Thyroid (TSH) and Cholesterol

The Healing Collective • November 2, 2022
Article provided by Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP complements of Functional Medicine University.

Your body needs thyroid hormones to make cholesterol and to get rid of the cholesterol it doesn't need. 


When thyroid hormone levels are low (hypothyroidism), your body doesn't break down and remove LDL cholesterol as efficiently as usual.  LDL cholesterol can then build up in your blood.


Thyroid hormone levels don't have to be very low to increase cholesterol.  Even people with mildly low thyroid levels, called subclinical hypothyroidism, can have higher than normal LDL cholesterol.


A 2012 study found that high TSH levels alone can directly raise cholesterol levels, even if thyroid hormone levels aren't low.


Studies reported that patients with TSH levels at the upper limit of the normal range (thus with normal thyroid hormone levels) were more likely to have higher cholesterol levels as compared with those with lower TSH levels.


Normal TSH is 1.4 — with an ideal range of 0.7 to 2.0.  Anything above 2.5 indicates some combination of Metabolic Syndrome and / or Thyroid Insufficiency.


The takeaway is to give focus to your TSH in the event there is hyperlipidemia and treat accordingly:  Improving unfavorable lipids could be as simple as fixing the thyroid.

The information on this site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Grisanti and his functional medicine community. Dr. Grisanti encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.


We offer whole-person functional and integrative care at The Healing Collective. Contact us to schedule a free consult or to become a new patient at our clinic in Niwot, CO. Learn more about our functional medicine providers here.

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