Hmmmm

[PENNYODELL29]

3months ago my cholesterol was 5.2 when I had latest thyroid blood test tsh was 3.8 so under range of 4 but only just and cholesterol had risen to 6.7 which is high t4and T3 were not tested I'm on 150 thyroxin same for yrs no other changes to weight diet so wondering if high cholesterol is to do with thyroid?

[greygoose]

High cholesterol is usually caused by low T3 - probably another reason why they won't test it! So, if your TSH went up, it was more than likely because your FT3 has gone down. So, it makes sense that your cholesterol level has risen.

Cholesterol levels have nothing to do with diet or weight. It is made in the liver and the liver tries to keep it at a steady level. So, the more you ingest with your food, the less it makes, and vice versa. However, when T3 is low, the body cannot process cholesterol correctly, and it tends to build up in the blood. Raise the FT3 and the cholesterol will drop.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

on Levo the aim is to keep TSH below 2

Most important results are ALWAYS Ft3 followed by Ft4…..and maintain GOOD vitamin levels

First step is to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Which brand of levothyroxine and do you always get same brand at each prescription

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

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high 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.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

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)

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

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

See detailed reply by SeasideSusie

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

Timings of testing

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Monitor My Health also now 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/getting-a-dia...

Yes

High cholesterol linked to being hypothyroid

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.

[PENNYODELL29 in reply to SlowDragon]

The UK never.test.t3.and this time didn't even test T4...I take a broad spectrumulti vitamin daily never had high cholesterol before and it's gone up suddenly in last 3mths was normal in sept test , I feel tired and sluggish but been told results are fine not sure I agree

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PENNYODELL29]

So like thousands of us in U.K. you need to test privately

Essential to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together and test vitamin levels at least annually

Come back with new post once you get results