chloseterol

[Baileyleigh123]

hi my cholesterol was 6.0 in August and my thyroxine was lowered from 175. To 150 mg at the same time my chlosterol is now 6.4 is this dangerous and also do think people think it’s connected to the thyroid dose been lowered .

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Doctors use a risk assessment tool to work out your risk for cardiac events which uses yoru cholesterol result alongside other facts. Have you asked your GP what your score is?

hornchurchhealthcare.co.uk/...

It may be related to your dose reduction. What are your latest blood results for TSH, FT4 & FT3?

What supplements are you taking?

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Jaydee1507]

no I have to see the nurse about it next month I dont really want statins as last time I tired them they made me ill x

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Baileyleigh123]

There are different statins to try with a better side effect profile or even alternatives to statins. Really you need full thyroid testing to check if you are optimally treated first.

You can take responsibility for your low TSH as per NICE guidelines:

The first paragraph in the NICE (NHS) Thyroid Disease, Assessment and Management guidelines says :

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145

"Your responsibility”

The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian. “

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145

Also see this link with papers pointing to keeping TSH lower: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Suggest you get full thyroid tests run to include FT3 privately if NHS won't.

Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thankyou I eat healthy but I do smoke to much could it be the smoking that’s causing it x

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Baileyleigh123]

The smoking definitely won't be helping and I'd suggest you see a stop smoking service for further advice on that. Its well worth quitting.

Raised cholesterol is just one element of the risk factors for heart disease, stroke, vascular disease.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Jaydee1507]

But I don’t understand how it’s jumped from 6.0 to 6.4 in like 4 weeks

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Baileyleigh123]

It probably varies naturally like many bodily processes.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Baileyleigh123]

No one can force you to take statins or any other meds. If you dont want them then refuse. You have autonomy over your own body.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I’m sure it’s something to do with my thyroxine it’s gone up since they lowered it oh well I will change my diet again but when I was eating more fibre I got inflammation you can’t win it’s all making me depressed I’m under a lot of stress at the moment as well with a legal case x

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Baileyleigh123]

As I said doctors are there to advise you, not dictate to you. There's a lot of pressure on GP's to prescribe statins, both financial and medical. They will probably do their damndest to convince you but ultimately the decision is yours.

If you dont want them, just politely refuse. They might get a bit huffy, but they aren't the ones dealing with unwanted side effects. I told my GP under no circumstances would I take them.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

No I don’t want them should I be worrying though at the level I’m at 6.4 I will obviously change my diet well cut the chocolate out I don’t drink and I never eat fried anything my downfall is a sweet tooth don’t know if this is causing it x

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Cholesterol isnt necessarily related to diet, some people have higher levels than others. Its probably more likely related to being hypo and undermedicated. Statins arent recommended for hypos as they can cause muscle weakness/pain. Statins can also cause dementia and diabetes.

[humanbean]

As your thyroxine goes down your cholesterol goes up.

Before you decide to take statins, take a look at this link, paying particular attention to the graphs.

drmalcolmkendrick.org/2012/...

And remember, when cholesterol goes down as a result of taking statins, that your risk of developing some other health problems increases. E.g. heart failure, cataracts, dementia, type 2 diabetes, various cancers.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to humanbean]

I definitely will not be taking stains will it eventually even itself out , how long does it take for the level of thyroxine to adjust to the new dose have you any idea please x

[humanbean in reply to Baileyleigh123]

Oops, I forgot to add the link to my post. I've edited my post to include it now.

The thing about cholesterol is that it isn't dangerous, as the link I posted above shows. Reducing cholesterol actually increases the risk of death.

As for how long it takes for test results to settle when changing dose of thyroid hormones, I would suggest 6 - 8 weeks before re-testing. But it could take a lot longer in some people.

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to humanbean]

Aww thankyou I will have a look now I was worrying I’m sick of worrying lol ,

[Baileyleigh123 in reply to humanbean]

That was a very interesting read thankyou I will go and have my small fillet steak now then lol this is only once a week for iron purposes x