hi - I have an underactive thyroid / hashimotos. I’m on 100mg of Levothyroxine my latest results are
TSH
0.034
FREE T3
4.6
FREE THYROXINE
17.7
My GP wanted to reduce my thyroxine but I actually feel good at the moment so he’s agreed to keep it at 100mg only after a bit of arguing and having to do this medichecks private blood test as he was just going off NHS TSH and T4
My cholesterol is high so he has prescribed statins but I’m reluctant to take them
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL
6.93
LDL CHOLESTEROL
4.61
NON HDL CHOLESTEROL
5.3
HDL CHOLESTEROL
1.63
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL : HDL
4.25
TRIGLYCERIDES
1.51
So he wants to put me on statins but my liver results are off too (I’m awaiting consultant appt at hospital - had scans etc all normal) suspect fatty liver
These are my latest results and are better than normal
ALT
< 34 R
48
GGT
< 38 R
188
This was 378
he has prescribed Ezetimbe but it says I shouldn’t take it if I have under active thyroid and liver problems but what do I do.
my diet is not bad - don’t eat chocolate or dairy as it makes me ill eat lots of fruit and veg - I walk 45/60 mins a day - do reformer Pilates once a week and a strength and conditioning class but can’t lose weight
my thyroglobin antibodies have come within range in the last year
THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES
0 - 115 R
19.9
This was 115
THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES
0 - 34 R
108
This was 378
Written by
Fergus883782
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Of course he wants to prescribe statins. Big Pharma want everybody on statins. But it's all to do with their profits, not your health.
it says I shouldn’t take it if I have under active thyroid
Do you know why it says that? Because high cholesterol is caused by low thyroid hormone, T3. It has nothing to do with your diet.
Cholesterol is made in the liver - because the body needs it! - and the liver keeps the level steady by making more the less you consume, and vice versa. However, when FT3 is low - as yours is, I assume, but you haven't put the ranges - the body cannot process cholesterol correctly and it tends to mount up in the blood. Raise the FT3 level and the cholesterol will drop.
All so, when you are hypo, statins are more likely to cause muscle damage.
Don't worry about high cholesterol. It won't kill you, but the statins might!
my thyroglobin antibodies have come within range in the last year
Doesn't mean anything. Antibodies fluctuate all the time. So, once you know you have Hashi's, it's not even worth retesting them.
thank you - apparently this drug can affect absorption of levothyroxine. I am reluctant to take it considering my liver problems and am considering seeing private gp from thyroid uk list as my GP doesn’t like you questioning him - he said my freeT3 at4.6 was good the range is 3.1-6.8
At 4.6 your FT3 is only 40.54% through the range. That's not even euthyroid, and hypos need it a lot higher - possibly as high as 75% - possibly even over the top of the range. So, no, your FT3 is not good.
But it's not even about affecting absorption of levo, it's not even about your liver condition, it's about taking a drug that you have absolutely no need of. And that is never a good thing to do.
A GP that doesn't like you questioning him is a very insecure, unknowledgeable GP. I hope you can find a good one in the private sector.
What an excellent advice re. statins. This is exactly what my husband and I have found. Once FT 3 has gone up , his cholesterol plummeted down. Prior to that when he was on statins, his leg muscles became very weak and the GP told him to stop. In my case , statins created such pain in my legs that I could not walk! He was poor converter if T4 to T3 but this improved once he started on Armour thyroid. My cholesterol has been very high 6.5- 7 prior to thyroidectomy and subsequently, when on Levothyroxine. Two months ago I moved to Armour , feeling much better , still need to measure cholesterol to see the effect. Will post .
Spot on - my late mother in law a ‘thyroider’ ended up bedridden after a week of statins - I did try to warn her after I had just read a book called the Great Cholesterol Con but she wouldn’t listen and said bless her but the Dr knows best - yes for his bank account - also cholesterol needed for the adrenal glands to produce life giving hormones - the liver enzymes will also be high because of low thyroid hormone!
Hi me again - many years ago I worked with a young lad who had little white spots all over his face - we got into a conversation on health and he told me he had a family history of high cholesterol - it was over 200 not under 10 !
You mentioned “Because high cholesterol is caused by low thyroid hormone, T3.”
Here’s mine for you to compare as that wouldn’t suggest what you’re saying… I think other stuff must be at play.
TSH 0.55 (0.3-5.5)
FT3 3.8 (3.1-6.8)
FT4 20.7 (12-22)
Serum cholesterol 4.5
HDL 1.21
Triglycerides 0.55 (0.5-1.7)
Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio 3.7
Serum non HDL cholesterol level 3.29
This is probably one of a couple higher results over 10yrs I’ve had they nip to 4. Something range but often it’s 3. Something.
I was asked to go on statins or equivalent 🤷🏻♀️
GP are fully aware aI have musculoskeletal issues and I won’t take them regardless of their actual use in many is minimal but they do help others but sick of the push drugs instead of getting bigger picture of health… we will all have certain nuances but clearly they now think statin helps everything… be it age, kidney, liver, cholesterol, blood sugar and hormone dysregulation being used like paracetamol, with not as great outcomes in many… just more problems!
I eat full fat everything and probably more than should…I have eggs and absolutely agree the diet has little to do with cholesterol it may alter a small amount but genetics are big part along with other things going off with health… but I cant (yet) relate to thyroid & high cholesterol and I’ve had mine tested more regularly recently those scores may not be great individually but I am not classed as high cholesterol…I’m actually worried about my triglycerides as so low!
See those cholesterol results in previous comment …4.5 isn’t high its normal … the last 12years this is one of highest cholesterol it has been mostly it’s 3. something and might be next time as mentioned…and FT3 is always 3.something so that theory doesn’t work in my case (not saying as age (I’m 58) it may change)
So for last 12yrs that I know my thyroid and cholesterol, it’s not in my case.
I’m trying to find what is causing my conversion problems … I’ve been on Liothyronine for a whole year before my FT3 went up to 4.2 once then next tests all way back to low 3s afterwards it was 2.7 a year ago… TSH went so low we’ve messed about with dose but we’re just medicating the to see results, it had only small benefit and briefly and can’t honestly say now that possible it was a placebo effect, as upped my T4 and I felt just same.
I’m on Decapeptyl injections at present and there’s been slight but insignificant rise in FT3 but I could do with testing in August after course is finished see if the full impact of lowering oestrogen has helped any … I’m oestrogen dominant with gynaecological issues.
Only thing I’ve had consistently over a decade that’s off is higher than normal creatinine levels but had scans and other tests and no other kidney problems, and now it’s deemed just my normal as it’s very similar ever test.
I’ll write my own post later in year when done this experiment to see if anyone has any other suggestions that could be cause of poor conversion… other than it being genetic… and if have any solutions… adding in Liothyronine didn’t work maybe I need it longer than 12months 🤷🏻♀️
Sorry, there are so many replies on this thread, I got a bit confused.
But, I didn't say that cholesterol is always high when FT3 is low. Mine certainly isn't. I have naturally low cholesterol and all the butter and cream in the world won't raise it! But that's more to do with the liver than the thyroid. And certainly nothing to do with diet.
There are many, many, many reasons for poor conversion. And you'll be lucky if you ever find yours. It could be a combination of things. Do you have Hashi's? Hashi's people are very often poor converters, and there's nothing you can do about that. Not consuming enough calories is another cause.
I’ve been on Liothyronine for a whole year before my FT3 went up to 4.2 once then next tests all way back to low 3s afterwards it was 2.7 a year ago…
How much T3 are you taking? And how do you take it?
My cholesterol is always low too but this is due to adrenal gland function using it all up I believe. I was once tested many years ago and the Dr was amazed how low it was - almost non existent due to not being on thyroid hormone in those days so was running on adrenal gland energy.
Making the sex hormones cortisol oestrogen progesterone pregnenalone dhea - I had problems with adrenals that caused insufficiency with sex hormones - will send you something
Yes, but that shouldn't cause low cholesterol because that's the way it is for everybody. And if your adrenals weren't making sufficient sex hormones, what were they using the cholesterol for?
I have an ancillary question as to the reversibility ( with suitable exercise) or not) of probable statin induced muscle weakness? I am 73 with long-term Hashi's, RA, Pernicious anaemia and microscopic colitis among other things. All are (now) well monitored and treated by helpful hospital consultants. But GPs do like to tinker and a while ago I was encouraged to take a low dose of atorvastatin to " protect me from strokes and heart attacks". Since then my muscles have become considerably weaker despite reasonable exercise( atleast10k daily steps dog walking etc) - no pain at all. This has been ascribed to advancing age and RA ( no recent flares). My cholesterol levels are unaltered, have always been reasonably close to " normal" ranges. I'm considering a trial off statins without altering anything else. Could my muscle strength improve?
I don't have any personal experience with taking statins, but from what I've read, yes, muscle strength does improve when you come off statins.
And, you shouldn't be taking them anyway. They are not recommended for women. And as you're hypo, the cause is almost certainly low T3, not statin deficiency.
Thankyou for that, my GP did not mention a sex difference in advice for prescribing statins. He looked at my calculated risk score for stroke and heart attack. Forgot to mention that I have familial high BP reduced by amlodipine. Would that be the reason behind advising statins?
Well, once again, high blood pressure is usually a symptom, not a disease. But I don't know anything about familial high BP. But, then again, high blood pressure can be a hypo symptom and hypothyroidism can run in families too.
He probably doesn't even know that statins aren't recommended for women, or doesn't care. He just wants to prescribe them to as many people as possible.
As for the so-called 'calculated risk score', based on cholesterol levels, it's a load of bunkum because cholesterol does not cause heart attacks or strokes. Under-treated hypo does. Statins do. But cholesterol doesn't.
I have just read up on atorvastatin drug interactions and it specifically mentions possible adverse effects if mixed with amlodipine. Also don't take it at the same time as oatbran- ie breakfast porridge! Neither have been mentioned to me by any GP or pharmacist. I despair- having worked as a vet for nearly 50 years we were constantly monitoring possible adverse interactions to alleviate pet owners'concerns- obviously doesn't apply to humans!
I've never heard those two points mentioned either! But, then they wouldn't would they, because it would limit the number of people that can be put on statins. And that's not what they want at all! The whole thing is a disgrace! And I cannot understand why self-respecting doctors buy into it. Or perhpas there just aren't any self-respecting doctors anymore...
Without a doubt, I’d recommend “The Great Cholesterol Con” by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick (mentioned by greygoose).
I think he mentions that the only benefit of statins is if you are female and have had a cardiac event. Otherwise there are no benefits to taking stains. And there are greater benefits to having higher cholesterol levels the older you are.
Statins are not recommended with untreated or unresolved hypothyroidism as they can cause muscle pain and/or damage (n.b. the heart is a muscle). When you FT3 level is optimised (poss. upper quartile of range) your cholesterol level should come down without the need for a statin.
The NHS website does not recommend statins for over 70’s***
You’ll find Dr. Kendrick on YouTube. To start you off… “Your Doctor Is WRONG About Cholesterol & Heart Disease” youtube.com/watch?v=wRjQCG4...
But read his book as it takes you through methodically and in detail.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
*** People at an increased risk of side effects
Statins should be taken with caution if you're at an increased risk of developing a rare side effect called myopathy, which is where the tissues of your muscles become damaged and painful. Severe myopathy (rhabdomyolysis) can lead to kidney damage. Things that can increase this risk include:
• BEING OVER 70 YEARS OLD……
[…….] A lower dose of statin may also be recommended.
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. Read more about the side effects of statins. nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...
So, finally got around to looking at that article, and I have to admit it's way above my head! I wasn't even sure what they were trying to prove. But, on the face of it, it would appear that it has no bearing on the question in hand: i.e. why do you think your cholesterol is low because your adrenals are using it all up, when you are aware that your adrenals are making insufficient sex hormones. I can't see the logic in that.
I have a few autoimmune conditions and one of them is Hashimoto’s with only high TPO antibodies (in 200s from memory) I was only taking 10mcg Liothyronine and as my TSH got so low (typical response from medical professionals) there was no way other than self medicating to increase I couldn’t get prescriptions to use more, I took decision as it wasn’t raising my FT3 and felt hardly any difference over time and costing me a fortune paying privately as my endocrinologist wouldn’t prescribe off license Liothyronine which was cheaper …I went back to higher Levothyroxine and stayed there… I split it over the day from advice here.
I have still not ruled out taking T3 again but will do a post of my own re getting more advice I have too much going off with gynaecology stuff to mess with anything else just yet and these injections cause pituitary to shut down hormones.
In my case definitely it’s definitely not a calorie or nutrition issue other than a possibility of a dairy intolerance that’s asymptomatic, unless tested I don’t have any of the “normal” symptoms of intolerance… but didn’t with gluten …and only thing never tried I know Slow Dragon had success in this area which I have took onboard. It might be something to consider down the line.
I assume coeliac disease is big contributing factor as malabsorption.
Hi, you can help yourself with Plant Sterols they bring down your high cholesterol, mine was at 9.3 in three months it was down to 5.2 a healthy level…
Here you go… “The cell structure of phytosterols looks and acts like cholesterol, so it competes with cholesterol for absorption by your digestive system.
When your body digests plant sterols instead of cholesterol, it removes some of the cholesterol as waste. This results in lower cholesterol levels and improved health.”
They occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, nuts etc, but also can be added to certain products like flora proactive (other spreads available, it’s just I know this one) and yoghurts that are marketed as being able to lower your cholesterol.
This results in lower cholesterol levels and improved health.”
Highly unlikely that lowering cholesterol is going to improve your health. High cholesterol is not the problem they make it out to be. I suggest you read the blogs and books of Dr Malcolm Kendrick.
Artificially reducing cholesterol can cause more problems that it solves - mainly because there aren't any problems. Without decent levels of cholesterol the body cannot repair itself and regenerate. Cell walls are made of cholesterol, as is the brain, and sex hormones. Cholesterol is also nature's sticking plaster, and without that sticking plaster you are at greater risk of a heart attack if the arteries become damaged by inflammation.
And the problem with statins - one of them, anyway - and plant sterols, and all the rest, is that it doesn't remove the root cause, so you are stuck on them for life. Which really doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I prefer the cholesterol.
Plant sterols created the same side effects for us as statins; muscle weakness and pain, only with greater delay. It shows how different we all are, but using natural foods is likely to be better than synthetic tablets .
Hi I would get the NICE info on statins and hypo printed off and put in front of GP. There is quite a bit on HU on the subject so do a search. Also a lot of high quality research from the likes if Pete Taylor on this subject. Your GP needs to treat your hypothyroidism or yes get a good private GP. Good luck.
GPs want to put everyone on statins. It's a well known fact, except by GPs, that hypothyroid causes higher cholesterol, so fixing the thyroid comes way before doing anything with cholesterol. Statins became the universal panacea for everything, largely because there's a payment for prescribing them, don't be fooled into thinking they'll do any good. Don't take my word for it, just use the internet. Dr. Mercola is always a good place to start.
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.
It's worth knowing about if your doctor is going to nag or criticise you.
I refused statins years ago. Luckily for me I haven't been nagged about them. My Total Cholesterol has varied over the years from 6 point something to 8 point something.
I am on 75mcg levothyroxine and my GP also wanted to put me on statins as my cholesterol was high. I eat a very healthy vegan and gluten-free diet and the only fat I eat is extra virgin olive oil. I also, like you, have plenty of exercise and walk at least four miles daily. I refused statins as I know my high cholesterol was caused by the underactive thyroid and also know of the nasty side effects statins can have. I would suggest you trying plant sterols as they reduced my cholesterol to a normal level so I now take half the recommended dose of sterols for maintenance daily. The best sterol that works for me is citrus bergamot - absolutely brilliant for high cholesterol. Plenty of information about how it works online and it worked for me.
THANK YOU for this. You’ve reminded me I did try these a few years ago, but didn’t persist as they need to be taken on an empty stomach. As I take my Levothyroxine on waking on an empty stomach I didn’t want to take the citrus bergamot too in case it interfered with the medication and waiting for four hours means no breakfast. So now I’ve decided to try the citrus bergamot again and this time I will take in the middle of the night as I always wake at least once. I feel so much better about using this as opposed to statins as the Citrus Bergamot brand I was using has no fillers, is organic and very pure.
Do persevere with the citrus bergamot. It also contains a natural substance called spermidine which is brilliant for the general health. I feel I have so much more energy and sleeping better too since taking the supplement. I take mine 30minutes before eating well away from my levothyroxine (which I take at 5.00am) so I take the citrus bergamot 30 mins before I eat at lunchtime and 30 mins before I eat in the evening although I'm just taking one a day now my cholesterol is back to normal levels. I buy mine from a company called Time Health and I can highly recommend it. Good luck!
Flipping heck you must have the stomach lining of well I don't know what or who - that would cripple me - no food in tummy either - just looked it up yes looks good and will make you feel good because it will hit the adrenals and give them a nice hefty boot but does have side effects for diabetics and sugar levels I saw. If it works for you then why not ?
I’m in a similar situation and don’t want to take them as feel it is purely a blanket exercise by the NHS perhaps scoring points/revenue to prescribe statins. Like you I’m very active, do regular Pilates, gardening, walking etc and eat fairly healthily most of the time, but am just over the recommended weight. Was underweight before developing Hypothyroidism. For now am telling GP I am going to try to reduce my cholesterol naturally/lifestyle changes. They’re not going to like it. I’ve decided to have a private blood test as suspect my FT3 might be low. I’ve tried to find some hard evidence to show the GP why it’s not a good idea for Hypothyroid sufferers to take statins, but so far what I’ve read only seems to suggest it’s bad for untreated Hypothyroidism. The GP will insist I’m treated going by my TSH and like you often tries to reduce my Levo by 25 mcgms. Incidentally I have always suffered from fatigue on Levothyroxine and have to pace myself and rest inbetween. It would be really helpful Fergus883782 if we can find some evidence to back us up to show the GP. If I do I will try and find this link and let you know.
Thank you sounds like we are on the same journey - I do medichecks blood test and present that to my GP but on my last appt the GP said I’m not looking at that because the ranges are different they are not widely different to the NHS tests so are comparable - I will do some research and post on here too
Oh yes my GP also flatly refused to listen/look at any testing that wasn’t done by the NHS. His face last time was a picture when I presented the Monitor My Heath thyroid results from the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust and Vitamin D results from West Birmingham and Sandwell NHS Trust. As more NHS Trusts provide these services the more the power balance will shift to enable partnership working.
I'm personally opposed to statins too but I have to take issue with the prevailing view that GPs just want to get everyone on statins because they feel like it/ because they get paid to do so/ because they want to score points (??)/ because the NHS just loves spending huge sums on putting the entire population on a medication/ because Big Pharma told them to.
As misguided as we might believe it to be, the 'pushing' of statins (and they definitely are pushing them) is a policy decision from Higher Ups to reduce the prevalence of heart disease which is widespread and very costly for the NHS. And statistically, whether we like it or not, statins DO reduce the incidence of strokes and heart attacks. Unfortunately statistics are tricky buggers and do not tell the whole story.
I'm afraid I don't agree with you - Whilst I agree it is coming from the top - this then leads to my belief that the GP budget is then heavily involved in the prescribing of these awful drugs - I daresay there will be a budget increment on how many people they put on these drugs - call me cynical - my late Mum was over the moon when she was asked if she would like to go to a Well Woman clinic (this was the 70's) she was so thrilled her GP was caring enough to want to send her - but was furious when she found out they get a payment to do so. Same as flu jab - I believe it is £50 they get although that figure may now have changed. There are far better ways to bring down cholesterol that the medical profession will never admit to as they do not believe in nutritional medicine.
I take your point, but the financial incentives are put in place to incentivise GPs to follow the guidelines. GPs are not responsible for the guidelines and they don't just randomly prescribe these medications, they are flagged by a very specific algorithm - the QRisk score.
I'm sorry, but I don't understand why your mother would be furious that the GP surgery got a payment for offering her something she wanted.
Anyway, it's not my intention to get into a heated discussion about this. There are truly some awful GPs out there but there's also some good ones. They just seem to get a terrible rap on this forum specifically. Other forums on HealthUnlocked not so much.
We must beg to differ then - perhaps GP's get a lot of flack on here because thyroid patients have to fight and fight to get any help with their awful thyroid dysfunction - I have been fighting for nearly 30 years to get things changed and cannot believe the very same hurdles are still there now that almost killed me - I am being treated adequately now but it took 20 years of hell and a lot of money - I will not stop knowing what it feels like to be so poorly with no-one listening - so yes we rant on here but for good reason.
My GP/surgery has also said they won’t look at privately done blood checks. It’s very frustrating and unless we do our own research with support on this forum we are not adequately supported. I will post too if I find anything helpful. At least I feel more informed now to face my GP when I’m questioned re refusing statins. Thanks for your post. It’s proved to be very helpful and so good to read other people’s comments and experiences in the replies too. I’m definitely going to start the Citrus Bergamot capsules to try and lower cholesterol from a reputable company who have clinical testing too. Not sure if I’m allowed to name them here. Good luck with your progress. 😊
I have nothing helpful to say, but thank you for posting this. I refused statins for no other reason than I didn't want to take them. I'm B12d, overweight and sedentary, so thought that I should sort out the blindingly obvious, free and non medicated fixes first.
I had no idea that there was such a direct link with under treated hypo. Apparently, like everyone else these days, if I treat my thyroid problem properly it will kill me. I have tried to point out my fat stomach is more likely to cause a heart attack than adequate thyroid meds! This post & answers will help future GP battles, oh sorry I mean appointments.
Hi there - I had an abdominal swelling larger than when I was 9 month's pregnant - it came from underneath the bust just like being pregnant - I was on a train going up to London for a hospital visit and a very kind lady asked me when the baby was due - I burst out laughing and said I'm not pregnant just got no thyroid hormone - she was mortified - I said laughing - please don't worry I am flattered that at 60 years of age you think I could be pregnant ! This swelling went down eventually - many years down the line - when I got onto thyroid hormone - its linked to slow moving gut and just found out the other day doing some research - also connected to the adrenal glands when it is just underneath the bust - isn't the body amazing it tells us what it needs - pity the medical profession don't know this !
You obviously looked better at 60 than I do at 61! No one will think I'm pregnant.I do look as though I'm ready to give birth any minute, though. Thanks for the info re adrenals. Something to look into.
The adrenal gland connection will be because the thyroid gland is under performing and they are kicking in to help support your body i.e. keeping you alive actually. So at least I suppose we could celebrate the lump until we are diagnosed/prescribed what we need.
Maybe us hypos should just refuse NHS cholesterol testing in the future, there's no real point if we've no intention of taking the blooming statins and its a waste of our time and NHS resources, plus the aggro of arguing the toss with GP's who are incentivised more by targets and cash than our health.
I've only had mine tested in a hospital setting, when they test anything and everything, and I'm going to be refusing them from now on. We are under no obligation to get tested.
I was put on statins while truly being hypo (TSH 7 (0.4 - 4)) and I was in excruciating pain. Every muscle in my body, and I really mean EVERY muscle from head to toe, even those I did not know I had, hurt. I would rather give birth to 10 more children than ever go through this again. My FT3 was at the very bottom of the interval or sometimes below. I know now that that caused the high cholesterol. Since I am on T3 my cholesterol has plummeted to almost normal. My thigh muscles took almost a year to recover from the statins. And I wasn't even on them very long. I'm sure there are some cases where the benefits of statins could potentially outweigh the risks, but, as far as I'm concerned, they are way overprescribed. Very little effort is usually made to get to the bottom of the problem. High cholesterol...here are your statins. Being tired...here are your antidepressants. Scratch on your arm...here are your antibiotics. It's automatic. And the patient pays the price. There is a very narrow road through medicine and if you are outside that road, you are dragged back onto it, whether that benefits you or not. Thinking outside the box is exceedingly rare. Doctors have no time for that. And a good number of them seem to also have lost the motivation. Rant end!
Conclusion: Don't go on statins unless you absolutely have to.
I take it you have seen an endocrinologist to get the T3 or have a decent GP - mine won’t even consider it and won’t refer me so I’m going to go private
Through this community I found a nurse practitioner who patiently has worked with me for a year to get my hormones right. She gave me a lot of leeway to figure things out myself, supporting me and advising me without putting pressure on me. I hope she will be around as long as I live.
I haven't put anything on here for a while but just want to say, I agree with you all. Statins, are bad news. Made me feel unwell too. Also, each different blood pressure med disagreed with me. I came off the lot. The doc more or less said I could end up having a stroke or heart attack. Do you know what? I'll take my chances. "Try this one for a couple of weeks, let it get into your system". Don't worry about the swollen ankles, depression, confusion, etc! Sorry, I wanted to have a rant.
If you have high blood pressure CoQ 10 reduces BP - I know I took it not realising I had adrenal issues at that time and I nearly fainted as it took BP down too low - so can guarantee it certainly does work - I wanted it for other reasons at the time it is amazing for the heart muscle!
Thank you for your reply re CoQ10. I tried it a few years ago but not right for me. I have to be careful what else I take apart from levo as most things disagree with me. I occasionally take my blood pressure at home & it's fine. It seems customary for some GP's to whip the blood pressure monitor out. It just happened to be high on the occasion I went to see the doc as I was feeling unwell. Regarding the thyroid, the GP's have no in-depth knowledge here where I now live. They seem to prescribe generic levothyroxine to all the patients. One of the doctors commented that I was on Eltroxin. Another doctor in the practice asked what Eltroxin was when he saw it listed on my file. He then checked to see how much it was & said, it's not a lot more expensive. Thank goodness for this forum.
Yes CoQ 10 is a funny one - it is now used I believe in heart failure patients but every time I buy it I throw it away as expired - I then buy again when I read again how amazing it is - I did have blood test once and levels really high but that was a problem I was experiencing with NDT and heart was under pressure as didn’t agree with me !
We are all guilty of trying supplements, etc, which are the new wonderful remedies available. Companies' advertising put a lot of work into getting us to buy their products.I wish you well, hope you find the way & start to improve.
so you’re another person with low TSH being told they are overtreated like me whose TSH has been low for 24 years. I would say that maybe all poor converters have very low TSH and when that’s the only test offered thanks to NICE guidelines it becomes a repeated yearly battle despite endocrinologist asking for full test. Four years ago I was asked to reduce thyroxine and ended with increasing hypo symptoms high cholesterol and eventually a stroke. Yes I do take a small dose of statins but after seeing an Endo am on a small dose of T3 plus a slight increase of thyroxine and feel better than have in years. I wish you lots of luck and hope you sort it out soon!
That's my latest nightmare, Statins, my GP knows how much I hate the 'things' I have been of Metformin for diabetes 2 since March 2020, my sugar has always been high, presently about 66 in my liver, but cholesterol and blood pressure "normal" I was told statins down the phone after latest blood test, my so called dietician [😤🙄] has his own ideas, but because I am chronically terminally ill, broken skull, broken rib cage structure "untreatable" the rest of the particular practice is with me, I am retired, 15 1/2 stone, so 'agree' statins could be more harm than good in my state 👌 [I was 17 1/2 stone in March 2020, and now 2,000 metres on exercise bike each day, and formed my own diet👍]
My cholesterol was high many years ago and my GP wanted to put me on statins. Instead I did some research and discovered that porridge lowers cholesterol. After having gluten free porridge for breakfast for several months I had another blood test and my cholesterol was in the normal range and still is. Some people may need statins but before taking a drug with known side effects I would always try diet changes and optimising thyroid medication first.
The comments about not doing cholesterol blood tests seem wrong as they indicate state of thyroid hormones?I remember watching Peter Taylor thinking/wondering if high cholesterol is a good marker for incorrect thyroid treatment.
I am on 125 mg t4 and 18 mg of T3 and my cholesterol results are now fine. They improved with T3 added, I am hashi /autoimmune uat.
Can I ask how bad were your Blood tests TSH etc to get T3 prescribed - my GP wants to reduce my 100mg of levothyroxine as my TSH is just below range but I feel better than I did when I was on 75mg so I have refused - did you have to go private or did your GP refer you to an endo
I had several blood tests showing T3 about 10%. I bought some t3 from overseas pharmacy when first diagnosed. I then self treated with this cutting g down the 25 mg tablets.
I had heart monitor thing but soon stopped using it as all fine.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Statins and underactive Thyroid
UNDERACTIVE THYROID AND STATINS
Cholesterol high want me to take statins. 
Should I stop Levothyroxine?
