Low blood pressure

[assured]

I have been diagnosed with possible Hashimoto's and have been on Synthroid 50 mcg for three months now.  I have recently gotten a home blood pressure monitor to keep a check on my blood pressure.  I was always pretty normal in that area - about 120/80 at the drs. office.  Pretty often when I check my bp it's low.  This morning it was 88/66.  I have checked it when going from a prone position to standing and it goes up, not down.

Could the low bp be from the Hashimoto's?  If so, shouldn't it be getting better?  I'm a bit freaked out about this!

Cindy

[GravesLady]

BP changes from hour to hour, day to day, circumstance to circumstance and from a sitting position to standing position. Then there is a matter of how accurate the monitor is (I have one also).   Hypothyroid's tend to run more on the low side and hyperthyroid's tend to run more on the high side.   I wouldn't worry about it unless it continuously runs low and at the doctors office. Then the more important issues would be the PP.  

GL,

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[Letterer]

You might also want to check adrenal function. If your adrenals are stressed or fatigued (pretty common with hypos) getting some adrenal support may help. What kind of other symptoms are you having, and have you started getting any relief on the meds?

You said possible Hashi's - have you had a full panel of thyroid labs done? TSH, FT4, FT3, TPO and Tg antibodies are common panels that are done to evaluate function. If you have labs, maybe you could post them (with the lab ranges) and get some more feedback.

[assured]

I have had blood work done:

9/21/07

TSH 3.47  (0.35-5.00)
fT3  2.7  (1.7-3.7)
fT4  1.2  (0.7-1.5)
TG Antibodies 369 (<20)

10/07

TPO  28 (<35)
T4 can't remember the number, but it was over the range by a couple of points

Thyroid ultrasound indicated heterogenous echogenicity; multi-nodular goiter; dominate solid nodule on left side.

Started Synthroid after those tests.

My BP, like I said always used to be 120/80 at the drs. office.  I am always nervous when seeing the dr.  I also lost 45 pounds a little over a year ago and my BP did go down to more like 110-115/75 at the drs.  I have been feeling a bit light headed for a while now, but when I check my BP it's not always that low when I feel that way.

Also my morning cortisol was 18.8 (2.9-19.4) in 09/07.  That may have been affected by my being stressed by the blood draw, which I always am.

I have dry skin, no libido, anxiety/panic, dry eyes, sore muscles (feels like someone beat me up sometimes), etc.  I seem to sleep pretty well, some tiredness during the day, but not too bad.

Cindy

[Letterer]

You might want to have the saliva test for adrenals - that gives you results for 4 separate times throughout the day and can help determine if adrenals are stressed. Your morning # is in range but if you have any other results that are off during other parts of the day it may offer more info. Often, if adrenal support is needed, there can be a poor response to thyroid meds until adrenal function is optimized. Google "adrenal fatigue" and see what you think in relation to your situation.

Have you done follow-up labs recently? You've been over 12 weeks since the last test and should get rechecked soon. Have you been checked for vitamin deficiencies? Many people on here post problems with low iron/ferritin, B12, vit D, etc.

I hope this is helping - I'm still learning the basics here, but I'm sure others will be along who will have more to add for you soon.

[assured]

I am scheduled to see the endo in two weeks.  

Blood tests 12/07/07:  B12 699 (211-911); Folic Acid 17.1 (>5.4); Ferritin 104 (10-291)

I did have saliva testing done 6/18/07

morning 23 (13-24)
noon 3 (5-10)
afternoon 2 (3-8)
midnight 2 (1-4)

Cortisol burden 30 (23-42)
DHEA  3 (3-10)

I get anxious about EVERYTHING health related, so I am sure that there was at least some anxiety when I got up to spit in that tube!  

Cindy

[Letterer]

Well, you've definitely been doing your homework! Your cortisol is low for noon and afternoon - what did your doctor comment on that? I don't have much experience with this stuff, but IMO your results maybe warrant some support. I think BP fluctuations are a symptom of adrenals being off.

Keep checking back - hopefully somebody with more experience will be able to shed some light.