Zocor and thyroid

I am currently 58 years old and lead a very active, healthy lifestyle. I began taking 10mg of Zocor, along with 1000mg of niacin in the summer of 2004 to reduce cholesterol (251) and triglycerides (571). The therapy dramatically improved my blood tests, however, within 6 weeks, I began to experience minor chronic skin infections, both fungal and bacterial. They were easily controlled with topical over the counter type medications, but they were annoying. At no time was this new condition linked to the statin/niacin therapy by my doctor(s). The infections became progressively worse over the next 3 years, and evolved into chronic folliculitis in my scalp, neck, and face, cystic acne, and persistent fungal infections that were becoming more difficult to control. In addition, I began to get chronic eye infections. It was as if my immune system was becoming ineffective. I stopped taking niacin in December of 2007 and the symptoms immediately lessened. I stopped taking Zocor in March of 2008 and within 2 weeks, all the skin problems and eye infections completely ended. My health was restored completely and I am glad to have put that whole mess behind me! I have been taking Omega 3 supplements to control my cholesterol and triglycerides and have had results that equaled the Zocor and Niacin therapy, with cholesterol at 160, triglycerides at 91, and a favorable HDL/LDL ratio. My physician is skeptical, but I know that my body was not functioning correctly with the statin/niacin treatment. I have found anecdotal reports from others who seem to have experienced a change in their immune system, but no mention of this as a side effect by the medical establishment.

Like many posts describing side effects, I was not sure that all the new little health-related issues I've been noticing were connected to taking Zocor. I'm thinking that perhaps my issues are related to the drug, especially since the only other drug I take is Levothyroxine (for hypo-active thyroid). I have been on the generic for two months. (I'm a 39 year old female.)

In the first month, my total cholesterol score was 278. After taking it for one month with no change in diet or physical activity, it reduced to 207. So, the drug does work! Now I need to determine if the cost is worth it.

In the past week, I've noticed several of the side effects listed in some of the posts: sharp pain in knee (feels like there is a paring knife in it!); lower back pain; joints creaking and popping; skin on tips, sides, and underneath of fingers kind of blistering-hardening and peeling off; brain fog in the morning; difficulty maintaining a deep sleep; crazy dreams; general increase in skin blemishes; heartburn; loose bowel movements; and increased sinus congestion.

High cholersterol runs in my family and my has been high for years, it just lept up to 415. I was on 40mg of zocor daily and my ears started ringing and I felt that I was having constant panic attacks because my heart rate went up to 160 and was short of breath. My doc told me it was because of my thyroid was elevated. I stop my zocor for a week and then started again. After 10days the ringing of ears, shortness of breath, chest pain, tachycardia and a new one depression started all over again. I have an appointment with my doc I know that she will think that I am crazy, but I will not take this drug again.

I read that zocor can affect lab values in thryoid function test. I am not sure if it is the zocor but ever since I have been on zocor sinc this past november my TSH levels have gone as low as 0.02 and are now as high as 31.4
The doctor assured me it isn't the zocor just my thyroid acting up. We have decreased my dosage of synthoid. I have an appointment with him in a couple of days and I will bring this up. I was wondering does Lipitor have the same side affect on Thyroid functions as I read zocor does and how does it affect the thryoid? I feel fine other than slight constipation