Thyroid levels and blood pressure

[SMRspain]

Checks for persistantly high blood pressure brought the specialists attention to abnormally high thyroid readings.  Been on thyroxine 300 for past 40 years after remova lof thyroid gland.  Was told never to change the dose by the surgeon.

Current specialist wants me to reduce to 100 as my levels are twice as high as they should be.  He also thinks this has something to do with the blood pressure problem.

After so long on such a high dose I am used to feeling as I do and running on high energy.  I fear that the reduction will make me tired and lethargic.  I also fear the consequences of high blood pressuread all the medication I have been prescribed for that.

How can I expect to feel while withdrawing from my high dose of thyroxine?

Has anyone got expereince of the blood pressure issue whilst on thyroxine?

Thanks for your attention

[kl42]

my bp was sky high also. but when numbers got into good range bp went from 170/100 100 pulse to 120/80 70 pulse. also you sleep and rest better and have better energy because of it.

[Barb135]

Right now, your levels show that you are hyper....... if you drop your medication further than necessary, you run the risk of going too far and becoming hypo, which is what I meant by "swing you into hypo".

Since levothyroxine has a long 1/2 life, it will take a while to get the medication out of your system, but there's no need to reduce more than necessary to get your levels into a normal range.

[SMRspain]

What is the best way to reduce?  Should I go down to 200 for a week and then go further?  

What symptoms am I likely to experience and should i just work through them?

What do you mean by 'swing you into hypo^'

Thank you

[Barb135]

Are the tests for T3 and T4, for Free or Total values?  There's a difference between the 2.  If your lab report doesn't specify Free then they will be total.  The ranges are what we often see for Frees, but we always need to specify.

I can't imagine why the surgeon would tell you never to change your dose; everyone needs adjustment in their medication at some point.  

Yes, I agree that your levels are too high and that you need to reduce your dosage.  I'm just afraid that going down by 200 mcg/day is going to be too much and will swing you into hypo.

Since many/most people feel best with FT4 about mid range and FT3 in the upper 1/3 of its range, it might not take you long to get down where you  need to be.  You'll need to retest every few weeks until your levels are right for you.  

Please don't let your doctor be swayed only by TSH, though; it's the FT3 and FT4 that determine how you feel.

[SMRspain]

reference ranges 2.30 -4.20 for T3

0.89 - 1.76  for T4

[SMRspain]

T3 is 5.33
T4 is 3.24
TSH is 0.005

blood pressure is 170/80

Thank you for yur help

[Barb135]

I agree that dropping from 300 mcg to 100 in one swoop will not only make you feel like ran into a wall, but probably like you got ran over by a mack truck, after you bounced off the wall...........

I've been on blood pressure medications since I was in my late 30's, but when my thyroid levels aren't right, for me, I have more trouble controlling it.  

As gimel said, if you could post your latest thyroid tests, members could better assess your situation and comment more fully.

[gimel]

If you just drop from 300 mcg to 100 I think you will feel like you ran into a wall.  Please post your thyroid test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report so that members can assess the adequacy of your testing and the doctor's direction to reduce your meds by 67%.