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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Rise In Cholesterol In Hashimoto's Patients?

I am a 53 years old female. Diagnosed with Hashimoto 06/06 and been on 50mcg of synthroid. Today my T4 total was 6.0.../Free T4 1.0....free T3 2.6 and 3rd generation Tsh 24.11. I am to take 88mcg of synthroid now. Everything was okay in 12/10 bloodwork. Subsequent re occurance of breast cancer and chemo? Vitamin blood level 24, total cholestrol now 228, Hdl 82 and tri 78. Could the increase in cholestrol from 179 to 228 be due to hypothryroidism or something else???? Am also taking 1mg anastrozole. Thank you.
Tue, 16 Aug 2016
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Dietitian & Nutritionist 's  Response
Welcome to HealthcareMagic!
My goodness, you have a lot going on! Just looking over your profile I think I can help you understand some of what is happening to you.
The first thing I saw is that your TSH is above desired levels. The current recommended range by the American College of Endocrinologists is .3 - 3. Your elevated TSH is an indication that the thyroid is not being treated correctly. Free T4 is usually normal at 4-11. It looks as if your thyroid hormone is not going from T4 to T3 (active hormone) which gets into the feedback loop and tells the pituitary it is not getting enough thyroxine so TSH goes up to stimulate T4 to make T3. T3 is regulated, among other things on selenium.

There are special diets that are instructed to hypothyroid patients that have their illness due to iodine deficiency; then there is hypothyroidism because of selenium deficiency; Hashimotos which is auto immune and requires restriction of iodine, cruciferous vegies, soy, etc. Your diet needs to work with the type of thyroid disorder you have, which many doctors are not aware of. You can optimize thyroid function by using diet for optimal function.

Apparently you have not been instructed on a Hashimoto diet. I suggest you find someone who is familiar with the diet or visit me as a Specialist as I know the diet.

Breast cancer may also affect thyroid functioning or the meds given to treat they breast cancer may affect it.

Definitely the thyroid function is tied into lipid metabolism. A poorly functioning thyroid may lead to high blood lipids. Your triglycerides are in an excellent level at 89, your cholesterol elevation seems consistent with the decline in thyroid function but take solace in the fact that your HDL are excellent and they are the transporters that take cholesterol out of the body so it doesn't stick to the artery walls and cause plaque buildup.

Anastrozole for breast cancer is also known to increase cholesterol.

Vitamin blood level 24 for what vitamin? Please clarify.

I hope I have explained a few things. i have a clinic here as a Specialist and as a Direct Query whereby you can request me by name.

Regards, Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
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What Causes Rise In Cholesterol In Hashimoto's Patients?

Welcome to HealthcareMagic! My goodness, you have a lot going on! Just looking over your profile I think I can help you understand some of what is happening to you. The first thing I saw is that your TSH is above desired levels. The current recommended range by the American College of Endocrinologists is .3 - 3. Your elevated TSH is an indication that the thyroid is not being treated correctly. Free T4 is usually normal at 4-11. It looks as if your thyroid hormone is not going from T4 to T3 (active hormone) which gets into the feedback loop and tells the pituitary it is not getting enough thyroxine so TSH goes up to stimulate T4 to make T3. T3 is regulated, among other things on selenium. There are special diets that are instructed to hypothyroid patients that have their illness due to iodine deficiency; then there is hypothyroidism because of selenium deficiency; Hashimotos which is auto immune and requires restriction of iodine, cruciferous vegies, soy, etc. Your diet needs to work with the type of thyroid disorder you have, which many doctors are not aware of. You can optimize thyroid function by using diet for optimal function. Apparently you have not been instructed on a Hashimoto diet. I suggest you find someone who is familiar with the diet or visit me as a Specialist as I know the diet. Breast cancer may also affect thyroid functioning or the meds given to treat they breast cancer may affect it. Definitely the thyroid function is tied into lipid metabolism. A poorly functioning thyroid may lead to high blood lipids. Your triglycerides are in an excellent level at 89, your cholesterol elevation seems consistent with the decline in thyroid function but take solace in the fact that your HDL are excellent and they are the transporters that take cholesterol out of the body so it doesn t stick to the artery walls and cause plaque buildup. Anastrozole for breast cancer is also known to increase cholesterol. Vitamin blood level 24 for what vitamin? Please clarify. I hope I have explained a few things. i have a clinic here as a Specialist and as a Direct Query whereby you can request me by name. Regards, Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN