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Can Thyroid Disease Cause Hypertension?
Question: I have had prehypertension for a couple of years, where my systolic # has been between 140-155, however, yesterday, I got up and felt awful. Sluggish, could not go to work, extremely tired, headachy.......did not think much about blood pressure until the afternoon and decided I would take it. I had top numbers in the 160s for 2 hrs and was not hardly doing anything at all. Today feel fine. Took blood pressure around 4:00 and it was 142/72. Bottom # always good. My question is: About 3 years ago, I had a saliva test done at the office of a homeopathic dr to help me with wt loss and he said my cortisol levels were extremely high. I also know from going to an endocrinologist 30 years ago that I have Hashimotos. Any ideas about whether my endocrine system is somehow affecting my BP? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Tests
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
There are several endocrine causes of hypertension such as
Acromegaly
Cushing's syndrome
Conn's syndrome
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Hypercalcemia
Pheochromocytoma
Hashimoto's thyroiditis typically tends to cause Hypothyroidism.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid) Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Tests
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
There are several endocrine causes of hypertension such as
Acromegaly
Cushing's syndrome
Conn's syndrome
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Hypercalcemia
Pheochromocytoma
Hashimoto's thyroiditis typically tends to cause Hypothyroidism.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid) Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have started taking blood pressure 3-4 times (different times of day per dr's suggestion. It was not a very stressful day AT ALL at work and I only worked around 4.5 hrs. At the end of those hrs (around 2:00 p.m.), I took my BP and top # was 174, and 173 when I did it a 2nd time to ensure accuracy. Another speech path observed it and saw the numbers for herself. Bottom #88; pulse 87. Again, neither of those concern me. Interesting that both times it was really high was in the afternoon, but neither time was I super active or under any emotional stress. I am not going back to the first dr I had, bc of his dismissive attitude, like it was no big deal. I have an appt with another dr, who come highly recommended by my gyn and also a good friend. The appt is March 1, so we will see what she has to say. Is it true that the basic thyroid hormones tested in a general CBC smattering may not show up more specific endocrinological disorders OR if those come out negative can I assume it is nothing of an endocrine nature? I am asking bc first dr told me if I do the basic lab which includes 2 thyroid tests and they came out negative, then no point in going to the endocrinologist. Do you think that is good advice or should I go to endocrinologist anyway? I will certainly be listening to this 2nd dr anyway, bc I think she is going to be a lot more discerning. Thanks for your continued support and answers!
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
It is worth consulting an endocrinologist personally to be reasonably certain there are no endocrine causes contributing to your blood pressure. Some tests are complex in nature and require specific methods which endocrinologists are well versed with
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
It is worth consulting an endocrinologist personally to be reasonably certain there are no endocrine causes contributing to your blood pressure. Some tests are complex in nature and require specific methods which endocrinologists are well versed with
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
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