[cathycnm]

#1019176

Hi all – I wanted to share a small step in success of my Grave’s journey. Last fall, after RAI (when I was hypo) my employer drew screening labs that are part of our insurance program. My cholesterol and LDL were both borderline – increasing my cardiac risk from small to moderate. Everyone hoped that when the thyroid stabilized, the labs would return to normal. (Please realize that even before I was DXed with Graves, I started working on eating at home more and cooking healthy. I was distraught to see that I moved the numbers the wrong direction.) Both my endo and PCP wanted to retest after my TSH was normalized. So, 6 months later with a TSH of 1.86 – we re-check and it has gotten worse!!! I came home and cried my eyes out. ” title=”Sad” />

I talked with my endo about it – he was pretty concerned about potential for plaque build up in my heart with my thyroid being essentially gone from the RAI. He ordered a calcium scan of my heart, which did show that I was in the very beginning stages of laying down plaque. He started me on one of the statins 2 months ago.

Hooray – my cholesterol is 122 and my LDL is 63!!!!! Those #s are wonderful (still some work to do on the HDL). After diagnosis with three chronic illnesses in 4 years, it feels so good to know I am finally healing!!!

I know I mentioned in a previous post that I think my endo is the best doc as far as managing the big picture of osteoporosis and Grave’s. My PCPs initial response to my second high cholesterol was to ask me to double my exercise (I walk or run 2 hours a day routinely) and to quit eating junk. My endo said – those values are genetic and if you are forming plaque, you need meds. And so, I feel good about my choices and wanted to share my success. For those newly diagnosed – It takes time but it does happen – we do heal. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[Ladymarye]

#1069862

Congratulations on your success! Just as GD has a different capacity of how affects each person who has it….how we deal with it is also individual. You seem to have found the best mix of Drs, treatments, and attitude! Way to go! ” title=”Very Happy” /> Mary

[cathycnm]

#1069863

Thanks, Mary. I was honestly pleasantly stunned by the quick response to a statin. Technically, it is suppose to create a 20% drop and mine cholesterol and LDL are half what they were 2 months ago.

The statin was obviously part of the mix. I also wonder if, because I was hypo in the fall, the levels are responding to normal thyroid levels. There is some new research in the field of the hypothyroid-cholesterol connection – and the endos are now recommending thyroid labs BEFORE anyone starts on cholesterol lowering meds. The thyroid being hypo makes that much difference. And since high cholesterol is closely linked to heart disease – which kills more Americans than anything else – I think it is good to be aware of that. After RAI – we are all technically hypo on replacement. We need to remember to take care of our hearts – always.

Also – another cholesterol tidbit is the plant sterols/stenols that are available over the counter in most pharmacies. When I saw the dietitian a few months ago – she advised 3-4 grams a day. There is some good research to support their use – I believe they claim up to 5-20% reduction in cholesterol. The gut thinks these are animal cholesterol – so absorbs them in place of animal cholesterol. But once in the liver, which recognizes the difference, they are chucked out (back through the bowel) like yesterday’s trash. It is worth asking your doctor about for any of us who are post RAI. Cathy

[Ski]

#1069864

Once we’ve reached our best normal, stable thyroid hormone levels on replacement, we are no longer hypothyroid ~ just wanted to clarify that one point. The only way we continue hypothyroid is if we do not take enough replacement hormone, so if our levels are right FOR US (banging my oh-so-familar drum), there should be no associated issues with cholesterol as a result. My cholesterol readings are very low, and I’ve been on replacement hormone for about eight years, with no adjustments in diet, or adding meds to control cholesterol.

[cathycnm]

#1069865

Ski – True enough – thanks for clarifying. I guess there is always more chance for us to have hypo dips than someone who has a working thyroid if demand changes for some reason. It is good to know our cholesterol levels and if they do go up – to think that our thyroid may be off.

In the short time (less than 1 year) that I had cholesterol issues (started when I was hypo), I did lay down some plaque (minor but real) in my heart. That means I will always need to keep an eye on my cholesterol to be sure those plaques are not growing. In the best of all worlds – the statin will get rid of them – which is one of the reasons my endo wants me on that med. It may be a life long thing I need to do now to prevent further damage. In my case, there are some genetics playing into the plaque formation. Still – I firmly believe my hypo was the trigger – then high cholesterol – then plaque (which is what causes hardening of the arteries – actually an inflammation of the vessel). Beta blockers are another potential cause of temporary high cholesterol – and I was on those just before crashing quickly to hypo.

Good for you on the cholesterol – I am impressed. For today – I am feeling a huge success in my step toward being in great – even exemplary health – again in the near future.

[cathycnm]

#1069866

One additional thought pops to my head after reading my first post of the day. Now that my TSH is normal and has been adjusted so that "I feel like myself again" – I can tell you that I am almost totally weaned off the sleep med/antidepressant (that I needed during both hyper/hypo periods), my weight is back to a normal BMI, I am exercising and generally enjoying life again – so in no way to I feel hypothyroid. If I were to rate my health – I would,once again, give it high ratings!!! I would have no problem recommending RAI with replacement to anyone who felt this was a good choice for them.

Sometimes when physicians order cholesterol tests or meds after we have RAI they use "hypothyroid" as the diagnosis so that the insurance will pay. It does not mean we are hypo once our levels are stable on replacement – but it is a label we may see on our charts, labslips, etc – even after we are back to normal thyroid levels. That is what I was referring to when I said "hypo on replacement" – just insurance lingo.

So – hope that makes my previous post clearer.

[hyperm]

#1069867

Whooop whoop ( with that "Go Ricky" as in Ricky lake motion) ” title=”Smile” /> ” title=”Smile” /> ” title=”Smile” />

Great news Cathy! So pleased for you! xxx

[cathycnm]

#1069868

Thank you, thank you. My bone scan is next month (I had osteo before Graves – in fact we found the Graves when I failed on the top-of-the-line bone building med). So, I had one year on the bone med after RAI – which means I may have made some progress. I can only be on the med for 2 years due to FDA restrictions. If I have made progress, then I will believe I am on the upswing from all of this. As a women’s health practitioner, I never dreamed menopause would hold these health surprizes. When I look at it, all are things that were "silent" diseases – osteoporosis, Grave’s (I had some symptoms but you guys all know how non-specific they can be) and high cholesterol. I just want to put the word out that I might still be unaware of one or all of them if I was not getting regular health screenings. Imagine having severe osteoporosis – not knowing – then getting Grave’s (that can also thin bones). It is important to take care of ourselves, especially during transitions like menopause. Every one of my silent diseases can be related to (not necessarly directly caused by) menopause. So – I will keep you posted on my scan. If it is improved, we can do an internet toast or something. ” title=”Very Happy” /> Seriously, I would probably sob with joy. What a journey these past 4 years!

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