Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Hi all,
I was diagnosed on 12/12/18 with hypothyroidism with a TSH level of 5.1 uIU/ML. (During this visit on 12/12 my blood pressure was also high: 130/90). My doctor put me on 25 mcg of Levothyroxine which brought me back to a normal level of 2.06 uIU/ML six weeks later on 2/6/19. (During this visit on 2/16 my blood pressure was normal: 120/80 and again on 2/27: 118/70) I thought everything was okay until I went back for my routine blood work on 7/31/19. My TSH level shot up to a 10.46 uIU/ML which would explain why I was feeling so sluggish and still gaining weight. I am now on 75 mcg of Levothyroxine. I am following up in the six-week period to test the levels again.
Well, long story short, with my TSH level at 10.46 now, my blood pressure is through the roof at times. I've ended up in the ER twice. (My blood pressure has always been normal, if not low at times, my entire life.) Is anybody else having this problem with Hypothyroidism and your BP skyrocketing? What are you doing to manage and cope? I can't take Losartan (ended up in the ER with tachycardia and my BP went into crisis high). I can't take Amlodipine as it did the same thing and actually causes hypothyroidism. Now the doctor wants to try me on a beta blocker. I do not want to take any more pills!!! My work is sedentary but I do try to walk at least 2 miles a day. I'm currently drinking some organic beet juice and pomegrante juice along with at least 8 glasses of water a day. My intake of leafy greens has increased even more if that was even possible. I love salads! I'm taking garlic extract and Omega 3s. I've completely cut out alcohol and caffeine. I was taking hawthorn tablets but I don't like it. So I drink an occasional cup of hawthorn and hibiscus calming tea instead. I'm not sure what else to do. Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you in advance!
PS - I'm hoping to get in to see an endocrinologist. I'm waiting for a call back to see if she will take me in as a new patient.
I am sorry you are having difficulties.
Are the thyroid levels of the Free T3 and the Free T4 have been checked? The Levothyroxine is a T4 med which the Free T4 needs to be checked to make any dose adjustments with.
Have you been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which the TPOab and the TgAb antibodies are checked?
Look for several lists/charts on the goitrogen types of foods which can lower down thyroid levels and cause even more problems.
https://www.google.com/search?q=goitrogenic+foods+list&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS810US810&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQrt64uorkAhX0JjQIHZ3VALIQ_AUIESgB&biw=1366&bih=625#imgrc=_
{{{hugs}}}
The next goal is to work on taking the correct amount of Levo to get the Free T4 to the upper third of the lab reference range to feel best there at. This will help with all symptoms including the higher blood pressure.
{{{hugs}}}
I'm still trying to get in to see an endocrinologist that my PCP referred me to who hasn't returned my calls and her receptionist was sort of rude. I'm going to try to call another endo on Monday. I definitely want a thorough exam with EVERYTHING checked.
My BP is all over the place from 117/90 to 170s/100s. I had a bad morning yesterday, almost fainted during my walk and then my heart started pounding when I finally got to my driveway. After that, I was off all day - dizzy, headache, nauseous. I ended up in the ER again last night with such a bad headache my teeth were actually throbbing. And I had the sensation of "swooshing" in my head and ears going with my pulse, and I was still very dizzy. My BP was 178/120 but came down before I left to 150/100. This morning it was 111/84. Go figure!!! I'm happy about that!!! I'm hoping that with all the walking, eating better, and maybe the Synthroid is finally starting to work... that it finally comes down to normal. I haven't seen my diastolic BP in the 80s in three weeks. Fingers crossed! I do feel a lot better today, but took it easy and just did a bit of gardening.
Oh, and sorry... made a typo in my original post. I was started on 50 mcg when first diagnosed not 25. Now, I'm on 75 mcg.
Thanks for the replies. Very much appreciated! ((HUGS))