This paper links TSH and lipid levels. it indicates that as TSH rises, so this expression of potential problems increases also. It obviously has implications for those above 4.2 in TSH, ie subclinical hypothyroids from 4-10.
Hormone and Metabolic Research 2021:vol53
DOI: 10.1055/a-1191-7953
Correlation Between Serum TSH Levels Within Normal Range and Serum Lipid Profile
Liu Luxia, Liu Jingfang, Fu Songbo, Tang Xulei, Ma Lihua, Sun Weiming, Niu Ying, Jing Gaojing, Niu Qianglong, Li Yujuan, Wu Dan, Yang Fang, Guo Huiping, Song Pei
Abstract
The aim of the work was to investigate the correlation between serum TSH (thyrotropin) levels within normal range and serum lipids. A total of 1962 subjects with normal thyroid function were enrolled. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of serum normal TSH levels, [Q1 (0.27–1.68) mIU/l, Q2 (1.69–2.35) mIU/l, Q3 (2.36–3.07) mIU/l, and Q4 (3.08–4.20) mIU/l]. The effect of serum normal TSH levels on serum lipid profiles of different age or gender was analyzed. The total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of the Q3 group and TG levels of the Q4 group were higher than those of the Q1 group in youth (p <0.05). The TC levels of the Q3 group were higher than those of the Q2 group in middle age (p <0.05). The LDL-C levels of middle age or elderly were higher than those of youth at the same TSH levels (p <0.05), while the TC levels of middle age were higher than those of youth in Q1, Q3, or Q4 group (p <0.05), and the TC and HDL-C levels of elderly were higher than those of youth in the Q2 group (p <0.05). The TG levels of the Q3 group were higher than those of Q1 group in males (p <0.05). The LDL-C levels of the Q3 group were higher than those of the Q1 group in females (p <0.05). In conclusion, the normal serum TSH levels were found to be closely related to serum lipid profiles, and with increasing TSH levels, serum lipids levels increased gradually.
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I thought this information about untreated / poorly treated hypothyroidism and high cholesterol levels was well-known and had been for decades. I read somewhere that high cholesterol levels used to be considered "diagnostic" of hypothyroidism, perhaps going back to the 1940s or 1950s or even earlier?
So it seems that this information has been lost amongst younger researchers and is now being rediscovered.
I found a paper on this subject from 2012 which isn't identical but appears to cover much the same ground.
humanbean, I often think too many research topics are a result of "reinventing the wheel". So often I read things, hear "experts" speak and think "but we have known all of this for years"! You would think researchers would first of all check if research has all ready been done on their topic. I think there is often not enough scrutiny around grant funding for research. I agree sometimes there is a valid reason for revisiting a topic but checks and balances seem to have fallen by the wayside.
I completely agree with you. BUT the Chinese and South Koreans are now flooding the literature, even with repetition of well known (but forgotten) ideas. It's a political thing - the need for them to publish come what may as much as possible to keep their status and grant-getting alive and well.If it is a repeat dressed up as new then all the better.
I was 'diagnosed' with hypothyroidism via an annual thyroid blood test around 16 years ago on the basis that my already high cholesterol & BP had escalated. It was the 1st I heard of it. But I was very hypo.The rules then changed, a week later I was told to take beta blockers & accused of eating meat. I never did get thyroxine & have to buy OTC glandulars. GP's follow the £ not the health.
If my GP hadn’t started making a fuss about high cholesterol I would never have got hold of my blood results and started investigating the thyroid levels that were also tested but were ignored as “borderline “ by the GP.
I don't know how long the right to look at blood tests has existed ( I only found out about them by accident around 3 years ago,) but what a God send! Hope you are making progress Bearo.
I still have to ask for a printout of blood tests. I’ve signed up to the NHS app, and asked if I can see blood results historically and going forward, but receptionist didn’t think going forward was possible. She did say I could request the historical ones so I’ve put in a subject request following advice on this forum. I never asked for them before last year; didn’t know it was an option.
No, it isn't. It is always worth asking for a full copy of your GP records. At least you'll know what information doctors are seeing in your records.
You can also write to hospitals and ask for any records they may have, although I'm pretty sure that you have to write to each hospital individually and ask.
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