High Cholesterol? Check Your Thyroid
By Chauncey Crandall, M.D.
An article in a publication of the Harvard Medical School points out the connection between thyroid problems and cardiovascular disease.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that wraps around the front of the windpipe. It’s the body’s “gas pedal,” controlling the rate of metabolism with the hormone secreted by this gland speeding up and slowing down the rate at which the body burns energy.
Secretions from the pituitary gland, a pea-sized organ located at the base of the brain, control the thyroid, stepping on the gas or backing off. The pituitary gland regulates the thyroid by secreting thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
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Hypothyroidism shows up in a variety of other symptoms besides high cholesterol — so many, in fact, that their variety makes a proper diagnosis of hypothyroidism difficult. These symptoms include fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, fluid retention, slow pulse, enlarged thyroid gland, depression, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, joint pain, heavier menstrual periods, carpal tunnel syndrome, and, of course, high cholesterol.
The opposite condition — an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism — has its own range of symptoms, including enlarged thyroid gland, heat intolerance, exhaustion, nervousness, weight loss, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.
Both conditions can result in heart failure. An underactive thyroid is the more common culprit in heart disease, though. Hypothyroidism results in climbing cholesterol counts, and high cholesterol is the driver of cardiovascular disease.
The most common test for thyroid problems actually measures the TSH that the pituitary gland secretes. A high level generally indicates an underactive thyroid. An extremely low level indicates an overactive thyroid.
Measuring TSH alone often does not tell the complete story. If there’s any doubt, a full thyroid panel more directly measures thyroid hormone levels.