Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania found shows two thyroid disorders – subclinical hypothyroidism and low T3 syndrome – might make heart failure worse.
The findings suggest there are groups of people who might benefit from thyroid treatment who aren’t getting treated right now
The research is published in Circulation: Heart Failure and was conducted by Dr. Anne Cappola et al.
The thyroid, which is located at the base of the neck, releases hormones that control how the entire body uses energy and affects an array of organs throughout the body – including the heart.
Subclinical hypothyroidism is a mild form of hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. Both it and low T3 syndrome occur when the body doesn’t produce enough of certain hormones.
Subclinical hypothyroidism isn’t typically treated with thyroid hormone pills because the thyroid is still functioning properly overall.
For low T3 syndrome, also known as a euthyroid sick syndrome, treating the condition with thyroid hormone pills is considered controversial.
In the study, the team analyzed data collected on 1,365 patients with heart failure – mostly white men who were 57 years old, on average.
Researchers tested the thyroid hormones in blood samples provided by participants at the start of the study.
Most had normal thyroid hormone levels, but 5 percent had subclinical hypothyroidism and 14 percent had low T3 syndrome.
After about four years, the team found that compared with heart failure patients whose thyroids functioned normally, those with subclinical hypothyroidism or low T3 syndrome were more likely to need a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow or a heart transplant.
They also had a higher risk of death.
The team says if doctors were able to completely reverse abnormal thyroid levels in patients who already have heart failure, perhaps their heart failure would be less severe.
If you care about thyroid health, please read studies about the best diet for your thyroid function, and COVID-19 linked to thyroid diseases,
For more information about thyroid health, please see recent studies about what you need to know about thyroid problems, and results showing one in five thyroid cancers linked to overweight.
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