Thyroid hormone and lipid levels

[Guest guest]

I know I have brought this up in the past, but I was just reflecting on the last

25 years of statins and the cholesterol lowering bandwagon.

I am bewildered at how the relationship between thyroid hormone and lipids

managed to remain obscured from public view for so many decades.

Research clearly shows medical science was completely aware of the relationship

between T3 thyroid hormone and lipids decades ago, yet not once have I seen this

mentioned to the public in the media.

There is an undeniable relationship between serum levels of Tri-iodothyronine

(active thyroid hormone) and triglycerides and cholesterol levels. But how often

is this checked if a patient presents with unusually elevated lipids?

Sure they may run a routine TSH, but that only measures the chemical signal from

the pituitary gland. If secondary hypothyroidism were happening it would be

missed with just TSH, so a FT4 may be run to make sure there are adequate levels

of unbound T4. ( inactive or semi-active thyroid hormone)

But even a TSH and FT4 test can miss a critical hormone in metabolism. FT3,

Unbound T3 circulating in the blood and available for use by the body.

" But we only check that when hyperthyroidism is suspected " Whoa!

T3 in metabolism is like throwing gasoline on a campfire. Its very active, short

lived, but consumes the wood faster.

Likewise, T3 in human physiology speeds up metabolic processes, burning off

lipids. This is why people with hyperthyroidism may present with very low levels

of cholesterol.

So then, if a person has unexplained, legitimate hypolipidemia, why wouldn't the

FT3 be checked?

Its amazing how people taking thyroid replacement hormone, who switch from T4

only to combination T4/T3 therapy experience a drop in blood lipids.

I think this is something statin marketing would prefer the public not know. In

the case of big pharma sponsored CME, I have my doubts this is emphasized as it

would damage the sales of statin drugs.

Bobby