High Cholesterol Support Group
High cholesterol is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is not a disease but a metabolic derangement that can be secondary to many diseases and can contribute to many forms of disease, most notably cardiovascular disease. If you have high cholesterol, join the community to find support and share your experience.
It is estimated that there are about 6 million undiagnosed Americans with low thyroid function. Hypothyroidism sets in gradually over the years, and most people attribute the symptoms to aging, and never seek medical help.
Low thyroid function can elevate cholesterol and triglycerides. General fatigue is the most common complaint, and it may be accompanied by unexplained weight gain. A hypothyroid person may have shorter eyebrows where the outer third of the eyebrow hair has fallen out. Dry itchy skin is another symptom. Feeling cold in a room when everyone else is just fine. Muscle aches. Since every cell in your body has thyroid hormone receptors, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are as many as the stars in the sky.
We have come a long way in thyroid in the last 10 years. We know more now than ever before, and in the past many people who tested positive for hypothyroidism were told by their physicians that "All tests are normal." Sadly, this happened to me as well.
Thats why its important for the thyroid patient to have a basic understanding of what the lab values mean. knowing this could save you from being one of millions who are undiagnosed or under treated for their condition. Notice I said a basic understanding. We won't be our own doctor. But lets learn the basics in terms that anybody can understand, so nobody will be left out in the "cold."
Low thyroid function can elevate cholesterol and triglycerides. General fatigue is the most common complaint, and it may be accompanied by unexplained weight gain. A hypothyroid person may have shorter eyebrows where the outer third of the eyebrow hair has fallen out. Dry itchy skin is another symptom. Feeling cold in a room when everyone else is just fine. Muscle aches. Since every cell in your body has thyroid hormone receptors, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are as many as the stars in the sky.
We have come a long way in thyroid in the last 10 years. We know more now than ever before, and in the past many people who tested positive for hypothyroidism were told by their physicians that "All tests are normal." Sadly, this happened to me as well.
Thats why its important for the thyroid patient to have a basic understanding of what the lab values mean. knowing this could save you from being one of millions who are undiagnosed or under treated for their condition. Notice I said a basic understanding. We won't be our own doctor. But lets learn the basics in terms that anybody can understand, so nobody will be left out in the "cold."
WHAT DOES IT DO? The thyroid gland is kinda like the thermostat in your house, except in your body. The gland emits thyroid hormone, which regulates your metabolism. Lack of thyroid hormone is called hypothyroid, and too much thyroid hormone is called hyperthyroid.
When we have a lack of thyroid hormone, our metabolism slows down, and our body's internal furnace fails to burn off lipids. This can result in high cholesterol and triglycerides in some people.
OK, TELL ME MORE....
There are two types of thyroid hormone. T4 and T3. The thyroid gland produces mostly T4, and some T3. The rest of the T4 in your body slowly gets converted to T3, which is the active thyroid hormone hormone.
T3 puts the kick in your step and the sparkle in your eyes. Without adequate levels of T3, you will be hypothyroid.
TSH: This stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. When the brain senses that your body needs more thyroid hormone. The pituitary gland in the brain sends TSH to tell the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormone. The higher the TSH, the harder the brain is screaming "MAKE MORE THYROID HORMONE!"
WHAT IF THE THYROID CAN"T? Thats called primary hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland has slowly pooped out and is not making enough hormone. It happened so gradually over the last ten years, you simply didn't know it was happening.
Your TSH is high as the brain screams for more thyroid hormone. Your blood levels of T4 and T3 thyroid hormone is low, or sub-optimal, and you feel 20 years older than your age. Your cholesterol is elevated.
This is hypothyroidism.
Concerning the Lupus, I am not qualified to comment as I have not engaged in any in depth studies of Lupus.
This is just speculation, but it may be possible that your fibromyalgia symptoms are a spin off from the thyroid disorder and the lupus.
Keep a file at home of your thyroid labs. Is your physician keeping your TSH, FT4 and FT3 in check? Do you have adequate levels of thyroid hormone?
I'm not sure what you meant when you asked if you have any surprises waiting for you. I can't predict your future,but i can tell you this. Because you have thyroid issues, if you decide to take a cholesterol lowering drug, you are in the high risk group for muscle and nerve problems with these drugs. This is clearly stated in the medical literature.