statins and thyroid

[Taminaone]

a month or so ago I read an article about NHS not recommending statins with a thyroid problem. I saved it but can’t find it. I am seeing cardiologist tomorrow who is going to ask if I sm taking my statins. I am not and told him last time I was not keen on them and he gave me the old old story about how I need them to prevent a stroke. I take blood thinners, tablet to watch bp and slow heart rate down and bisoprolol in the wings. I don’t think I need statins as well. Could some good person direct me to the link? Thx so much wonderful friends

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Can't think of any good reason to take statins TBH...

Maybe this one... mentions hypothyroidism should be treated first

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), this would be treated first. Having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level. Treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease without needing statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

nhsinform.scot/tests-and-tr....

Are your thyroid hormones optimised? Any recent results to share?

[Taminaone in reply to TiggerMe]

thanx so much for your reply. I agree with you.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Taminaone]

Doctors can calculate a risk score for you based on your blood results and other factors. Do you know what yours is?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

How much levothyroxine are you taking

Do you always get same brand Levo

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

ESSENTIAL to test and maintain GOOD vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin as good vitamin levels needed for good conversion of Ft4 to Ft3……retest at least annually

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Low Ft3 will tend to result in higher cholesterol

Maintaining good thyroid levels essential

[Taminaone in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Sloe Dragon

[Lovecake]

I can understand you not wanting to take more tablets. Obviously I’m not your cardiologist and have no idea of your full medical history……

Things I’d take into account - do you have a family history of strokes? Is your cholesterol level high? Are you able to suggest that maybe changing your diet might help your cholesterol levels?

I’ve started having porridge oats for breakfast 3 x a week. The lovely Michael Mosley said they are good for soaking up triglycerides etc. I also have Benecol yogurt twice a week. (It’s expensive). Had my cholesterol levels checked 6 weeks ago and my cholesterol level was the lowest it’s been recorded @ 5. I’m happy with that. But obviously your cardiologist might want yours lower for some reason. We also know from info on here and elsewhere that the brain need cholesterol, so I’m not sure it’s wise to go too low.

They can’t force you to take statins, but why don’t you write a list of questions for the cardiologist and write down their responses? Then you can make an informed decision when you have digested all the info.

[elwins]

I take something similar to statins but not the normal cheap statins. As I refused the normal cheap statins everyone else is on, it still does the same job. Talk what alternatives you could go on to do the same job.

[Taminaone in reply to elwins]

Yes cardiologist offered the other ones. Will chat with GP. He said he was having difficulty getting people to take statins!!! Interesting. Thx for reply

[elwins]

I think statins are cheap, the ones I take are more expensive, but luckily my doctor listened to me. I think they get paid to get patients to take them could be wrong.

[Taminaone in reply to elwins]

Yes the GP surgeries do get paid. It’s called reaching targets. Could be the same with flu jab