Hypothyroidism can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to the accumulation of high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver tissue. This accumulation causes oxidative stress and inflammation, and the hormone leptin is another factor in this equation. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with risk factors like obesity, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Hypothyroidism is often associated with elevated serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in the production, clearance, and transformation of cholesterol, and hypothyroidism results in increased cholesterol absorption in the gut and decreased LDL cholesterol clearance, leading to higher LDL levels.
An underactive thyroid means that the body removes less LDL cholesterol from the blood, leading to high levels of LDL and total cholesterol. Hypothyroidism is linked to high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high total cholesterol levels. Up to 90% of hypothyroid patients have abnormal serum lipids, including high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are all risk factors. Hypothyroidism, characterized by low thyroid hormone levels, can lead to a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Morbid Hypothyroidism and Liver Dysfunction: A Review | Low thyroid hormones, a characteristic of hypothyroidism, have been demonstrated to contribute to dyslipidemia, a condition marked by elevated cholesterol levels and the presence of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and other associated factors. | pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov |
| Hypothyroidism and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease | Consequently, hypothyroidism may precipitate the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to the elevation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in conjunction with triglycerides in the liver tissue. In such instances, | www.healthline.com |
| Hypothyroidism-Associated Dyslipidemia: Potential … | Mavromati, M.. Hypothyroidism results in increased cholesterol absorption in the gut and decreased LDL cholesterol clearance, leading to higher LDL cholesterol levels. | pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov |
📹 Does Low Thyroid Cause High Cholesterol?
Did you know that thyroid problems can cause high cholesterol? In fact, sometimes elevated cholesterol results can show up …
What causes elevated AST and ALT enzymes?
There are many causes of mildly elevated ALT and AST levels. The most common causes are nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease. In NAFLD, the liver has more fatty tissue in it than normal. Regular or heavy alcohol use can also hurt the liver and increase liver enzymes. Other medical conditions can increase liver enzymes, like hepatitis B or C and a condition that runs in families called hemochromatosis. Using certain medicines and over-the-counter supplements can also increase liver enzymes.
People with mild elevations in liver enzymes usually do not have symptoms.
Your doctor will ask you questions and examine you to try and find out why your liver enzymes are elevated. He or she may also do blood tests. A scan of your liver, called an ultrasound, might help your doctor find a cause.
Can high cholesterol raise liver enzymes?
Cholesterol-dependent inflammatory response and cell death in the hepatocyte are influenced by the increased flux of fatty acids through mitochondrial oxidation and cholesterol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. This leads to an increased burden of reactive oxygen intermediates, particularly in the presence of ω-6-polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cholesterol can be excreted into the bile via ABCG5/8 or after conversion into bile acids via the bile salt export pump. Excess cholesterol is converted into oxysterols, which may activate the liver X receptor, triggering the synthesis of ABCG5/8 and enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis. Oxysterols may also activate NFκB and enhance the production of pro-IL-1β.
The hepatocyte is the only site at which significant quantities of cholesterol may be removed from the body either by excretion in form of free cholesterol or by secretion after conversion into bile acids. If the supply with cholesterol exceeds the hepatocyte’s capacity for bile acid synthesis and cholesterol secretion, the only safe mode of disposing cholesterol is the formation of cholesterol esters that are transiently stored in the hepatocyte.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, with its prevalence increasing due to the increasing proportion of overweight and obese patients. NASH, a chronically progressive disease leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma, is the most common reason for terminal hepatic failure in western societies. Despite intense research, it is not clear whether NAFLD and NASH are different temporal stages of the same disease and if so, what molecular mechanisms trigger the progression. Recent evidence suggests that dietary cholesterol might play a critical role in this process.
Can hypothyroidism cause kidney and liver problems?
Summary. A growing body of evidence suggests that hypothyroidism is a risk factor for incident CKD, CKD progression, and higher death risk in kidney disease patients. Rigorous studies are needed to determine impact of thyroid hormone replacement upon kidney disease progression, cardiovascular disease, and mortality, which may shed light into the causal implications of hypothyroidism in CKD.
Keywords: Thyroid function, thyrotropin, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, dialysis.
Introduction. Thyroid functional disorders are commonly observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Primary hypothyroidism, which is typically identified by biochemical tests including an elevated serum thyrotropin (TSH) level in conjunction with a low or normal thyroxine (T4) level (defined as overt and subclinical hypothyroidism, respectively), is disproportionately more prevalent in patients with advanced kidney dysfunction compared to those with normal function. In addition, various thyroid functional test abnormalities are frequently seen in CKD patients, resulting from alterations in thyroid hormone synthesis, metabolism, and regulation.( 1, 4 ) While early studies hypothesized that thyroid hormone deficiency may be a physiologic adaptation in kidney disease patients, contemporary data have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death in this population.( 1, 6 – 9 ) In this review, we will (i) examine potential mechanistic links between thyroid and kidney disease; (ii) describe common patterns of thyroid functional test alterations in CKD; (iii) summarize existing evidence of thyroid hormone deficiency as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death in CKD, including underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms; and (iv) discuss the clinical management of hypothyroidism in CKD patients and future areas of research.
Can hypothyroidism cause liver enzymes to be elevated?
Causes of liver dysfunction associated with hypothyroidism. Liver dysfunction associated with hypothyroidism may be due to diseases related to the thyroid gland, or infrequently, thyroid hormone use. 7 The liver dysfunction is believed to be as a result of impaired lipid metabolism, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hypothyroidism-induced myopathy, hypothyroidism-associated gallstones, thyroid hormone use, and occasionally, interferon-induced thyroid dysfuntion ( Figure 1 ). 7, 8 The pattern of liver dysfunction associated with hypothyroidism are varied. 7 Hypothyroidism may be associated with slightly increased serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alanine amino-transferase (ALT), a finding which is thought to be due to reduced metabolism of lipids and hepatic steatosis associated with hypothyroidism. 9 Also hypothyroidism-induced myopathy may be associated with increased serum levels of aspartate amino-transferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) independently of liver dysfunction, 10 whilst obstructive jaundice may be caused by hypothyroidism-associated gallstones. 11.
Causes of hypothyroidism-associated liver disease. 7, 8.
Abbreviations: NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Can hypothyroidism cause a fatty liver?
Abstract. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global problem. It may be caused by metabolic and hormonal disorders, including hypothyroidism. However, non-thyroid causes of NAFLD in people with hypothyroidism, including improper eating behavior and low physical activity, should be acknowledged. This study aimed to present the current literature on whether the development of NAFLD is related to hypothyroidism or a typical consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle in people with hypothyroidism. The results of previous studies do not allow for an unequivocal determination of the pathogenetic relationship between hypothyroidism and NAFLD. Important non-thyroid-initiating factors include providing too many calories in relation to requirements, consuming excessive amounts of monosaccharides and saturated fats, being overweight, and maintaining low physical activity levels. The recommended nutritional model for both hypothyroidism and NAFLD may be the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E.
Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Hypothyroidism, Lifestyle, Exercise, Feeding behavior, Body weight.
Core Tip: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects 25% of the adult population worldwide; however, the causes of the disease remain unclear. This review answers the question of whether the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is related to hypothyroidism or whether it is a typical consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle in people with hypothyroidism.
What are the worst symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Symptoms of an underactive thyroidtiredness. being sensitive to cold. weight gain. constipation. depression. slow movements and thoughts. muscle aches and weakness. muscle cramps.
About underactive thyroids. An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones.
Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed.
An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid isn’t making.
Can hypothyroidism cause high cholesterol?
Thyroid hormone directly impacts cholesterol levels, with hypothyroid patients having higher cholesterol levels compared to those with normal thyroid function. Overt hyperthyroidism, characterized by low TSH and high FT 4 and T 3, is associated with an increase in total cholesterol levels of around 44 mg/dL. Treatment with levothyroxine significantly lowers cholesterol levels in overt hypothyroidism patients, while hyperthyroidism treatment with antithyroid medications causes an increase in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol. Treatment with subclinical hypothyroidism patients shows a small decrease in total cholesterol levels by 12 mg/dL, LDL-cholesterol by 11 mg/dL, and triglycerides by 4 mg/dL.
This study confirms that treatment of hyper and hypothyroidism is associated with changes in cholesterol and lipoprotein levels. Overt hypothyroidism treatment with levothyroxine significantly lowers cholesterol levels, while treatment with hyperthyroidism with antithyroid medications causes an increase in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol. Treatment of subclinical thyroid disease results in smaller changes, and while overt thyroid disease requires therapy, treatment of subclinical thyroid disease is less straightforward.
What major organ is affected by hypothyroidism?
What is hypothyroidism?. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, happens when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones to meet your body’s needs.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. It makes hormones that control the way the body uses energy. These hormones affect nearly every organ in your body and control many of your body’s most important functions. For example, they affect your breathing, heart rate, weight, digestion, and moods. Without enough thyroid hormones, many of your body’s functions slow down. But there are treatments that can help.
What causes hypothyroidism?. Hypothyroidism has several causes. They include:
- Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your thyroid. This is the most common cause.
- Thyroiditis, inflammation of the thyroid
- Congenital hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism that is present at birth
- Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid
- Radiation treatment of the thyroid
- Certain medicines
- In rare cases, a pituitary disease or too much or too little iodine in your diet
What are 10 warning signs of high cholesterol?
What are the warning signs of high cholesterol?Nausea. Numbness. Slurred speech. Extreme fatigue. Chest pain or angina. Shortness of breath. Numbness or coldness in extremities. High blood pressure.
How do you know if you have high cholesterol? Since high cholesterol has no symptoms, the only way to tell is through a blood test looking at your lipid levels. If you think your cholesterol levels are higher than they should be, don’t wait to contact your doctor.
The buildup of plaque caused by high cholesterol can put you at risk for much more serious diseases like cardiovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery (heart) disease (CAD), or stroke. As frightening as that can sound, don’t panic. With the help of your doctor, you can improve your cholesterol levels through medication and/or lifestyle changes.
In this article, we will teach you how to tell if you have high cholesterol, walk you through common risk factors, and advise you on when to seek emergency treatment.
What is the best diet for hypothyroidism and fatty liver?
Abstract. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global problem. It may be caused by metabolic and hormonal disorders, including hypothyroidism. However, non-thyroid causes of NAFLD in people with hypothyroidism, including improper eating behavior and low physical activity, should be acknowledged. This study aimed to present the current literature on whether the development of NAFLD is related to hypothyroidism or a typical consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle in people with hypothyroidism. The results of previous studies do not allow for an unequivocal determination of the pathogenetic relationship between hypothyroidism and NAFLD. Important non-thyroid-initiating factors include providing too many calories in relation to requirements, consuming excessive amounts of monosaccharides and saturated fats, being overweight, and maintaining low physical activity levels. The recommended nutritional model for both hypothyroidism and NAFLD may be the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin E.
Keywords: Body weight; Exercise; Feeding behavior; Hypothyroidism; Lifestyle; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
What hormone imbalance causes high cholesterol levels?
Here’s what the numbers mean — and strategies to lower your cholesterol if it’s too high.. For some women who’ve had normal cholesterol readings all their lives, that changes at menopause. “Going through menopause often results in lipid and cholesterol changes for the worse,” says Dr. Samia Mora, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a specialist in cardiovascular medicine the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Drops in the female hormone, estrogen, are associated with a rise in total cholesterol levels due to higher amounts of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol, and another blood lipid (fat) known as triglyceride. Over time this can raise heart risks, which is a reason for concern, as cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in postmenopausal women, says Dr. Mora.
“So, it’s especially important to track the numbers in perimenopause and the early years after menopause, as LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol tend to increase,” she says.
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
📹 Does Thyroid Disease Cause High Cholesterol-Before You Take Statin Medications Watch This.
Www.DrHagmeyer.com Before You take a statin or cholesterol lowering medication, watch today’s video. This video explains how …
OMG! Thank you so much for this article! I’ve been struggling with my high cholesterol, Triglycerides and low thyroid for years and have not been able to get my doctors to hear me that there has to be more going on! This give me more information to share with them to get a more in-depth test done on my thyroid! Thank you! 🎉
Thank you for a very informative article. Currently I’m experiencing this very issue, high cholesterol low thyroid. I changed my eating to mostly plant based and limit the amount of meat I consume as well as eliminating refine sugar. After 6 mos of Levothyroxine my doctor has decided 25 mcg is right where I need to be. Chronic stress is still an issue for me mainly due to prolonged grief as my husband of 46 yrs passed away from stage 4 cancer 7 days before the Covid lockdown. Even though my thyroid is in a normal range I’m still exhausted throughout the day and rarely sleep through the night. I may consider a functional medicine approach after seeing this article.
Hello Dr. Thank you for your article. I am a carnivore. I also have thyroid disease currently on .88mg. Cholesterol total 355, trig and hdl are normal, taking 10mg Rosuvastatin. A1C was 5.9 now 5.7. Seems like whack a mole to me. Current Doctors do not seem concerned. Does not seem acceptable to me. Am I correct?
Hi Dr. Kate. This is Swapnil from India. Since 2 year, I’m also facing the same issue. I’m the patient of hypothyroidism taking 100 mcg thyronorm tablet for it. I completely avoid eating of outside oily and fried food Still my lipid profile is disturbed. I’m scared of developing some CVD/heart disease in future. kindly help me out.
This sounds like me. I have high cholesterol and hardly eat much red meat or carbs. There is no reason that I should have high cholesterol. I have told my doctors for several years to gjve me a full thyroid panel. Well the couple of times that they have checked it all they only checked was the tsh. I have many symptoms of hypothyroidism. Really wish that they would listen and do a full thyroid panel. Almost positive this is what I have. My maternal grandmother and my dads sister both had hypothyroidism. Really wish they would take it into consideration since it runs in my family. I have many of the symptoms that my grandma did. I have joint aches that come and go and stiff tired muscles.
Am curious if cofactors(which?) could be causing the cholesterol to not be turned into hormones (DHEA,E,T low, prog ok). Also had a saliva cortisol which showed low am but the serum was barely high am, so body wasnt activating at a good circadian time? Good interesting info on this vid! Thanks. (TSH is 0.7-2.1, T3 in but low end, no ab,good Tryg & HDL). Read of T2 seems confusing.
4:34 Iodine? All the information provided is very complete, accurate and formative except for this: 5:28 “LDL cholesterol contribute to inflammation and plaque build-up and blood vessels….” There is no evidence or link of causality between high LDL and CVD. Cholesterol plays a major role for a good hormone health. In simple words, Cholesterol is essential for life. In my view, if you consider yourself a functional medicine professional, you can’t have the same fearful speech about cholesterol like the statins’ instigators
I never felt well and use to be so fatigue, slept alot, drank so much caffeine to stay awake and always cold, hair fell out, brittle nails and kept saying somethings wrong I don’t feel right the ER and Dr always said nothing was wrong. I was having elevated liver enzymes and high cholesterol and blood pressure, went vegan and all lost weight and kept gaining weight I’m anti depressants, cholesterol and blood pressure pills along with synthroid meds. I’m better now and have more energy my levels are always where it’s supposed to now.
Fantastic article explaining the correlation of hypothyroidism and triglycerides. My GP doesn’t get this at all and want to prescribe statin and blood pressure meds which I also believe is an impact of thyroid. Doc, thank you so much for educating us. Please can you advise us if diet/lifestyle/exercise can help to lower triglycerides/bad cholesterol. Does fasting and keto help or not. Thank you so much. New subscriber. ❤
My doctor will not let me see my own blood work (lipid panel) until she sees it first. I have an appointment with her tomorrow! I still haven’t seen it. I am concerned this is to blindside me into a statin. Who wants to go into any meeting with old data while everyone else at the table has the latest? Not only that, but they posted in their patient portal a different panel. So why not the lipid panel too? So frustrating. It’s my blood, my body, I’m paying for it! Anyway, pretty sure she will chuck the lifestyle change I’ve made (dropped 40 lbs so far) and just bring up the drugs. I’m sick of this. If anyone is reading this,don’t wait till something happens to find a doc on the same page as you.
So glad I found this article. I was told I have Hashimoto Hypothyroidism many years ago. I am 69 now. I had a test every year and every year I am told I’m in the normal range. A year ago I had a cardiac incident where they said I was going to have a heart attack. After my hospital stay, they put me on Atorvastatin, and of course my Levothyroxine. I have also had bouts of diverticulitis for the past nine years, and over the course of time 4 colonoscopies, 3 in the US, and after moving to France another one last month. I suffered for months waiting for paperwork for medical care, and finally got my health card. These months have been about rectal bleeding and diarrhea, and pain on the lower left side. In the past my doctor removed polyps, this time this french doctor said I have no polyps, and after the surgery and to this day I still have diarrhea and bleeding. I have to go see him on the 15th, and I want him to give me tests for my T3 and T4 levels, also a scan to see why I am bleeding all the time. Also I want to get off Atorvastatin. I have exhaustion all the time and pain. I am taking proton pump blockers, and also citalopram for depression. Sorry If I sound like a maniac but here in France I need some help. Suggestions, anything will help. Please write back. I am worried about interactions with all these stupid drugs, and need to know how to get off them safely and what to stay on. I am also going to french school to learn to speak it and the pain is interfering and stress isn’t helping any.
Wow I just found this, I have been diagnosed with hashimotos… several years back when I started on Bio identical hormones. Wasn’t long after that I had a double bypass… not one cardiologist ever ever told me about one causing the other! I stopped taking statins due to the side effects, corrected my diet, intermittent fast but ” still ” struggle with my LDL increase… not by much but enough to have very heated conversation with my doctor. Even after telling him I have thyroid disease!!! I have personally have taken charge of my own health and have my thyroid tested and taking NP thyroid 90 mg and and my hormones tested … what should I do next ??? Exhausted
Hello Doctor! This information was absolutely very helpful… so to break it down into simple terms, you are saying to take care of the thyroid problem will eliminate the cholesterol problems, without drugs and increased risks? When I say eliminate cholesterol problems, I mean using diet and letting the correction in thyroid help maintain the corrected levels… Thank you for your service!
My mother, aged 60, has normal T3 and T4 levels but a 7.8 on TSH. She also has high cholesterol as stated in your article. Our doctor prescribed Atorvastatin 20mg and Thyroxin 25mcg which she has been having for the past 16 days. She has been complaining of a lot muscular aches for the past week, should she discontinue the statin medication?
I am wondering where you stand on combined T4 T3 treatments of normalized TSH level patients medicated for hypothyroidism with T4 and with otherwise unexplained high cholesterol, I see the literature is mounting agreeing that for about 12 percent of T4 medicated patients high cholesterol will be a problem because of a lack of conversion of T4 to T3… but there seems not to be much agreement yet in the use of the T3 to fix this, partly for reasons of practicality. I am concluding this from what I have seen in medical studies int he USA and Europe, but perhaps with your particularly profound way of looking at things you have seen other material. super curious to hear what you have to say on this. Thanks so much for this article, really interesting!!
Dr. Richard, I must say you have kind of de-mystified my reason for high cholesterol which my GP (general practitioner) had been pushing so much to take statin and me refusing. I won’t. I know it is very bad when I took one at the first prescription. I did not take another afterwards. I have kind of achieved a new balance with Hypo-Thyroidism (Anti bodies at 1300 but TSH, T3 & T4 normalized. This new balance is due to Thyroide enlargement that you must be familiar with). However, the Cholesterol levels are now high (namely the bad ones). When you said insulin resistance I can immediately connect that to a thing that happens to me on a sporting day. On sporting day, just when the sport starts I immediately feel sudden drop in energy. I am with full stomach and water but my energy levels just do not sustain. I could never understand this. As you mentioned, doctor would do glucose and all other tests but not “insulin resistance”. My question to you is; do you think the sudden drop of energy would be due to the insulin resistance?