Recognizing And Treating Hypertension
Hypertension does not usually cause any symptoms unless there is a hypertensive crisis, which is rare. Given this, it’s unlikely you’ll notice any warning signs. Many, in fact, are surprised to learn of the diagnosis after their healthcare provider uses a blood pressure cuff during a physical examination as a matter of routine.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend that you monitor yourself at home, especially if you have other hypertension risk factors. You can purchase a blood pressure cuff for self-checks or visit a local pharmacy or community center, which may have one available for you to use.
If you are diagnosed with hypertension, there are effective prescription medications that can control your blood pressure.
Because thyroid disease, thyroid treatment, and thyroid replacement medications can all interfere with your blood pressure, you may need the dose of your blood pressure medication adjusted as your thyroid function changes during your cancer treatment and after your recovery.
Is There A Relationship Between Thyroid And Blood Pressure
Hypertension is caused by hypothyroidism in 3 percent of patients with high blood pressure. Hypercholesterolemia and an increase in fatty acids are also associated with low thyroid function, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thyroid hormone supplementation does not always lower blood pressure.
Low Blood Pressure Associated With Adrenal Fatigue
Low blood pressure is typically associated with poor adrenal function. The adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys, produce stress hormones and play an important role in regulating blood pressure. Many people today have fatigued adrenal glands thanks to chronic stress, poor diets, low blood sugar, chronic infections, digestive problems, inflammation, or other issues. Chronic stress from any or all of these factors may wear out the adrenal glands, causing adrenal fatigue. As a result, your body has a harder time maintaining health and balance through lifes ups and downs. Symptoms of adrenal fatigue may include constant tiredness, hypoglycemia , and low blood pressure.
Its not uncommon for people with Hashimotos hypothyroidism to also suffer from some form of adrenal imbalance, including adrenal fatigue.
Don’t Miss: Can High Blood Pressure Cause Nosebleeds
Increase In Peripheral Vascular Resistance
found that diastolic BP correlated significantly with thyroxine and 3,5,3-triiodothyronine in slightly hypothyroid females over 50 years of age.
triiodothyronine represents the metabolically active thyroid agent that possibly has a vasodilatory effect on the vascular muscle cells. Hypothyroidism and T3 deficiency are associated with peripheral vasoconstriction.Hypothyroidism has been associated with increased arterial stiffness.
On the other hand, the increased systolic and diastolic BP could induce changes in the arterial wall, reducing elasticity and increasing stiffness.
Adequate thyroid hormone replacement therapy successfully reduced BP, supporting the secondary cause of hypertension in patients with hypothyroidism.
The authors conclude that hypothyroidism causes aortic stiffness and hypertension . Thyroid hormone therapy decreases aortic stiffness, promoting decreased blood pressure in about 50 percent of these patients. Antihypertensive treatment further improves aortic elasticity and can decrease blood pressure among patients with hypertension and hypothyroidism whose blood pressure does not drop as thyroid function is normalized. Replacement of lacking thyroid hormones reduces high blood pressure and total cardiovascular risk.
References
Thyroid Cancer And Hypertension: Causes And Treatments
Hypertension is one of the common effects of thyroid cancer. If you have or have had thyroid cancer, there is a lasting risk of developing hypertension even after the cancer is fully treated.
The long-term effects of high blood pressure produce a number of health problems over time, including increased strokes, heart attacks, kidney disease, and dementia.
You May Like: Does Cranberry Juice Lower Blood Pressure
Thyroid Cancer And Hypertension
All thyroid cancers can increase or decrease the production of your thyroid hormones. Cancer can be associated with symptoms or the development of hyperthyroidism more than with hypothyroidism .
Hyperthyroidism results in increased metabolism and usually causes increased blood pressure. In contrast, hypothyroidism is usually associated with normal blood pressure, but it can cause low blood pressure or high blood pressure.
The reasons are complicated: Thyroid hormones act directly on blood vessels throughout the body to reduce contractility , which increases blood pressure. However, blood vessels can develop increased or decreased sensitivity to thyroid hormones, making the response to altered thyroid hormone levels somewhat variable.
Keep in mind, a majority of patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer have neither hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Often, a nodule, growth, or goiter can be the first sign of thyroid cancer. Other symptoms include weight changes, fatigue, or agitation. Rarely, however, it’s unexplained hypertension, that prompts a thyroid function evaluation and may lead to a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. This is especially true if high blood pressure begins at an unusually young age or is not easily managed with medication.
Can Hypothyroidism Cause Low Blood Pressure
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
Don’t Miss: What Number Is High Blood Pressure
What Foods Are Bad For Thyroid
The thyroid gland is a shield-shaped gland located in your neck. It secretes the hormones T3 and T4 that control the metabolism of every cell in the body. Foods that are bad for the thyroid gland include foods from the cabbage family, soy, fried foods, wheat, foods high in caffeine, sugar, fluoride and iodine.
Reduced Blood Volume & Cardiac Output
Hypothyroid conditions frequently result in an overall decreased about of blood volume and related decreased cardiac output . This decreased blood volume triggers the kidneys to raise blood pressure.
Reduced blood volume paired with the decrease in available T3 explains the prevalence of diastolic hypertension in hypothyroid patients: lower blood volume results in less blood to pump around, so while the vessels are not as flexible, there is not as much blood being pushed per pump of the heart.
Systolic blood pressure increases, but not as much in relation to diastolic pressure increases. The constant pressure from the blood volume on further restricted vessels is revealed by the diastolic pressure. Over time, without adequate treatment for the hypothyroid condition, both numbers will continue to elevate.
Blood pressure is independent of TSH levels: actual thyroid hormone levels are the indicator. The mechanism for systolic hypertension in hypothyroid disease isnt quite understood, yet.
Recommended Reading: Which Of The Following Hormones Will Lower Blood Pressure
Hypothyroidism And Low Blood Pressure Health Risks
Most people worry about high blood pressure, and with good reason as it portends numerous health risks. However, low blood pressure brings a different set of problems, such as reduced brain function and increased mortality risk. If the upper or lower number deviates by more than 10 from 120/80, it pays to be aware low blood pressure may be affecting your health.
If you have Hashimotos hypothyroidism but are not managing it with functional medicine, you may have additional problems with poor blood flow and oxygenation, which compound the problems of low blood pressure.
Blood pressure pushes blood through about 100,000 miles of veins, arteries, and capillaries in the body, carrying oxygen, nutrients, immune cells, hormones, neurotransmitters, and other vital compounds.
High blood pressure strains blood vessels. However, low blood pressure means not enough blood is getting to capillaries and tissues, particularly in your hands, feet, and brain. This deprives those tissues of sufficient oxygen and nutrients. You may have chronic nail fungal infections and cold hands and feet if so.
Hyperthyroidism And Your Heart
Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone or your dose of thyroid medicine is too high. The excess hormone “speeds up” virtually every system in your body. The symptoms often include nervousness, palpitations caused by a fast heart rate, feeling hot when others are comfortable, trouble sleeping, and weight loss despite being hungry all the time.
If left untreated, hyperthyroidism does more to your heart than simply making it beat faster. The excess thyroid hormone makes it work harder, too. This can lead to any of several problems:
Abnormal heart rhythms. Several heart rhythm disturbances can result from overstimulation of the thyroid. The most common are sinus tachycardia, an abnormally fast heart rate that tops 100 beats per minute, and atrial fibrillation, a disorganized rhythm in the heart’s upper chambers.
High blood pressure. In hyperthyroidism, blood vessels relax, lowering diastolic blood pressure . But an excess of thyroid hormone also increases the force of the heart’s contractions, leading to an increase in systolic pressure .
Chest pain. Whenever the heart beats more forcefully and pumps more blood, the heart muscle needs more oxygen. If a person with hyperthyroidism also has clogged coronary arteries, they may experience the chest pain known as angina, which occurs when narrowed coronary arteries can’t carry all the extra blood the heart muscle demands.
Read Also: What Is The Difference Between Hypertension And High Blood Pressure
Avoid Gluten In Your Diet
Gluten is a type of protein commonly found in barley, rye, or wheat. It triggers the cells in the gut to release zonulin, a protein that can damage the tight junctions responsible for holding the intestines.
If the junctions break, leaky gut occurs. Avoiding gluten in your diet for high blood pressure and thyroid can help keep your gut in good shape, preventing the interruption of hormonal activities in the body.
Upon doing groceries, check the labels for gluten.
Orthostatic Hypotension When You Stand Up
Orthostatic hypotension is a common type of low blood pressure that causes lightheadedness when you go from sitting to standing. This happens because the blood pools in the legs upon standing, slowing blood flow back to the heart and thus the brain. You will be diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension when the top number of your blood pressure falls by 20 and the bottom number by 10 upon standing.
Although orthostatic hypotension is a red flag you need to address your low blood pressure, it becomes more dangerous when it makes you faint or fall. Orthostatic hypotension is commonly found in those with low blood pressure and low blood sugar but people with high blood pressure can have it too.
Also Check: What Is The Average Blood Pressure Reading
Salt Is Beneficial If You Have Low Blood Pressure And Hashimotos Hypothyroidism
Natural salt has benefits that include trace minerals and being free of chemical additives found in conventional salt. If you have low blood pressure, eating plenty of salt is especially important to boost blood flow to your tissues and brain. A blood pressure of 120/80 is considered healthy and if the upper or lower number deviates by 10 your blood pressure is in an abnormal range.
Low blood pressure is associated with adrenal fatigue. The adrenal glands produce stress hormones and help regulate blood pressure. Many people today have fatigued adrenal glands thanks to chronic stress, poor diets, chronic inflammation, and more. Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include constant tiredness, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure. Adrenal fatigue and low blood pressure are common in many people with Hashimotos hypothyroidism. If you dont work to manage these conditions, it will be more difficult to manage your thyroid condition as well.
In addition to salt, certain nutritional compounds support adrenal function and thus healthy blood pressure. Ask my office for more information on how to support healthy blood pressure.
Too Little Or Too Much Of This Crucial Hormone Can Contribute To Heart Problems
Located at the base your throat, the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland releases hormones that affect every organ in your bodyespecially your heart. Thyroid hormone influences the force and speed of your heartbeat, your blood pressure, and your cholesterol level. As a result, a malfunctioning thyroid gland can cause problems that masquerade as heart disease or make existing heart disease worse.
An estimated 6% of people in the United States have thyroid disease. Most of themabout 80% have an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. When thyroid levels drop, all the systems in the body slow down, triggering a range of symptoms that include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, and dry skin. But these symptoms are very common in people as they grow older, including those with normal thyroid levels.
“More than half of people with normal thyroid function have symptoms of hypothyroidism,” says Dr. Jeffrey Garber, an endocrinologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and medical editor of the Harvard Special Health Report Thyroid Disease. In addition, some people over age 60 with low thyroid levels don’t have the classic symptoms. That’s why recognizing hypothyroidism can be particularly tricky, he adds. Certain factors make people more likely to have thyroid problems.
Read Also: Does Wine Raise Your Blood Pressure
Have Potassium And Sodium Balance
Both nutrients are electrolytes responsible for keeping fluid balance and a good blood volume in your body. But, you can get high blood pressure with too much sodium and not enough potassium, and this is the reason why you need to maintain the right amounts of these electrolytes.
Potassium can help ease blood vessel tension and reduce the effect of sodium in your body. You can get potassium from these foods:
- Low-fat dairy food products like yogurt and milk
Most People Worry About High Blood Pressure And With Good Reason As It Portends Numerous Health Risks However Low Blood Pressure Brings A Different Set Of Problems Such As Reduced Brain Function And Increased Mortality Risk If The Upper Or Lower Number Deviates By More Than 10 From 120/80 It Pays To Be Aware Low Blood Pressure May Be Affecting Your Health
If you have Hashimotos hypothyroidism but are not managing it with functional medicine, you may have additional problems with poor blood flow and oxygenation, which compound the problems of low blood pressure.
Blood pressure pushes blood through about 100,000 miles of veins, arteries, and capillaries in the body, carrying oxygen, nutrients, immune cells, hormones, neurotransmitters, and other vital compounds.
High blood pressure strains blood vessels. However, low blood pressure means not enough blood is getting to capillaries and tissues, particularly in your hands, feet, and brain. This deprives those tissues of sufficient oxygen and nutrients. You may have chronic nail fungal infections and cold hands and feet if so.
Read Also: What Happens If You Have Low Blood Pressure
About Dr Josh Redd Chiropractic Physician Utah Arizona New Mexico Functional Medicine
Dr. Joshua J. Redd, DC, MS, DABFM, DAAIM, author of The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimotos Low Thyroid Disease, is a chiropractic physician and the founder of RedRiver Health and Wellness Center with practices in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. He sees patients from around the world who suffer from challenging thyroid disorders, Hashimotos disease, and other autoimmune conditions. In addition to his chiropractic degree, Dr. Redd has a BS in Health and Wellness, a BS in Anatomy, and a MS in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. He speaks across the nation, teaching physicians about functional blood chemistry, low thyroid, Hashimotos, and autoimmunity. You can join his Facebook page here.
Thyroid Disease And Insulin
Thyroid disease can also interfere with the production of insulin. Insulin makes it possible for cells to use glucose for energy. This lowers blood sugar.
Because hyperthyroidism increases metabolism, insulin is eliminated from the body faster than usual. This can lead to high blood sugar and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes who need insulin shots may also find themselves needing higher doses.
On the flip side, hypothyroidism decreases metabolism. When this happens, insulin can linger, causing blood sugar to drop . For people on diabetes medications, the drop can sometimes be extreme, leading to dizziness, disorientation, and unconsciousness.
Read Also: Is Cream Of Wheat Good For High Blood Pressure
Feeling Faint When You Stand Up
A common type of low blood pressure is a orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure when you go from sitting to standing that causes lightheadedness. For the person with orthostatic hypotension, standing up causes blood to pool in the legs. This slows the flow of blood back to the heart and decreases the amount of blood pumped from the heart. Medical professionals diagnose orthostatic hypotension when the top number falls by 20 and the bottom number falls by 10 upon standing.
Although lightheadedness is not cause for alarm, if standing up causes you to faint you should seek medical attention. Orthostatic hypotension also increases the risk of falling for elderly people. Orthostatic hypotension is common among people with low blood pressure and hypoglycemia, although people with high blood pressure can also have orthostatic hypotension.
High Blood Pressure Statistics
The CDC also states that high blood pressure affects an estimated 75 million American adults, which is 29% of the American population. Thats one in every three American adults.
High blood pressure greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading causes of death in the United States. This is why it is so important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.
According to the American Heart Association, when high blood pressure is left untreated, it can cause the following:
- Heart disease or heart failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Peripheral artery disease
Angina Definition: Chest discomfort or pain from the condition where the heart muscles dont obtain the right oxygen-rich blood volume
As you can see, the dangers of prolonged and/or untreated high blood pressure can cause an array of health problems.
In addition, health conditions, such as overt hypothyroidism , can also cause high blood pressure. When this occurs, it is referred to as secondary hypertension.
How can thyroid conditions affect your blood pressure? We will explain more about high blood pressure and hypothyroidism in the following sections.
Recommended Reading: How To Deal With High Blood Pressure