relationship between low thyroid and raised cholesterol ?

[wadebridger]

I have seen references to the fact that there may be a relationship between low thyroid (hypothyroidism) and raised cholesterol levels. I'm interested in researching this in depth - does anyone have any relevant information, particularly references to published studies and research. Thanks.

[maisie_dazy]

Hi there..I am taking Thyroxine for hypothyrodism. Was diagnosed years ago with with overactive thyroid and had radioactive iodine treatment....after a few months I had gone underactive and thyroxine was introduced. Before that time I had no problem with cholestrol levels but since being on thyroid medication my cholestrol has slowly risen higher and higher.

My G.P.s usually only check thyroid levels once a year, I have on numerous occasions asked for a blood test as I know all the signs and symptoms of being undermedicated.

Twice it was actually the lipid clinic who picked up on the fact that I wasn't being prescribed enough thyroxine medication and they upped the dose. However my G.P. thought my levels with ok.

My consultant thinks I have FH (having genes testing soon for this) but like I said I had no problems with cholesterol until I was diagnosed with thyroid disease and I definately believe that thyroid function has an impact on cholesterol levels.

Can't help with any studies but just wanted to let you know my personal experience.

Maisie

[wadebridger in reply to maisie_dazy]

Many thanks for taking the trouble to respond to my query. The information you provided is really interesting and useful. Thanks again.

[wadebridger]

Thankyou for letting me know about this article. My hunch is (unfounded at present) is that even though thyroxin levels may have been corrected through prescrbing thyroxin, the body still continues to produce excess total cholesterol. I wish i had the expertise and knowledge to really follow this through !. I shall read the article with interest. Again, thank you for your response to my question.

[cats999]

An area that might be worth looking at is whether or not the hypothyroidism is caused by anti-bodies. If anti-bodies are present, there may well be some inflammation where they are attacking the thyroid, this will raise cholesterol (LDL) in an attempt to mend the damage. I don't know of any research into this, I speak from experience.

[hairyfairy]

I was diagnosed with a slightly underactive thyroid some years ago, & as I didn`t have any obvious symptoms, my gp said that I would be monitered to see how I got on. Recently my cholesterol levels have been higher than they should be, & diet didn`t seem to lower them, so my doctor put me on a low dose of Levothyroxine. Iv`e only been on it for a month, so it will bee some time before I know if this controls my cholesterol levels, as my gp hopes.

[Hidden]

This is interesting as my vit D, vit B12 levels are depressed. I have an underactive thyroid and had a heart attack last year. I don't want to take statins (the manufacturer also recommends not taking it if you are hypothyroid), thus finding out if getting my thyroid to function properly id very important to me.

It seems all agree that there IS a relationship between the two but nobody seems to know how important the link is. V. frustrating. Elsewhere I've read that getting hormone level correct reduces cholesterol significantly, but when you have a doctor and a heart consultant who disagree, what am I meant t do?