When most people talk about cholesterol, they think it's caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, or genetics. But did you know that sometimes high cholesterol can be caused by a problem with a small gland in your neck? Today, we're going to talk about this bigger-than-thought connection between thyroid disease and cholesterol. In fact, about 13% of people with hypothyroidism are at risk of having high "bad" cholesterol levels.
What is the connection between these two?
Simply put, cholesterol is a waxy substance found in our blood. It is produced by our bodies and also comes from animal foods. There are several types of cholesterol and its related fats. Let's understand them clearly.
| Cholesterol/fat type | The name we call | How it affects the body |
|---|---|---|
| High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) | "Good cholesterol" | These help the body remove unwanted cholesterol from the body to the liver. Low levels of these are not good for the heart. |
| Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) | "Bad cholesterol" | When these levels increase, they deposit on the walls of blood vessels, narrowing and blocking them. This is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes. |
| Triglycerides | "Fats in the blood" | These are not a type of cholesterol, but fats that come from the foods we eat. Increased levels of these also increase the risk of heart disease. |
Okay, now let's look at the thyroid gland. It's a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of our neck. Its main job is to produce hormones that control our metabolism, the rate at which our body uses energy.
When someone has an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism , the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This is when the cholesterol problem arises.
Think of your liver as a filter that cleans out unwanted substances from our blood, especially bad cholesterol (LDL). Thyroid hormones are the switch that controls the speed of this filter.
When thyroid hormone levels decrease, the liver's function also decreases. Just as the filter speed decreases. Then, the rate at which bad cholesterol (LDL) is removed from the blood also decreases. The result is that cholesterol accumulates in the blood and gradually begins to deposit in the blood vessels. As research has shown, even a slight decrease in thyroid hormone levels is enough to suddenly increase cholesterol levels.
On the other hand, there is a condition called hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland is overactive. It is not as common as hypothyroidism. One thing that can happen in that condition is a decrease in the level of "good cholesterol" (HDL). So if you have this condition, your doctor will also be paying close attention to your cholesterol levels.
How are these conditions treated?
The best news here is that when thyroid disease is properly treated, it can also significantly improve your cholesterol levels.
Doctors treat hypothyroidism by giving the body pills to replace the low amount of thyroid hormone. This may be a lifelong treatment. The important thing to note is that while treating thyroid disease can lower cholesterol, taking cholesterol-lowering medications does not cure thyroid disease.
That's why doctors recommend that all adults who are newly diagnosed with high cholesterol levels get their thyroid function tested. This is a very important step.
What if cholesterol levels are still high after treatment?
Sometimes, even when taking thyroid hormone medication correctly, some people's cholesterol levels don't go down as much as expected. If this is the case for you, your doctor may recommend a few more steps.
- A healthy diet: Reduce oil, sugar, and processed foods and increase fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and legumes.
- Regular exercise: Even a simple exercise like walking for 30 minutes a day can make a big difference.
- Other cholesterol-lowering medications: If necessary, you may be asked to use special medications (for example, statins) to lower cholesterol along with your thyroid medication.
All of this is determined by your doctor after examining your blood tests and health status. So don't start or stop medication at your own discretion.
Take-Home Message
- Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, can be a major cause of high cholesterol levels.
- If you've been newly diagnosed with high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about getting your thyroid hormone levels checked.
- Proper treatment of thyroid disease can often help control cholesterol levels.
- In some cases, lifestyle changes and other cholesterol-lowering medications may be needed along with thyroid treatment.
- Always talk openly with your doctor about your health problems and treatment options. Avoid making decisions based on guesswork.
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