

Thanks. I’ve done a York test. It came up slight milk. Have not drunk milk and avoid where possible since 2012. Beef very slight, have no more than once a week. Have done that ever since. What makes me ill is soya. I found that out when I stopped milk. Chilli peppers give me a migraine too. I keep a check on all vitamins. I also look after my hubby, my mum and send anyone else off for checks if they have symptoms. My xanthelasma is possibly genetic. It’s not the end of the world. I wear glasses most of time so not noticeable. It’s way down on my list of priorities 😊🧁

Wua13262348 profile image
Wua13262348 in reply toLovecake

I was slight, border line cow's milk too, and the packaged varieties of plant milk I replaced it with were a huge mistake, and just ran right through me. I soak cashew nuts (Aldi) overnight, rinse them, then liquidise with water to get milk for my porridge.

Chilli peppers probably means you might have a problem with the nightshade family which includes tobacco, potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers etc.

Supermarket meat and chicken you should avoid. I react to it because there is soya in the animal feed and this is where you likely are unconsciously being exposed to soya, unless you are a vegetarian and don't eat meat. Supermarket chicken and meat is also injected with carrageenan which is a form of red seaweed. Almost all processed food is likely to contain carrageenan. You may notice a difference, if a meat eater, if you buy grass fed meat from a butcher. I metabolise it so much better and the proof of that is that I lost 1 stone 2 pounds when I switched. Even butchers selling grass fed meat , you need to be careful, as they will likely have MSG and possibly carrageenan in their sausages , hamburgers etc. You would need to ask them if you buy anything from them which is not plain, unadulterated meat.

I suspected I had a problem with beef and never ate it for years as I thought it upset my stomach. It took me years to work out it is the onions which almost 100% of the time I would have with the beef which is the problem. Likewise garlic, tinned tomatoes and mushrooms I frequently cooked the beef in.

Brazil nuts make the creamiest milk, but brazil nuts came up as an intolerance for me. Due to the uniqueness of the high selenium content in brazil nuts, and the importance of selenium for thyroid, I tested my selenium. It turns out I have a genetic reason for up-regulated selenium, and make too much of it. I would probably not have paid for such an expensive test, but the York test flagged up brazil nuts , which were a few crumbs daily in a muesli breakfast cereal.

Your xantholasmas are likely genetic in that you are eating or drinking something you do not make enough enzymes to metabolize properly.

If you are a meat eater and it is not grass fed, my money is that as a big problem for you.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLovecake

Soy is like poison to me. I feel bloated and sick with headaches when I have it.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toCitta

Yep. Nasty stuff. Migraine within minutes. My daughter too.

Popeye44 profile image
Popeye44 in reply toCitta

Zoe isn't complicated at all because it's not a diet. You eat what you like apart from the two experiments with the food that they supply (one breakfast and one lunch). Once you understand what your body struggles with (sugars or fats) and the condition of your gut bacteria you'll have the app to show you what's best to eat and you can adapt at your own pace. My cholesterol came down as my gut bacteria improved because there are microbes that help by digesting cholesterol. I tend to avoid the foods that score poorly for me and concentrate on eating more fibre. I check ingredients on packaged foods so there's not added unrecognisable things in them. I also use the Zoe 30+ supplement so say I use a shop bought pasta sauce, I'll add a scoop of 30+ to increase the fibre content. It's just a way of life for me now. My GP still wants to stick me on statins but I have refused.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toPopeye44

that's encouraging. thanks

humanbean profile image
humanbean

I found this information from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London that may be of interest :

moorfields.nhs.uk/eye-condi...

I noticed that they offer private treatment as well as NHS but it isn't clear to me what the difference between private & NHS is (apart from the cost). I didn't study and compare the two lots of pages but it would be worth doing.

moorfields.nhs.uk/private/e...

I did notice that the hospital offered more than one possible cause of your problem, other than just high cholesterol. I wondered if you had had the other possible causes checked out or whether your GP just went straight for statins because he benefits financially from prescribing them.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply tohumanbean

Great info, thanks. I’m under Frimley park hospital eye department and had my first eye injection at the end of Sept. They are monitoring me mo they as I may need another two injections at least, I think their eye treatment is very good and they saw me within two days of being referred. Not criticism there. I found an endocrinologist at the same hospital who I think I might contact after my blood tests come back. She sounds good but you never know. My BP tends to be on the low side and as far as I know I’m not diabetic but I might have to test for that too. Interestingly, my friend in ireland had the same eye condition and they told her it was the spikes in her blood pressure that caused it.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toCitta

Lucky you getting an appointment so quickly there. My mum has just got her referral appointment through after a year……… I think it’s an age thing……..but also your eye issue is most probably more urgent than her cataract being sorted for the 3rd time.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLovecake

I think I was just lucky. However, an occlusion could cause you to lose your sight if it's not treated.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toCitta

100% your issue is more urgent. Don’t mind me, I dislike FPH for most things.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLovecake

It’s a lot better than Royal Surrey or Portsmouth in my view.

Lovecake profile image
Lovecake in reply toCitta

Yes, I’m sure it is. And there are many worse all round the country. Pot luck these days. Sometimes we are in the right place at the right time for some excellent healthcare. Thankfully we have sites like this to help in between

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLovecake

Invaluable support and advice in the group. I'm very thankful for it.

Tina_Maria profile image
Tina_Maria

Your thyroid health is very closely linked to your metabolic health, which includes glucose and lipids. If you are hypothyroid, you have not got enough hormones to run your metabolism effectively, so your lipid (cholesterol) levels and glucose levels can rise, as your body has insufficient amounts of thyroxine to process them. This can lead to weight gain or difficulties losing weight, as the glucose and lipids 'hang around'. However, no amount of dieting will correct this, as it is a metabolism problem and NOT a diet problem! Sadly, many health care professionals do not make this connection with optimum thyroid health and instead rely on TSH testing only, which tells you nothing about the actual T4 (storage hormone) or T3 (active hormone) in your body, which are actually responsible for processing lipids and glucose. In the good old days, an under-active thyroid was diagnosed upon higher levels of cholesterol and glucose and replacement medication was given until the levels were down again.

What are your actual thyroid levels? You need to test TSH, T4 and T3 for a full picture if you can. Your symptoms suggest under-treatment of your thyroid, which is why your cholesterol is higher. How high was your cholesterol? And if under-treatment is the problem, your cholesterol levels will come down when your thyroid levels are optimised, which will make the discussion around statins obsolete.

In addition, before getting you on statins, according to the NICE guidelines, the GP should FIRST suggest lifestyle changes (diet, exercise etc.) BEFORE putting you on statins and not dishing out pills first.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toTina_Maria

7.31 cholesterol in June 23. No test since then. She wants me to start the statins and then check if they have worked. My last thyroid test was in June this year. TSH 0.383 FREE T3 4.6 FREE THYROXINE 26.2

Tina_Maria profile image
Tina_Maria in reply toCitta

Hi, could you perhaps put the range for T4 and T3 after the results, so we can see where the values are (different labs have different reference ranges). However, even without the scale your T4 looks fairly high compared to your T3, so I would say that you may not be converting T4 to T3 very well.

Have you had a more recent cholesterol test (including HDL, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides)? If you have changed your diet since the test, the values may have come down. Although, as I mentioned earlier, if it is a thyroid problem, diet alone will not influence this and statins would be just a plaster, as it doesn't address the underlying problem. You may need addition of T3 to get more of the active hormone to tackle your lipids and a slight reduction of your T4. Before trying this in the first instance, I would not agree to statins.

Tina_Maria profile image
Tina_Maria in reply toCitta

Hi Citta, I just found your reference ranges:

T4 26.2 this is 142% through the range

T3 4.6 this is 40.54% through the range

Your T3 is very low compared to your T4, so you have a conversion problem, meaning that you need a lot of T4 to get to your T3 level, which are still only 40% through the range.

Most people feel best, when the value for T3 and T4 are about 75% through the range (does not work for everyone as we are all different), but it gives a general idea. This would also mean that you would have a decent amount of T3 in your system, which I think is the root of your lipid levels. Might worth perhaps exploring adding T3 and reducing T4?

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toTina_Maria

Is levothyroxine T4? I get confused. Where can I get T3 from?

Tina_Maria profile image
Tina_Maria in reply toCitta

Yes, levothyroxine is T4. T3 is liothyronine, which is the active thyroid hormone. I think T3 has to be initiated by an endocrinologist, and then GPs can do the routine prescribing. It can be difficult to get a prescription though, which is why some people opt for a private consultation and prescription.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toTina_Maria

I'm looking into this now. It will be costly for m but you can't put a price on health.

buddy99 profile image
buddy99

All I can say is that going on statins caused me excruciating pain in every muscle in my body. I would never take statins ever again for that reason. When I went on T3 my LDL cholesterol came down significantly. I have to admit, though, that it is still not in normal range. This could be because high cholesterol runs in my family (with no issues of CVD at all) and might therefore be genetic.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply tobuddy99

I have CvD in my family. Mum died at 53 from it and dad at 72. Can you get T3 from the GP?

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toCitta

Here are my blood results from June 25

Good
buddy99 profile image
buddy99 in reply toCitta

I'm in Canada and had a heck of a time getting T3 until a member messaged me privately with the information about a Nurse Practitioner who practices where I live. I have seen her ever since and we worked together (which was such a positive shock) until we found the right combination of T3 and T4.

It's hard to say why there were deaths in your family from CVD. It could be any number of reasons. Personally I believe that the body is too complex to pin it down to one measurable cause like LDL cholesterol. But I'm not a doctor.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply tobuddy99

It is very complex. Just when I think I have figured it out something else crops up!

buddy99 profile image
buddy99 in reply toCitta

Haha! Yes, same here. Body giving me a good run for my money.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

Can I suggest that you edit the title of your post to

"Are Statins the best treatment for Retinal Vein Occlusion?"

or

"Experiences of treatment of Retinal Vein Occlusion"

or something along the same lines.

To make the change, if you decide to do so, you would need to click on "More" beneath your first post in the thread, and then click Edit, make the changes, then Save your changes.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply tohumanbean

I'll try

Litatamon profile image
Litatamon

My sister has had excellent results with red rice yeast. She tried to avoid statins but gave in when she realized that her diet was good etc.

She felt awful on them & went to red rice yeast many months ago and is in normal range.

All the best to you.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toLitatamon

Thank you and the same to you and your sister. .

Happy7 profile image
Happy7

My husband was given statins and had bad side effects (muscle pain) . A Cardiologist in Miami recommended red rice yeast and he has had good results. He is off statins. He just reduced his intake of fats a bit and increased his exercise. The older we get we need cholesterol for brain function etc. The medical industry has lowered the cholesterol threshold to put more people on statins. Please be careful not to avoid too much of the healthy fats (butter, animal fats, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil…..etc) just reduce them a bit. Eggs are good for you too, just cut down a bit,…..you also needs fats for T4 to T3 conversion. You should however eliminate unhealthy fats like seed oils and vegetable oils, those cause inflammation. If you are going to have oatmeal be sure it is non GMO and organic.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toHappy7

Thank you. I have Greek yoghurt and fermented milk. I do miss butter but have been spreading almond butter on my toast. Also using hummus as a spread. I’m going to try that red rice yeast as a few folk have said it’s good.

connyankee profile image
connyankee in reply toHappy7

Good information and I'm glad to see that Red Rice Yeast or is it Red Yeast Rice(?) is working for someone else.

Citta profile image
Citta in reply toconnyankee

Is there an optimum dose to take? I’m taking a supplement for cholesterol that’s has red yeast rice in it sling with other vitamins.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toCitta

I wrote a blog about red yeast rice a while ago.

helvella - Red Yeast Rice

A short discussion about the claims for "natural" red yeast rice as an alternative to statins.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

connyankee Happy7

Citta profile image
Citta in reply tohelvella

Thank you. Interesting blog. Very helpful

connyankee profile image
connyankee

I'm taking 1200 mgs only because, on Amazon, it was the only RYR brand that did not have Magnesium Stearate as a filler. I read somewhere, it could have been misinformation, I don't know, but there was something about "avoiding Magnesium Stearate as a filler in supplements." We are human guinea pigs.

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