lipids and thyroid disease
Last reviewed 10/2023
Hypothyroidism:
- serum LDL cholesterol is raised; more rarely triglycerides are also raised
- LDL catabolism is reduced
- lipoprotein lipase activity and triglyceride catabolism may be reduced
- HDL may be increased - this is because of a reduced rate of transfer of cholesteroyl ester from HDL to other lipoproteins
- biliary excretion of cholesterol is reduced
Adequate thyroxine replacement reverses these effects.
Subclinical hypothyroidism:
- probably causes a slight increase in LDL cholesterol
Hyperthyroidism:
- generally results in reduced LDL and HDL
- increased triglycerides may occur