“Cholesterol is used rapidly under the influence of T3, and ever since the 1930s it has been clear that serum cholesterol rises in hypothyroidism, and is very useful diagnostically.” -Ray Peat PhD.

Clinical Thyroidology Vol 5, Issue 12: The thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism and can affect cholesterol levels. There are several types of cholesterol, including LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol, associated with heart disease) and HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol, thought to protect against heart disease). When thyroid hormone levels are low and TSH levels are increased (hypothyroidism), cholesterol levels are increased.

When thyroid function is low, cholesterol will rise. Thyroid hormone along with other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A are needed for the synthesis of cholesterol into pregnenolone and other protective steroidal hormones.

The higher the thyroid function the more cholesterol the body is consuming. Thyroid also supports the ability to produce cholesterol as well as to rid the body of the cholesterol it doesn’t need. When thyroid hormones are low, the body doesn’t break down and remove LDL cholesterol allowing LDL cholesterol to build up in the blood.

A study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (JCEM) found that high TSH levels alone can directly raise cholesterol levels, even if thyroid hormone levels aren’t high.

Hyperthyroidism had the opposite effect.

References

Effects of Thyroid Dysfunction on Lipid Profile
C.V Rizos, M.S Elisaf, and E.N Liberopoulos Effects of Thyroid Dysfunction on Lipid Profile

Cholesterol 101: An introduction. (2017).
heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol

Hyperthyroidism. (2018).
thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/ata-hyperthyroidism-brochure.pdf

Hypothyroidism. (2017).
thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/ata-hypothyroidism-brochure.pdf

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20373659

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284

Rizos CV, et al. (2011). Effects of thyroid dysfunction on lipid profile. DOI:
10.2174/1874192401105010076
Wang F, et al. (2012). Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels within the reference range are associated with serum lipid profiles independent of thyroid hormones. DOI:
10.1210/jc.2012-1133


THE BEAR Elevated cholesterol is a reflection of thyroid health