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An estimated 13 million Americans have a thyroid disorder. Nearly half of them may be undiagnosed. Ninety percent of people with diagnosed hypothyroidism have increased cholesterol or triglycerides increasing their risk of heart disease. Studies have shown a direct correlation between the treatment of thyroid disease and the lowering of cholesterol levels.
Elderly women (over 60 or 65 depending on the study) seem to be most effected by these findings. They may have an elevated TSH with or without symptoms of hypothyroidism. Fatigue, confusion, and feeling cold are all symptoms commonly associated with aging that may in fact be related to low thyroid levels. One study from Italy recommends preventive screening for TSH and cholesterol in women over 60 at least every three years. The severity of thyroid disease seems to be directly related to the serum levels of cholesterol. Treatment with T4 supplements has shown a decrease in cholesterol in many studies. The new guidelines for lipid management published by the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists strongly recommend that patients be screened for secondary causes of hyperlipidemia including thyroid disorders before starting medications. The AACE recognizes TSH as the test of choice to monitor thyroid function. One study from France included 1434 male subjects and demonstrated that low serum thyroxine (T4) levels even in the presence of normal TSH is a risk factor for hardening of the arteries in men with high cholesterol. In the US, we have been bombarded with commercials promoting the need for cholesterol-lowering medications that nearly guarantee that we will live to see our grandchildren grow up. In light of recent studies, perhaps, maintaining a low TSH and normal free T3 and T4 are even more important to cholesterol management than either diet or medication. For more information:
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The copyright of the article The Thyroid-Cholesterol Connection in Thyroid Disease is owned by . Permission to republish The Thyroid-Cholesterol Connection in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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