High Cholesterol
Most people don't think of high cholesterol as a form of heart disease, but in reality, it is a serious condition that sets the stage for the arterial damage that leads to heart attack, stroke, and other types of cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol is a naturally occurring fatlike substance that has several important roles in the body. It assists in the production of hormones and cell membranes, aids in the digestion and absorption of fats, and helps promote the synthesis of vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight.
Essential
Your body naturally manufactures cholesterol in the liver, but you also get cholesterol from the foods you eat. The most problematic foods aren't the ones high in cholesterol, such as shrimp, but rather the foods that are rich in saturated fat, such as whole milk, red meats, and cheese, and in trans-fatty acids, such as packaged cookies, snack foods, and baked goods.
The problem occurs when there is too much cholesterol in our bodies.
According to the AACE, about 98 million Americans have high cholesterol, which is defined as cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL.
Hypothyroidism is the third most common cause of high cholesterol, right behind diet and genetics. Having hypothyroidism specifically increases LDL, low-density lipoproteins, or the bad cholesterol, which is responsible for the buildup of damaging plaque in the arteries.
The Thyroid Link
The connection between hypothyroidism and cholesterol is simple: Without enough thyroid hormone, metabolism slows, making it harder for the body to metabolize cholesterol. As a result, the cholesterol lingers in the blood, where it can cause plaque buildup in the blood vessels. According to the AACE, the average cholesterol level for people with an underactive thyroid is 250 mg/dL, which is much higher than what is considered healthy, which is below 200 mg/dL.
Why It's Bad
Having high cholesterol raises your risk for other forms of heart disease, which is already a risk in older adults and in people who are overweight. Fortunately, prompt and proper treatment for hypothyroidism reduces that risk. According to the AACE, patients whose TSH levels are restored to normal will show an estimated 20 to 30 percent reduction in their cholesterol levels.
