NICE guidance on statins

[Italiangirl123]

I recall seeing a reference to NICE guidance suggesting that statins should not be prescribed unless hypothyroidism has been eliminated. I’m struggling to find it and should be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

Many thanks

[diamondgirl9022]

Hi i'm on Atorvastatin 80mg after 3 strokes which they think is down to a PFO (hole in heart).

First stroke aged 34 and another two strokes last year aged 52.

I'm sure I have thyroid issues, these are my private results

TSH 3.31

FT4 14.3 pmol/L (12 - 23 )

FT3 3.55 pmol/L ( 3.1 - 6.8 )

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to diamondgirl9022]

diamondgirl9022

Please write new post of your own

You need vitamin D, folate, ferritin, B12 and thyroid antibodies tested too

[diamondgirl9022]

I've found this on NHS

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

nhs.uk/conditions/underacti...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to diamondgirl9022]

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.

[Italiangirl123 in reply to diamondgirl9022]

Hi DG. Thanks for the link which I needed for a friend. My experience has been a reduction in LDL since starting treatment in December 2022 after years of being vaguely unwell and being fobbed off by my GP. I hope your statins don’t cause you any ill effects.

[diamondgirl9022 in reply to Italiangirl123]

That's brilliant. I've stopped taking the statins over a month ago and I have a reduction in pain from most been joints, so fingers crossed it continues.

We have to speak to GP about being referred to an endo and to possibly scan my thyroid. I started to treat my B12/Perncicous Anaemia jabs last year but still not feeling much better.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you retested thyroid and vitamin levels since this post 6 months ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If not suggest you do so

[Italiangirl123 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SD. Thanks for the link re statins which I needed for a friend who is being pressurised to take them. She has also developed high blood pressure so I am suggesting that she gets her thyroid tested and avoids statins at all costs! As it happens I have just ordered a copy of Dr Kendrick’s The Great Cholesterol Con. My own belief is that big pharma have a vested interest and are powerful enough to skew research in their favour. No doubt the book will be interesting reading!

As to my own current situation thanks for asking. I am now on 10mcg liothyronine with 100mcg levothyroxine and my results on this regime were pretty good when I tested after a couple of months. However the improvement I felt has been declining and I am planning to test again on Monday…

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Italiangirl123]

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)

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

Stop any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before test (ideally)

[Humphre in reply to Italiangirl123]

An excellent book the GP is trying to convince my husband to take them s.o I gave him the book to read, opened his eyes. I also use British Supplements for supplements as they have no fillers.

[crimple]

Italiangirl123, I was put on statins when what I really needed was Levothyroxine. Raised TSH but only 5.8 and raised cholesterol. I thought I was dying when I took the statins and stopped them after a week. Saw a more knowledgeable GP who put me on levo. Have always refused statins since.

I also was told I had AKI about 3 years after starting on levo, worried me sick until I found it was poor kidney function. That improved once I started Liothyronine. I am a poor converter.

I have also had issues with my feet, Morton’s neuroma, cystic breasts and AFib, all improved with T3.

No wonder we women are looked on as hypochondriacs, but since every cell of our body needs thyroid hormones it,s no wonder we suffer a myriad of issues if undertreated.

[trisha7]

I don't know about the specific article but I read that statins not recommended by NHS for Hashimotos because of increased susceptibility to myalgia - muscle pain.