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Suggest Treatment For Elevated Cholesterol Levels While Having Hyperthyroidism
I have hyperthyroidism. Over 34 years ago I developed a nodule on my thyroid and had it removed with a radioactive pill. For a short time I was given Tapazole and was removed from it. I am now 72 yrs old and have developed hyperthyroidism. I am scared to death. My TSH has gone from roughly 3 to 12+. I have been on 3 diffierent types of medicine == the last is Armour Thyroid 15 mg. I started out with 10 mg. My Dr has just told me my cholestrol is high -- please help. My email address is YYYY@YYYY
Mon, 19 Sep 2016
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
By what you explain in the history of having a nodule removed with a radioactive pill (which kills thyroid cells and might predispose for hypothyroidism- low thyroid function) and the actual TSH leves above 5 you seem to be having hypothyroidism. The high TSH levels do not mean increased function of thyroid but reduced function of thyroid.
This in a way is a much better news than hyperthyroid. Low thyroid function is easily treated with thyroid hormone daily and little needed investigations while increased thyroid function treatment is more complicated.
Low thyroid function also predisposes for high lipid levels as thyroid is important for lipid metabolism. What I would recommend is:
1. Do not panic, these are both conditions (low thyroid function and high lipids) that are very common, easily treated and many times treating thyroid function well (by giving thyroid hormones) improves lipid levels also.
2. Continue your treatment with armour as your doctor said (it is a thyroid hormone) and check TSH every 6-12 months.
3. You will need dose adjustment of armour according to TSH levels and when you have TSH 0.5-5 than do not do anymore changes of Armour but check TSH every 3 months
4. When TSH is in normal values (0.5-5) than check lipids- if they are still high there is treatment with statins (atorvastatine) that your doctor might prescribe for you
5. Many medications and their doses we should be very careful in elderly as they may might need lower doses and still have more risks for side effects so please do not do any dose adjustment or add any medications without the advise of your doctor.
6. After you start the treatment for the lipids you will need to check every 3-6 months the level of lipids in blood and the same time check TSH also.
I hope this answers to your question and is helpful to you
Best regards,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
By what you explain in the history of having a nodule removed with a radioactive pill (which kills thyroid cells and might predispose for hypothyroidism- low thyroid function) and the actual TSH leves above 5 you seem to be having hypothyroidism. The high TSH levels do not mean increased function of thyroid but reduced function of thyroid.
This in a way is a much better news than hyperthyroid. Low thyroid function is easily treated with thyroid hormone daily and little needed investigations while increased thyroid function treatment is more complicated.
Low thyroid function also predisposes for high lipid levels as thyroid is important for lipid metabolism. What I would recommend is:
1. Do not panic, these are both conditions (low thyroid function and high lipids) that are very common, easily treated and many times treating thyroid function well (by giving thyroid hormones) improves lipid levels also.
2. Continue your treatment with armour as your doctor said (it is a thyroid hormone) and check TSH every 6-12 months.
3. You will need dose adjustment of armour according to TSH levels and when you have TSH 0.5-5 than do not do anymore changes of Armour but check TSH every 3 months
4. When TSH is in normal values (0.5-5) than check lipids- if they are still high there is treatment with statins (atorvastatine) that your doctor might prescribe for you
5. Many medications and their doses we should be very careful in elderly as they may might need lower doses and still have more risks for side effects so please do not do any dose adjustment or add any medications without the advise of your doctor.
6. After you start the treatment for the lipids you will need to check every 3-6 months the level of lipids in blood and the same time check TSH also.
I hope this answers to your question and is helpful to you
Best regards,
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