In the US, 25 million people suffer from hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, only half of these individuals know they have it. If you have an underactive thyroid, your abnormal TSH may be affecting your cholesterol levels.
History
Hypothyroidism is a chronic disease that stikes millions of people. You may have vague symptoms of not feeling well, including fatigue, appetite changes, constipation and weight gain. It is easy to blame these symptoms on stress, your diet and inadequate sleep. Unfortunately, untreated thyroid disease can lead to other problems including obesity, joint pain, heart disease and infertility.
Considerations
If you believe you might have thyroid disease, a visit to your health care provider is necessary. Several reliable lab tests can be done to determine if your thyroid is functioning properly. A blood test measuring thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, is an important assay. It reveals how your thyroid is functioning. TSH is produced by your pituitary glad and stimulates your thyroid to make more thyroid hormones. Blood TSH levels are elevated in those with an underactive thyroid.
Expert Insight
In a research article published in the medical journal "Thyroid" titled "Cardiovascular and Atherogenic Aspects of Subclinical Hypothyroidism," researchers found that individuals with low thyroid function and higher levels of TSH, had higher low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol levels. They also found these same individuals to have lower levels of the good cholesterol known as high-density lipoprotein, or HDL.
Effects
If your thyroid is underactive, there is a chance of complications including heart disease. Higher levels of the bad cholesterol LDL can result in coronary artery disease or CAD. This is less likely to occur if you are being treated for hypothyroidism.
Significance
If you are among the millions of people with undiagnosed hypothyroidism, it is likely that your cholesterol levels are being affected. If your TSH is elevated, your health care provider will be able to determine this with a simple blood test. According to an article published in "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" titled "TSH-Controlled L-Thyroxine Therapy Reduces Cholesterol Levels and Clinical Symptoms in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (Basel Thyroid Study)," there is good news. Once you are treated appropriately and your thyroid functions normally again, your LDL cholesterol levels will improve.
References
- "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism": TSH-Controlled L-Thyroxine Therapy Reduces Cholesterol Levels and Clinical Symptoms in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (Basel Thyroid Study)
- "Thyroid": Cardiovascular and Atherogenic Aspects of Subclinical Hypothyroidism
- MayoClinic.com: Hypothryoidism (Underactive Thyroid)
- American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists: Hypothyroidism
