Hi all. Im a 55 year old post menopausal woman with an under active thyroid that is treated with levothyroxine 75mg per day.
I have recently found out my cholesterol is rather high - Total 7.3. LDL 4.3. HDL 2.06. Triglycerides 2.1. There’s high cholesterol in my family (father/grandfather) and I had my gallbladder removed post first baby 28 years ago. I had 5 pregnancies badly affected by hyperemesis.
I keep reading that menopause, hypothyroidism and gallbladder removal can all impact upon cholesterol levels and my cholesterol has risen from normal range in 2017 when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism during my menopause.
id live to understand the pathophysiology behind this but don’t know who to ask to give me a detailed explanation but in plain English so I can fully understand. I’ve also read that taking statins can increase the risk of diabetes. I have started statins but am focusing also on big lifestyle changes mainly with my diet. I’m feeling very overwhelmed with it all and know that if I understood the situation I’d find it easier to tackle all the changes. Any advice, explanation, information would be gratefully received. Many thanks!
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Indiana12
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I keep reading that menopause, hypothyroidism and gallbladder removal can all impact upon cholesterol levels
I've never read that menopause or gallbladder removal can affect cholesterol levels, but hypothyroidism certainly can - and does!
Life-style and diet have nothing to do with cholesterol, it is made in the liver. And the liver keeps levels stable by making more when you consume less, and vice versa. However, when the FT3 is low, the body cannot process cholesterol correctly, and it tends to mount up in the blood.
Doctors want to put everyone on statins, whether their cholesterol is high or not. But they really aren't recommended for hypos nor for women - doctors just tend to ignore that. They can indeed increase the risk of diabetes, and also the risk of hormone dependent cancers, like breast cancer and prostate cancer, because sex hormones are made of cholesterol - and are your cell walls and your brain - the body needs cholesterol. And if they lower cholesterol too far, they put you at greater risk of heart attacks, too.
you will find a lot of articles about cholesterol and statins. And if you want to pursue it even further, check out Dr Malcolm Kendrick and his blog, and his book The Great Cholesterol Scam. Unfortunately, he never mentions thyroid!
Hi, for me, I know lifestyle change is important during peri/menopause and thyroid issues. I had high and low cholesterols, fatty liver, high CRP, low GFR and likely insulin resistance. I'm also told I have gallstones.
I'm now post menopause, on hrt, testosterone, and T3 only.
I have now reversed all my iffy longstanding blood results and only recently started to reduce my ongoing thyroid symptoms.
For me, I think reversing the fatty liver was what helped with everything else.
This was done through a diet of increased calories, high protein and actually eating carbs instead of avoiding them. Also I started simple weight training at home and now at the gym 2/3 times a week along with walking daily. I also limited alcohol and now only drink once every couple of months.
After 12+ years I am now the healthiest I've been in years. Still not optimised on my t3 but working on it.
Menopause can affect cholesterol levels due to dwindling estradiol levels. Hrt can help.
Lifestyle changes have been crucial for me in both menopause and thyroid issues.
Have to say testosterone was the missing piece and gave me the energy to start exercising.
Have you tried anything else before starting statins?
75mcg is low dose levo unless you’re extremely petite
How much do you weigh in kilo
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking
Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Also VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
What is reason for your hypothyroidism
Autoimmune?
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65
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Hypothyroidism and cholesterol - also fluctuating TSH?
hypothyroidism and cholesterol 
New to site - diagnosed hypothyroidism with high cholesterol 
Hight TSH and High LDL cholesterol connection
High cholesterol and Statins? 
