Hypothyroid causes elevated bilirubin ... - British Liver Trust

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Hypothyroid causes elevated bilirubin levels

Sheila4300 profile image
11 Replies

Not a question, more of a discovery others w liver issues should be aware of. Hypothyroid affects the levels of bilirubin in your liver. In case you have elevated bilirubin, check your T3 levels.

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Sheila4300 profile image
Sheila4300
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11 Replies
bantam12 profile image
bantam12

I've had thyroid disease for over 50 years, both hyper and hypo, I know it can effect liver enzymes but not heard specifically bilirubin. My LFTs have been well out of range for over 10 years but not bilirubin. Do you have any links to share on this info.

AdeleMalcolm profile image
AdeleMalcolm

Hi Sheila4300. That really is news for me. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism around 8 years ago an with PBC just 2 years ago. My bilirubin levels were very slightly elevated about 11 years ago (I keep records of all my blood tests on a spreadsheet..... sad I know!), but have been within the normal range for 8 years. I hadn't realised that it could also affect other liver enzymes (per bantam12's response). It's really an education on this website! Thanks for the info. Stay well.

mncold profile image
mncold in reply to AdeleMalcolm

I think keeping a record of your test results is a good idea, we keep copies of my husband's test results in a folder. Being able to look at past results may not always be beneficial, but we figure it is like doing his blood pressure with a wrist unit - it may not give an accurate picture but if things go out of whack you know it and can call the doctor. Mary

in reply to mncold

Agree Mary.

redeyes2 profile image
redeyes2 in reply to AdeleMalcolm

Adele,

That is a great idea... do you do it through excel or soe other spread sheet? thanks red

AdeleMalcolm profile image
AdeleMalcolm in reply to redeyes2

Hi redeyes2. Yes a simple spreadsheet. I used to get annual health checks via work so had those going back to 2007. I've also added all my other medical tests e.g. mamogram, DEXA, and even eye tests etc so it's all in one place. It was useful for my liver specialists in KCH particularly as they don't get details of tests my GP runs. I've tried to put notes against each particular result (with the normal ranges) identifying what the test is supposed to highlight, but that's a bit patchy and doesn't give the interactions so very simplistic. Still useful though. Really handy to have the normal ranges for reference. Hope that helps. All the best. Adele.

mncold profile image
mncold

Thank you for the info Sheila. Mary

redeyes2 profile image
redeyes2

Hi Sheila,

That is interesting and surprising too. I have hyper-thyroid (the opposite of hypothyroid) and also have higher than normal bilirubin, for several years. I had never made that connection.

I did however suspect that many people that have been treated with heavy doses of chemotherapy (like myself) have been dx w thyroid issues, (some high, some low) after cancer is in remission or gone. I'm not in medical bz so cannot say for sure. However, I am in a cancer survivor support group and it seems that many of us have been dx w thyroid issues afterwards. Could it be a co-incidence, maybe so. It certainly is an area where more research could be done. They also could research the thyroid and bilirubin connection, I will check my medical research account to see if any other mentions regarding bilirubin and thyroid.

Thank you for sharing.

red

1155Cat profile image
1155Cat in reply to redeyes2

I am also hypo Thyroid for 50 years and I have been on medicine for it. I have never been told my bilirubin was high, it the bilirubin something they check regularly when you are hypo Thyroid ?? Should I ask gastro Dr to have it checked ??

greend profile image
greend

Hi Sheila 4300. I am hypothyroid and have elevated bilirubin. Can you please share the source of your statement that hypothyroid affects bilirubin levels. I would be very interested in this information.

Manjushri profile image
Manjushri

Rather late but I am interested in Bilirubin in hypothyroid I have only found this article that says bilirubin is raised in hyperthyroid

academia.edu/34816754/Serum...

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