The nurse just called with my lab results at almost the six week mark of taking a higher dose of levoxyl. Here are my results: T3 34.2, T4 8.9, TSH 1.44. My blood pressure was 118/80. My pulse was 59. And for the first time ever, my cholesterol was high. My cholesterol was 228, with high density cholesterol at 76 and low density cholesterol at 143. This represents a more than 30 point gain since I became hypothyroid and put on forty pounds over the course of being incorrectly treated. I was not surprised to get the results back, because when I saw Dr. Friedman and reported to him that I did not think I had a cholesterol issue, he seemed surprised. He noted that it is very, very common for hypothyroidism to produce cholesterol issues. Last August my total cholesterol was 195. I am making lifestyle adjustments for the cholesterol hike and look forward to getting Dr. Friedman's feedback on the new blood results. Over the course of the past six weeks to two months, I have had enough energy to take an hour long walk per day. Especially since I have been in Dr. Friedman's care, the walk is more and more enjoyable because my energy is really improving. I am now at the point where I can add thirty minutes or so of a cardio activity at least several times per week with light hand weights, something like step aerobics. I have pretty much already cut out red meat, butter, and other products that aren't great for the heart. I will take more care to eat chicken without the skin. I went out and bought myself some tuna to marinate and grill after I got the lab results. I needed to go shopping for groceries, and realize that I must educate myself about eating with the goal of lowering my cholesterol in mind. I know a lot of the obvious points, but need to know more. In any case, I would not have made the choice to buy fresh tuna before. I would have had a healthy choice, but probably not--"Got to watch my cholesterol, let's grill some fish." I have to really start shopping cholesterol-smart! I don't know if I can eat all of the vegetables that Dr. Friedman recommends on the diet posted on his site, but I can certainly eat more fruit and vegetables. What supplements should I consider to help with the cholesterol? A tablespoon or two of a high grade olive oil? More fish oil? (I take 1000-2000 mg. per day.) What have readers working with their cholesterol found in the way of important lifestyle changes to make? I am looking forward to taking off what I call my thyroid weight, and getting the news about the cholesterol is certainly an impetus to do that.
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The nurse just called with my lab results at almost the six week mark of taking a higher dose of levoxyl. Here are my results: T3 34.2, T4 8.9, TSH 1.44. My blood pressure was 118/80. My pulse was 59. And for the first time ever, my cholesterol was high. My cholesterol was 228, with high density cholesterol at 76 and low density cholesterol at 143. This represents a more than 30 point gain since I became hypothyroid and put on forty pounds over the course of being incorrectly treated. I was not surprised to get the results back, because when I saw Dr. Friedman and reported to him that I did not think I had a cholesterol issue, he seemed surprised. He noted that it is very, very common for hypothyroidism to produce cholesterol issues. Last August my total cholesterol was 195. I am making lifestyle adjustments for the cholesterol hike and look forward to getting Dr. Friedman's feedback on the new blood results. Over the course of the past six weeks to two months, I have had enough energy to take an hour long walk per day. Especially since I have been in Dr. Friedman's care, the walk is more and more enjoyable because my energy is really improving. I am now at the point where I can add thirty minutes or so of a cardio activity at least several times per week with light hand weights, something like step aerobics. I have pretty much already cut out red meat, butter, and other products that aren't great for the heart. I will take more care to eat chicken without the skin. I went out and bought myself some tuna to marinate and grill after I got the lab results. I needed to go shopping for groceries, and realize that I must educate myself about eating with the goal of lowering my cholesterol in mind. I know a lot of the obvious points, but need to know more. In any case, I would not have made the choice to buy fresh tuna before. I would have had a healthy choice, but probably not--"Got to watch my cholesterol, let's grill some fish." I have to really start shopping cholesterol-smart! I don't know if I can eat all of the vegetables that Dr. Friedman recommends on the diet posted on his site, but I can certainly eat more fruit and vegetables. What supplements should I consider to help with the cholesterol? A tablespoon or two of a high grade olive oil? More fish oil? (I take 1000-2000 mg. per day.) What have readers working with their cholesterol found in the way of important lifestyle changes to make? I am looking forward to taking off what I call my thyroid weight, and getting the news about the cholesterol is certainly an impetus to do that.
September 15, 2009 - 9:27amThis Comment
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