Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Hypothyroidism And High Cholesterol Levels
Question: Hello Doctor,
I have been suffering from Hypothyroidism since 2009. I have been taking medicine regularly.
My TSH level was 51.39 in Oct-2013. Since then I have been taking Eltroxin 150 mcg. Now my TSH levels have increased to 98.53. My blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels have also increased. Attached is the recent blood test report.
Due to this I'm having too much weight gain (15 KGs gained in last 1 year!), weakness and mood swing and related problems.
Can you please check the blood test report and prescribe if I should change the dosage of Eltroxin or go for any other treatment/medication? Also please prescribe medication for weight loss as well.
Please let me know, if you need any other information.
Thanks & Regards,
XXXX
I have been suffering from Hypothyroidism since 2009. I have been taking medicine regularly.
My TSH level was 51.39 in Oct-2013. Since then I have been taking Eltroxin 150 mcg. Now my TSH levels have increased to 98.53. My blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels have also increased. Attached is the recent blood test report.
Due to this I'm having too much weight gain (15 KGs gained in last 1 year!), weakness and mood swing and related problems.
Can you please check the blood test report and prescribe if I should change the dosage of Eltroxin or go for any other treatment/medication? Also please prescribe medication for weight loss as well.
Please let me know, if you need any other information.
Thanks & Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note that your thyroid is not being regulated properly.
This is not a particularly challenging task for a qualified endocrinologist. So I hope you find one soon to get your dose adjust optimally so that you start feeling better.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically increase the dose to 175 mcg and check TSH in 6 weeks
I also screen for the possibility of eltroxin not being absorbed well. I make sure the patient is taking the medication correctly 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast and away from any other pills , especially calcium and iron which are notorious in decreasing the absorption of eltroxin from the gut.
Then there are less common conditions like celiac disease that I consider which can hamper the absorption of eltroxin.
Once your TSH is stable in the target range of 0.4 to 2, with Free T4 towards the higher end of normal, your cholesterol/ triglycerides are expected to improve.
Your weight will likely go down as well.
So you may not need weight loss pills, in that case
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note that your thyroid is not being regulated properly.
This is not a particularly challenging task for a qualified endocrinologist. So I hope you find one soon to get your dose adjust optimally so that you start feeling better.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically increase the dose to 175 mcg and check TSH in 6 weeks
I also screen for the possibility of eltroxin not being absorbed well. I make sure the patient is taking the medication correctly 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast and away from any other pills , especially calcium and iron which are notorious in decreasing the absorption of eltroxin from the gut.
Then there are less common conditions like celiac disease that I consider which can hamper the absorption of eltroxin.
Once your TSH is stable in the target range of 0.4 to 2, with Free T4 towards the higher end of normal, your cholesterol/ triglycerides are expected to improve.
Your weight will likely go down as well.
So you may not need weight loss pills, in that case
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry, I didn't understand your response properly. It's bit confusing!
Should I start taking Eltroxin 175 mcg?
Which other test should I do to confirm if Eltroxin is not absorbed properly?
Thanks for your advise!
Should I start taking Eltroxin 175 mcg?
Which other test should I do to confirm if Eltroxin is not absorbed properly?
Thanks for your advise!
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
When I see patients in my practice who present with laboratory results similar to yours I increase their eltroxin dose by 25 mcg and recheck TSH in 4 to 6 weeks.
I also examine them to find evidence of conditions associated with lack of absorption of the medication. Examples are mentioned in my first reply. Based upon what I find on examination, I proceed to blood tests to confirm my suspicion or to rule the problem out.
Fo example if I suspect celiac disease I order blood tests for tissue transglutaminase antibodies and anti-endomysial antibodies (and sometimes even IgA levels). If any of these are positive I refer them to a gastroenterologist for a small bowel biopsy to be certain of the diagnosis
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
When I see patients in my practice who present with laboratory results similar to yours I increase their eltroxin dose by 25 mcg and recheck TSH in 4 to 6 weeks.
I also examine them to find evidence of conditions associated with lack of absorption of the medication. Examples are mentioned in my first reply. Based upon what I find on examination, I proceed to blood tests to confirm my suspicion or to rule the problem out.
Fo example if I suspect celiac disease I order blood tests for tissue transglutaminase antibodies and anti-endomysial antibodies (and sometimes even IgA levels). If any of these are positive I refer them to a gastroenterologist for a small bowel biopsy to be certain of the diagnosis
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
