Aa
Hypo & high triglycerides
I had a TT 08/2009 my PCP called today my blood work showed my
TSH to be 12.6 range .5--3.0
Total Cholesterol 203
HDL 39
Triglycerides 525
I'm taking 150 mcg synthroid, he wants me to take 200mcg and start Crestor. Any advise?
TSH to be 12.6 range .5--3.0
Total Cholesterol 203
HDL 39
Triglycerides 525
I'm taking 150 mcg synthroid, he wants me to take 200mcg and start Crestor. Any advise?
Recently read an article that says in essence that Statins are a hoax. Really the article was that high cholesterol causing heart disease is the real hoax.
The proof is that now after decades of statin use, the heart attack rate overall has not improved at all. In fact many heart attacks are being had by people who are already on statin drugs and their cholesterol levels are fine.
That only people with cholesterol levels that are extremely high like above 600 ought to consider Statin drug.
Also consider that statin drugs are the #1 money and profit maker for the pharmicuidical companies. They you have the answer as to why Statins are "pushed" so heavily. With no proof what so ever that lowering coholesterol to any certian level is really working.
As Barb points out. with the rampant under diagnosed people out there with low thyroid but the Drs unwilling to treat the thyroid issue to help lower cholesterol and obesity. Will instead pump out handfulls of Statin's, anti depressants, anti anxiety medications, and harp on people to eat right and get excercise and stop being lazy.
Drug companies can make more money selling 6 different drugs to "solve" 6 different symptoms, rather than selling one simple generic thyroid medication which might solve all 6 symptoms.
Follow the money!
The proof is that now after decades of statin use, the heart attack rate overall has not improved at all. In fact many heart attacks are being had by people who are already on statin drugs and their cholesterol levels are fine.
That only people with cholesterol levels that are extremely high like above 600 ought to consider Statin drug.
Also consider that statin drugs are the #1 money and profit maker for the pharmicuidical companies. They you have the answer as to why Statins are "pushed" so heavily. With no proof what so ever that lowering coholesterol to any certian level is really working.
As Barb points out. with the rampant under diagnosed people out there with low thyroid but the Drs unwilling to treat the thyroid issue to help lower cholesterol and obesity. Will instead pump out handfulls of Statin's, anti depressants, anti anxiety medications, and harp on people to eat right and get excercise and stop being lazy.
Drug companies can make more money selling 6 different drugs to "solve" 6 different symptoms, rather than selling one simple generic thyroid medication which might solve all 6 symptoms.
Follow the money!
COMMUNITY LEADER
My former pcp insisted that I needed to take Crestor, as well for my high cholesterol, when I was first dx'd hypo and I refused, on the grounds that cholesterol levels should come back to normal once thyroid levels were good for me. That is exactly what happened; my latest cholesterol levels were well within the normal range, though triglycerides were another matter.
High triglycerides are associated with insulin resistance/impaired fasting glucose/metabolic syndrome. I've recently been diagnosed with this syndrome and am struggling to get it all under control.
Insulin resistance causes weight gain and/or makes it almost impossible to lose. If not controlled, it can lead to type II diabetes.
IMO, you should look around for another doctor, who will do the appropriate testing, so you know what's going on.
High triglycerides are associated with insulin resistance/impaired fasting glucose/metabolic syndrome. I've recently been diagnosed with this syndrome and am struggling to get it all under control.
Insulin resistance causes weight gain and/or makes it almost impossible to lose. If not controlled, it can lead to type II diabetes.
IMO, you should look around for another doctor, who will do the appropriate testing, so you know what's going on.
Totally agree with the above posters.
Do not take a statin, they have many side effects, and are not shown to work for most.
Being hypothyroid can cause out of wack cholesterol levels. Optimise thyroid levels and your cholesterol numbers should improve.
Do not take a statin, they have many side effects, and are not shown to work for most.
Being hypothyroid can cause out of wack cholesterol levels. Optimise thyroid levels and your cholesterol numbers should improve.
I agree! My former endo wouldn't agree to check anything but my TSH so I stopped seeing her, now my PCP says there is no need to check anything other than TSH. I have gained 7 pounds this week.
"MYTH: Statin drugs are appropriate for men, women, children and the elderly.
FACT: The only group in which statins have been shown to have even a modest effect is in middle-aged men who’ve already had a heart attack. If you’re not in that group, you’ve got no business on a statin drug."
- 8 Cholesterol Myths Your Doctor Still Believes
***
Triglycerides commonly rise due to low thyroid levels. Clearly you are under treated. You don't need a statin, you need an doctor who knows how to optimally treat your thyroid levels!
FACT: The only group in which statins have been shown to have even a modest effect is in middle-aged men who’ve already had a heart attack. If you’re not in that group, you’ve got no business on a statin drug."
- 8 Cholesterol Myths Your Doctor Still Believes
***
Triglycerides commonly rise due to low thyroid levels. Clearly you are under treated. You don't need a statin, you need an doctor who knows how to optimally treat your thyroid levels!
Other than the limited test results you have not mentioned any other symptoms. Please tell us about any symptoms you have noticed.
Now, if it were me, before making that decision I would want to see test results for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4). TSH is a pituitary hormone that is supposed to accurately reflect levels of thyroid hormones, but in reality it cannot be shown to correlate well with either Free T3 or Free T4, much less with hypo symptoms, which is the most important consideration. So, TSH is totally inadequate as the diagnostic by which to medicate a hypo patient.
Once you have a look at test results for Free T3 and Free T4, compared to their reference ranges, I fully expect that you will find your Free T3 is too low in its range, due to inadequate conversion of the T4 med to T3. Free T3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So, at this point I'd get those tests done for Free T3 and Free T4. If the resists, just insist on them and don't take no for an answer. Also, since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, it would be a good idea to test for those as well.
When test results are available, please post results and their ranges and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Now, if it were me, before making that decision I would want to see test results for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4). TSH is a pituitary hormone that is supposed to accurately reflect levels of thyroid hormones, but in reality it cannot be shown to correlate well with either Free T3 or Free T4, much less with hypo symptoms, which is the most important consideration. So, TSH is totally inadequate as the diagnostic by which to medicate a hypo patient.
Once you have a look at test results for Free T3 and Free T4, compared to their reference ranges, I fully expect that you will find your Free T3 is too low in its range, due to inadequate conversion of the T4 med to T3. Free T3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So, at this point I'd get those tests done for Free T3 and Free T4. If the resists, just insist on them and don't take no for an answer. Also, since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, it would be a good idea to test for those as well.
When test results are available, please post results and their ranges and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
