You’re innocent until proven guilty, right?
Or, are you guilty until proven innocent? Imagine this…
You’ve been convicted of a murder you didn’t commit.
You spend decades behind bars while your name is thrown through the mud and everyone around the world despises you.
Then you’re proven innocent… only to be convicted of the same crime yet again and thrown back in jail for decades more.
Now, imagine this happens to you four times in a row.
While this may seem like a made for TV crime series, it’s actually very real.
The innocent party here is… cholesterol.
And it’s been proven innocent yet again (and hopefully for the final time).
This should be a day of celebration for you.
Why?
Because cholesterol is essential to your thyroid health.
And higher cholesterol might just help the millions of thyroid sufferers like you worldwide.
I’ll explain what I mean in a minute.
First, it’s important to understand that cholesterol has never been the cause of heart disease.
Think about it…
If every time you see an out of control fire you also see firemen, does that mean that firemen must be the cause of all those fires?
Of course not!
Well, then you shouldn’t be so quick to blame cholesterol for heart disease either.
It’s never been proven to cause heart attacks or heart disease.
In fact, much like the firemen are actually trying to help put those fires out…
…your cholesterol is actually trying to help protect you (and your thyroid) in much the same way.
Cholesterol is NOT the Cause of Heart Disease (Hypothyroidism Is)
The truth is that hypothyroidism was first discovered to be the cause of heart attacks in 1890.
And the hypothyroidism and cholesterol connection was established back in the 1930’s.
Even research today continues to prove what we have already known for well over 100 years now.
For example, take a look at the graph below.
This data was taken directly from the HUNT Study, the largest population-based heart disease study ever conducted.
And it shows very clearly that your “bad cholesterol” rises in direct correlation to your thyroid function.
Image Source: Eur J Endocrinol February 1, 2007 156 181-186
But this isn’t something you’ll ever hear from your doctor.
And that’s because the medical community and pharmaceutical industry has spent the past 60 years trying to convict cholesterol for the deaths of over a half a million people every single year.
But time and time again all charges against cholesterol have been dropped.
Starting in the 1950’s, so called “heart healthy” polyunsaturated fats were recommended after discovering that they could lower cholesterol.
This was great until further research proved the opposite and showed that those ”heart healthy” fats actually increased your risk of heart disease.
Not only that, but research shows that polyunsaturated fats are extremely thyroid suppressive as they block every part of your Thyroid Hormone Pathway.
(Note: Want to learn more about your Thyroid Hormone Pathway and why our approach to hypothyroidism is so effective? Then take a look at this article on “How We Overcome Hypothyroidism When All Else Fails”).
Then in the 1970’s, the US declared war on high cholesterol foods and promoted a low cholesterol diet.
However, this trial was over before it even started.
Endocrinologist and thyroid expert, Dr. Broda Barnes had already shown through his hypothyroidism and heart disease research that low cholesterol diets actually made heart disease worse.
“…the low cholesterol diet had not only failed to protect the arteries, but the damage was increased four fold.” Dr. Broda Barnes
I’ll tell you more about why Dr. Broda is so important in just minute.
Then starting in the 1980’s, the pharmaceutical industry again declared war against cholesterol with the inception of cholesterol lowering Statin drugs.
Unfortunately statin drugs have been proven useless as they don’t actually save any lives at all.
Statins and all-cause mortality in high-risk primary prevention: a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials involving 65,229 participants.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20585067
CONCLUSION: This literature-based meta-analysis did not find evidence for the benefit of statin therapy on all-cause mortality in a high-risk primary prevention set-up.
However, they have been shown to increase your risk of diabetes, increase muscle wasting, and decrease libido.
That brings us to today…
We’ve finally got it right this time, they say.
It’s all about “good cholesterol” vs. “bad cholesterol” right?
WRONG.
And the latest pharmaceutical drugs developed to prevent heart disease have proven it.
A new class of cholesterol drugs was developed that effectively increases “good” HDL cholesterol while at the same time decreases “bad” LDL cholesterol. The results?
They’ve stopped all clinical trials because all three of these newly developed drugs failed big time.
“We have a paradox: here we’ve got an agent that more than doubles the levels of good cholesterol and lowers bad cholesterol and yet has no effect on clinical events [heart attacks]” Professor Stephen Nicholls – lead author on Evacetrapib clinical trials
In other words, “good cholesterol” vs. “bad cholesterol” makes no difference at all.
So, as it turns out… “bad cholesterol” isn’t quite as “bad” as you might think.
Through all of these trials, cholesterol has been proven innocent… and rightfully so.
Because what you might not realize is that anything you do to artificially lower your cholesterol is dangerous to your thyroid.
Why Lowering Your “Bad” Cholesterol Is “Bad” for Your Thyroid
As mentioned previously, hypothyroidism and cholesterol are directly related… especially “bad cholesterol”.
That’s right.
The more hypothyroid you become, the higher your cholesterol rises.
This is why long before modern day thyroid tests were developed, doctors were trained to test for elevated cholesterol as an indicator of hypothyroidism.
This is because you need thyroid hormone (T3) to use cholesterol efficiently.
Your body requires cholesterol, thyroid hormone (T3), and Vitamin A to produce all of your protective steroidal hormones including…
- Pregnenolone
- Progesterone
- DHEA
- Testosterone
But when you’re hypothyroid and lack thyroid hormone, you can’t convert cholesterol into these important hormones and so cholesterol rises accordingly.
Treating thyroid patients with T3 can quickly lower cholesterol levels back down to normal because your body is actually using the cholesterol and increasing production of these hormones.
Yet, artificially lowering cholesterol through diet, drugs, supplements, or otherwise when your body still can’t use that cholesterol is very dangerous…
…because it further lowers your levels of these protective steroidal hormones.
And without these essential hormones, you’ll always be hypothyroid.
Take progesterone for example.
Progesterone plays an important role in activating the enzymes that allow your thyroid gland to release thyroid hormone into your bloodstream.
Progesterone deficiency alone is a very common cause of hypothyroidism today.
And it should be no surprise that a deficiency in any/all of these protective steroidal hormones is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
But what might surprise you is this…
Hypothyroidism Is the True Cause of Heart Disease Today
As I mentioned previously, hypothyroidism was first discovered to be the cause of heart attacks way back in 1890.
Yet, because heart disease was so rare at this time, it didn’t warrant further studies.
That is until it was brought back to light by the work and research of Dr. Broda Barnes.
Dr. Broda Barnes is well known for thyroid and heart disease research and proving that hypothyroidism was the cause of heart disease.
He showed this through both his extensive autopsy research from Graz, Austria along with his own clinical research in the US.
Dr. Barnes conducted his own clinical study of patients being treated for hypothyroidism with desiccated thyroid replacement therapy.
Based on the established heart attack rates at the time, it was predicted that 72 of his study patients would experience a heart attack at some time during this study.
But that’s not what happened at all… only 4 of the study patients did.
That’s a 94% reduction in attacks without any changes other than treating these patients with desiccated thyroid replacement therapy.
And Dr. Broda Barnes determined the proper thyroid dosage for these patients, not based on lab testing, but through a similar method as we teach in our Ultimate Thyroid Testing Protocol training.
(Note: This testing protocol is not only more accurate than lab testing, it can be done easily from home, for free, and in five minutes. You can get it for free by clicking here.)
Dr. Broda Barnes showed that with proper testing and thyroid treatment, we could save hundreds of thousands of lives a year that are lost to heart disease.
Unfortunately, while his work has never been refuted or further studied, it simply continues to be ignored by the medical system today.
But that’s not even the worst part…
In their process of wrongly convicting cholesterol, they’ve been responsible for the deaths of millions of people.
The Untold Dangers of Low Cholesterol
Have you heard that your cholesterol could be too low?
Probably not.
And I’m sure you’re doctor has never told you that low cholesterol is deadlier than high cholesterol.
And this is a major problem today that I continue to see with my clients.
A few years ago, after reviewing a client’s lab work I noticed that his cholesterol was around 150 mg/dL, which is dangerously low.
When I asked him about it, he said that his doctor had just put him on a Statin drug to further lower his cholesterol because, as his doctor put it… “it could be better.”
That’s pure madness.
What your doctor doesn’t know is that while your risk of death due to heart disease might be slightly better with low cholesterol, your risk of death from other causes is worse… including cancer.
Decline in serum total cholesterol and the risk of death from cancer.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9229204
“The group with the highest decline in cholesterol displayed an excess risk for most cancer sites. These associations were more pronounced in subjects whose weight remained stable or decreased over time than in those who gained weight.”
Plasma lipids and mortality: a source of error.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6102243
“Cancer mortality was 66% higher in the group with the lowest plasma cholesterol than in the group with the highest plasma cholesterol.”
So, before you try to get your cholesterol down even further, here’s what you need to know.
Why Borderline High Cholesterol Is Healthy
The truth is that your borderline “high cholesterol” might be healthier than you think.
The current recommendations for cholesterol state the following…
- 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L ) or lower = “Desirable Cholesterol”.
- 200 mg/dL to 239 mg/dL (5.2-6.2 mmol/L) = “Borderline High”.
- 240 mg/dL (6.2 mmol/L) or above = “High”
But what does the research say?
It’s important that we look beyond just heart disease and look at all-cause mortality.
Otherwise, as shown above, you might just be trading heart disease for cancer.
And we both know that doesn’t solve any problems.
Based on all-cause mortality studies, optimal cholesterol with lowest all-cause mortality is actually 200 mg/dL to 240 mg/dL (5.2-6.2 mmol/L).
In other words… people who are healthiest and live the longest are the ones who are considered to have “Borderline High” cholesterol.
This is very important to take into consideration before blindly accepting cholesterol lowering drugs from your doctor, “just to be on the safe side”… or before you try that cholesterol lowering diet that’s supposed to be so healthy for you.
Is trying to force your cholesterol lower the best thing for you?
Are you just trading heart disease for cancer or some other unnecessary cause of early death?
Or should you start by fixing the real underlying cause of the problem and focus on your thyroid health?
If you have high cholesterol due to a thyroid hormone deficiency, or low cholesterol due to liver dysfunction, the right diet can make all the difference.
It’s the little and oftentimes overlooked things that prevent us from seeing the results we want and deserve with our health… which is why we cover thyroid health in so much detail, like you’ll see in the 3 Food Triple-Thyroid-Boosting Daily Protocol.
You can get all the details about this triple-thyroid-boosting protocol right here.
So tell me… What’s your cholesterol? Is it “Borderline High”?
Or maybe it is too low? Leave a comment below and let me know.
I have seen several endocrinologists to treat my Hashimotos over the years. Each time I suggested my high cholesterol and high diastolic pressure were related to my thyroid they would smile and shake their heads. Apparently I was an idiot…according to the doctors ! Searching for a new doctor at this time. Fingers crossed I find someone who knows how to effectively treat Hashimotos.
Hi, I just found out about Forefront and ordered the Meal Plan and Exercise modules. Here is my question. Should a Hashimoto’s patient with 239 cholesterol but good HDL and low triglycerides take a proprietary Cholesterol Lowering supplement that purports to support the liver as well? And only 1 or 2 pills versus 4-6 recommended and not every day either. The traditional minded endocrinologist is freaking out here but doesn’t insist on statin Rx, and does say he read that Mayo Clinic said that red yeast rice supplement is as good as prescription meds. I personally detest taking AnyThing but this seems to make me feel better while I am getting up to speed on your method.
One other quick question (food related) what about lettuces arugula garlic onion?
Thanks and I am feeling hope about my health for the first time in years!
Hi Janice, the problem is that there really is no such thing as “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol”. I’m not sure what proprietary supplement you’re referring to but if it doesn’t work by increasing T3 or vitamin A then it it’s most likely a waste of money. If it works to suppress cholesterol production from the liver then that would be very bad.
I was put on statins a month ago.
I just stop taking them as my whole body was in pain.Plus cramp in my bones, unbeatable.
So I’m greatful I just read your artical.
Hi Tom!
I have high cholesterol ( 7.2) and started taking Crestor 5mg 1-1/2 months ago. My good cholesterol and triglycerides are good.
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in 2009 and I take Synthroid .075 mg. My TSH is 5.4 and my Dr said it’s good and won’t change my dosage, even though I continue to have thyroid symptoms. Last year for the first time, I have low blood pressure and I’ve always had perfect blood pressure. I asked why that would change and my Dr didn’t know but said I’ll live forever!
I’d appreciate your opinion
It’s frustrating! There are days when I just don’t know which way to turn or what to do with myself.
It’s like being on a run away roller-coaster and I can’t get off!
The insomnia is awful, I’m exhausted! A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with dry eyes and last fall it flared. I went to my optometrist twice, my family Dr and in my opinion was misdiagnosed and spent a lot of money. Then I was saw an Opthamologist in January 2016, and he thinks I have Sjogrens. I went for blood work and haven’t heard anything since.
Hi Shari, elevated cholesterol is just another symptom of hypothyroidism. TSH of 5.4 is still quite high and that alone can cause significant inflammation. As for the insomnia, here are some things that can help: https://www.forefronthealth.com/hypothyroidism-and-insomnia and if you want to learn more about what your TSH should be then this will help too: https://www.forefronthealth.com/is-the-tsh-test-accurate-for-thyroid/
I have familial hypercholesterolemia as well as hypothyroidism. I’ve been on statins for almost 20 years (I’m 46). I’ve read that people with familial hypercholesterolemia are the only ones for whom the benefits of taking statins outweigh the risks. What are your thoughts on this?
Hi Vanessa, I think that’s what they say to justify millions of people to continue to use a drug that’s relatively ineffective. There are so many people on statin drugs that it would cripple the pharmaceutical industry if everyone stopped using it. But as mentioned, even if it provide a slight reduction in deaths from heart disease for a small minority, are you just trading heart disease for cancer?
Thanks Tom! I realize that a TSH value below 2 would be optimal but my Dr doesn’t get that.
I’d like to just stop taking Synthroid but am hesitant
Thanks so much for the response and you know I’ve been thinking about that CholesLo effect. It lowered my cholesterol from I think 254 (I have the lab tests from before and after) to 199 in one month just in time for a new job wellness check. At that occasion for the blood tests I had not fasted that morning, yet in the sugar test the nurse was surprised I had eaten and said Well you’re certainly not diabetic your blood sugar is extremely low. Which it was since I felt like I was about to faint and fall out and was thinking about going off to lunch immediately.
I gave up taking that supplement for a long time (after rather artificially acing that wellness check ) and had been afraid of it anyhow after it had dramatically lowered my cholesterol so fast and completely overwhelmed me with hypoglycemia that whole time.
Certainly it hasn’t helped with T4 to T3 conversion and my RT3 is going up.
Those proprietary mixes are problematic anyhow due to always having something that I know messes me up when taken alone.
I’ve tried everything in the health food store, to no avail since 1975. Tryptophan has finally been the last straw and it was good because somehow in Internet searching around that debacle I discovered your website somehow.
Thanks for all!
Thank you Tom ! My labs just did cholesterol 200 but LDL is high 126 is that of concern? Dealing with Hashimoto.
and TSH still 9.5 has been for years..Had heart palps and bad when was on Synthroid; using elemental magnesium, liquid; no more heart palps.
Thanks much ~
Hi Romy, as mentioned in the article good vs. bad cholesterol doesn’t really matter. We only look at total cholesterol.
I have been cruising along with a cholesterol of 241 for years. It just recently dropped to 214. But I am also a believer that slightly high is better. I understand that they drew blood from the soldiers in WWII, which was stored for decades. Cholesterol of these samples was measured, and he average at that time was 240. So me thinks the medical community is mistaken.
Hi Tom, What is the direct link between post menopause (lack of all the sex hormones), cholesterol and thyroid imbalance? My cholesterol is 243 – LDL is 158 – HDL is 59 – and Triglycerides are 131 with a TSH at 3.14 (down from 7.02 without medication). Seems like everything is going haywire at the same time! I’ve been battling this for a year now and finally started bio identical hormone replacement about a month ago. Have you seen BIHR bring other factors back in line in a healthy, optimal range?
Hi Shawn, as mentioned in the article, thyroid hormone (T3) and vitamin A are required to convert cholesterol into sex hormones. So, being hypothyroid and lacking T3 (or Vitamin A) will cause a decline in sex hormone production. This in itself perpetuates hypothyroidism. But being post-menopausal the biggest issue stems from the lack of progesterone production, making estrogen much more dominant, which further suppresses and blocks the thyroid gland. Most women are unfortunately put on estrogen therapy which only worsens the problem. And keep in mind that estrogen can’t be accurately measured in the blood which is why many women appear low when in fact they have lots of estrogen stored in the tissue.
My cholesterol is 315. Too much? Is it safe or yet need to be lowered ?
And in which way? My doc. is horrified & push me to statins, which I refused.
Is plant sterols’re god? They not block liver production of chol. but reduce the absorption it from food.
My TSH is 4,7.
Hi Nad, the ideal range is between 200 to 240. Plant sterols still work by artificially trying to lower cholesterol.
I have Hashimoto’s and low cholesterol at 142 (naturally). I also have low liver enzymes. What can I do to raise my cholesterol & help my liver to function?
Hi Stephanie, getting adequate carbohydrates and protein, and vitamin A all help.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and Graves’ disease with a TSH of .01. Urged to have radiation iodine and start Synthroid. TSH went to 46. After readjusting of Synthroid, cholesterol has gone up and down from 229 to 155 to 210. Endochronologist said all women with thyroid disease and family history of heart problems (my Dad) should take med for cholesterol. I am so tired, sleepy, and ache especially in my back. Would appreciate your opinion.
ThanksTom! You got me even more concerned than I was before. My cholesterol is low. It was maybe up to 180 at the highest before I started treatment for Hashimoto’s/hypothyroidism. Now it is only 146 and my functional dr. is concerned. As am I. I have very low TSH being on NDT and have almost optimal fT3, fT4 and rT3. I heard an opiniion that I should lower my meds because my low cholesterol and osteopenia are caused by to low TSH+m I’m overmedicated. I’ve been looking for research supporting that claim and there is some – but my free hormones levels point to not being over-treated/hyper. Is there any way to safely increase cholesterol? Is Lyme affecting the levels/liver function? – my Alt was slightly elevated recently). Thank you. Concerned Elizabeth.
Hi Elizabeth, getting adequate carbohydrates and protein, and vitamin A all help improve liver health and cholesterol production. Low TSH doesn’t cause osteopenia or osteoporosis. T3 helps to reverse that. Over-medicating with T4, further suppressing thyroid function can contribute though. But the problem is that the T4 isn’t correctly the problem and only making it worse.
My cholesterol is 4.6 Do you think that is too low? Last year I was tested for hyperthyroidism and apparently I was “borderline ” After ordering your book and cutting out vegetable oil and cooking only with coconut oil and changing to raw milk. I had my thyroid tested again and it had gone back to normal according to the lab blood tests. What do you think my cholesterol is saying ? ??
Hi Mrs. Mazzanti, I don’t think that’s too low. And for those who are taking a supplement/medication containing T3 that can cause it to drop as well.
Was diagnosed with Hypothyroid in 1998…have only been treated with Synthroid….started at 50 mag and now up to 112 mcg….I still feel like I am hypothyroid…low energy…unable to lose weight…brittle nails and thinning hair…cold hands and feet….mood swings…etc….just had my yearly physical..labs were..total cholesterol. . 220..HDL 54…LDL..114..TRIGLYCERIDES. .259…T3..1.5 which she said is normal…T4..1.78….TSH…1.14….FOLIC ACID > 20…B 12… 937…VITAMIN D3 …51 and FASTING BLOOD SUGAR ..128…which she said is diabetic…..I am a Registered Nurse. …and very frustrated…..I can’t find a Dr. that understands thyroid function …it took me FOREVER to convince her to run a T3 and she says 1.5 is normal but from what I have read, normal should be in the upper quadrant of normal values which is 2.0 – 4.4 or around 3.8…..which from what I have read….my cells are not absorbing the thyroid hormone which is being produced….am I correct…..am I feeling crappy because I am still hypothyroid and would dessicated Thyroid help and how is dosage determined?????
I was diagnosed with Hoshimotos a few years back, but my cholesterol has always been naturally low. I’ve had tests down to 128. I haven’t had one in 2 years. How do you bring up naturally low cholesterol?
Hi Teri, getting adequate carbohydrates and protein, and vitamin A all help.
Interesting topic!
I have Hashimoto’s, and my hormone levels were just dipping below when I started NDT.
Before starting NDT my Cholesterol was low and remains low now – we’re talking a total of around 120.
It stayed low when I was mostly plant based…it stayed low when I added more eggs and cheese!! But a digestive test showed up that I’m not absorbing fats too well. Despite that, my DHEA and Testosterone were at a pretty good level.
Thanks!
I was recently told that I needed to go on meds to reduce my cholesterol which was Total – 255: HDL – 90 and LDL – 149 and Triglycerides 82. The TSH – 0.51 and T4, Free 1.6. I currently take 1 – .112 mcg of Levothyroxine each day.
I have joined the Revolution and am wondering if the meal plan will balance out my cholesterol and thyroid hormone or do I need to eat any other foods with it that would bring the cholesterol to where it needs to be, whatever that is.
Thanks for your help.
Jackie Moore
Hi Jackie, as mentioned in the article, Cholesterol rises in direct relation to low thyroid function. Anything, including meds, that artificially lowers cholesterol will negatively impact your thyroid health. Improving thyroid function, supplementing thyroid hormone (T3) will help regulate your cholesterol by improving its conversion to pregnenolone.
Help! I am a 56yo female who has always had ‘good’ cholesterol numbers. Total below 200, more “good” than “bad”, etc. In 2015, I was diagnosed hypothyroid, and started treatment with Naturethroid. I just got my most recent labs, and my cholesterol has plummeted to 135. Yikes! I eat “healthy”, have for over 20 years. Have healthy body weight, exercise regularly. My MD wants to reduce meds due to the cholesterol number. But, the Ft3, Ft4, Rt3 are finally all within the range. AND, I still feel “lethargic.” How do I raise my cholesterol without lowering the dosage? Thanks in advance! (HA! I bet not many ppl ask how to raise cholesterol!?!?)
Hi Terry, thyroid hormone (T3) is necessary to convert cholesterol into the precursor hormone pregnenolone. In hypothyroidism, when T3 becomes deficient cholesterol typically rises because it’s not longer being converted. This is why supplementing T3 typically lowers cholesterol quickly. Since you’re using Naturethroid and it contains T3, you should expect to see a drop in cholesterol, but not typically that much. Without adequate cholesterol, thyroid hormone isn’t as effective. Oftentimes it’s a liver issue that we need to focus on so the liver can produce adequate cholesterol. But I always screen clients for low cholesterol, otherwise they don’t typically respond to thyroid hormone.
Hi Tom
My mother and sister had hypothyroidism and I was diagnosed twelve years ago. I take 125mcg T4 but still don’t feel great and cholesterol is 7.2 also familial heart disease. Just wondering if I would benefit from also taking T3 but not sure if GP will prescribe.
This is very interesting! My LDL is 61 right now (total cholesterol 139), and it has been as low as 35 (total cholesterol 114). I wasn’t vegan or vegetarian, but I ate more eggs and ghee to get the number up and felt better.
I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism, but I can’t find any info on these conditions and LOW LDL. Is my LDL too low (at 61, I know it was at 35) and if so, could it be related to the Hashimoto’s and/or hypothyroidism
Very interesting. I am hypo and have hereditary high cholesterol. Blood test in Sept was 250: I stopped taking the lowest dose statin 5 days before test, due to aching legs. I feel great since I stopped the statin😁. Now to fight with my doctor over the statin😪. He wants me to take half every other day, I always feel awful when I take even a half.
Thank you for the info, it explains to me why I can be taking statins and still have rising cholesterol. I’ve always said my body needs the cholesterol that it produces naturally.
The important thing is that your body is able to use the cholesterol as discussed in the article. Adequate thyroid hormone (T3) is essential for that.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 30 yrs ago. My job ( over last 3 yrs) required annual cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure testing and my results were always applauded with BP 110/62 ish and cholesterol consistently 130 !!! After learning about this from a previous blog post you had written, I have increased my cholesterol tfrom 130 to 170-198!! This information may have saved me from cancer or/and heart disease. Thank you!
Hi Tom,
I’m hypo and have dangerously low cholesterol. Dr’s don’t understand why. Very low in dhea but other hormones are ok (little low on progesterone)
Never taken anything to lower cholesterol. Except One Dr put me on high t3 only meds for Wayne too long. Reading above that can suppress cholesterol? I’m off any thyroid meds now. Following you’re diet but can’t get my cholesterol up. Read it can be genetic as wel? Curious to hear your thoughts.
If one’s cholesterol is lower because they are using thyroid hormone then that is not a concern because their body is using the cholesterol appropriately. The problem with lowering it through drugs/diet is that you’re not actually using the cholesterol to support hormone production. However, if cholesterol in general is low without thyroid meds or cholesterol lowering drugs, then that can be a sign of liver dysfunction since the liver is what produces cholesterol. This can be due to excess liver stress, inadequate nutritional requirements, etc. That’s where we look first. Since you’re using our diet, send an email into support and we can discuss this further.
My. Cholesterol. Is a total of. 237. Amd. LDL. Was 187. Of it
I was on my bus heading into the office this morning and started reading this blog. Noticed my name up in comments from 2016 so just wanted to update to say ‘still improving and going strong with the Tom B. Forefront Health Plan here’! Husband and I love all the supplements offered on this site, and be sure to check out the new coffee; it’s the real thing! Very invigorating AND delicious. Lifelong hypothyroidism is yielding at last and as a journey not a destination, much is being discovered, uncovered and recovered (especially health, metabolism, and youthful energy). Amazing the co-workers that I’m almost 63.25 as of this Halloween coming up and been working on all this since February 2016 (so expect thyroid repairs to take some time) but well worth it in the long run! Good luck to all and take care; thanks much, T.B.! -jw & jb
What level should T3 be at?
We cover the interpretation of thyroid labs and explain what levels should be at in this training: https://www.forefronthealth.com/lp/ultimate-thyroid-testing-protocol/
Total cholesterol is 213. LDL-114 HDL-83 Tri-70 glucose=97 Guess I’m good. I ws worried because of everything I’ve heard over the years about high LDL, but none of my doctors are worried so I just went with that. Good to read your article. Just reinforced a peace of mind. Thanks!
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 15 years ago and tried Armours and then T4, with disastrous repercussions. I don’t do well with pharmaceutical drugs. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos 10 years ago. At that time, my cholesterol was in the mid to high 200’s and still is. After looking back on my history I can say that I have probably had this problem since my late teens. I am 71 now. My health needs, have been attended to by a Homeopathic DO for the past 10 years, but I also have had a series of Medicare primaries the past 6 years that I mostly only use for referrals. I had a telephone conference (due to this COVID thing) with my Medicare Primary in recent weeks and 3 times she brought up wanting me to try a statin because my total cholesterol count was 289. I refused each time reminding her that it was due to the Hashimotos. She was not pleased with my decision, but then she is not the last word on anything; I am, which is not a place most doctors like to be relegated to. I have an appointment with my Homeopath in a few days to go over my latest blood work and tweaking anything in diet or supplements that need to be adjusted. I will be gifting her and the receptionist with homemade Kombucha.