Thyroid disease is a common health issue, particularly among older adults and women. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces hormones that play a key role in controlling energy levels, body temperature, weight, and mood.
When the gland doesn’t function properly, it can lead to either too little hormone production (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism).
These conditions can cause a variety of health problems, and a recent study has revealed that even mild thyroid issues may significantly impact heart health.
For over 200 years, it has been known that severe thyroid disorders, especially thyrotoxicosis (an extreme form of hyperthyroidism), can cause irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).
Arrhythmias are dangerous because they can lead to sudden cardiac death. However, the potential heart risks of milder thyroid conditions have been less clear—until now.
Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum and other institutions reviewed 32 studies involving 1.3 million participants.
Their findings suggest that even slight changes in thyroid hormone levels can increase the risk of serious heart problems, including sudden cardiac death. This highlights the importance of monitoring thyroid function, even in cases where symptoms seem mild.
The study found a strong link between the levels of a specific thyroid hormone, free T4 (FT4), and the risk of heart issues. Higher concentrations of FT4 were directly associated with a greater likelihood of heart problems, including arrhythmias.
Interestingly, the relationship between another hormone, TSH (thyrotropin), and heart risk followed a more complex pattern. TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland to regulate the thyroid.
The researchers discovered that heart risks were highest when TSH levels were either too high or too low, creating a U-shaped pattern of risk.
Two main mechanisms were proposed to explain these findings. In the first, called the “dyshomeostatic type,” heart risks are directly driven by thyroid disorders that cause hormone levels to go out of balance.
In this case, the thyroid gland itself is the source of the problem, leading to increased FT4 levels and, consequently, greater cardiovascular risk.
In the second mechanism, called the “allostatic type,” factors such as genetics, chronic stress, or psychological strain raise the body’s regulatory set point for thyroid function.
This means that the body indirectly produces higher levels of FT4, which can still lead to arrhythmias and heart problems, even when the thyroid gland is not directly diseased.
These findings provide a new understanding of the relationship between the thyroid and the heart. They may also open the door to more personalized approaches for preventing and treating heart problems.
For example, thyroid function could serve as a biomarker to identify the underlying cause of arrhythmias in individual patients. This could help doctors select the most effective medications or treatments for each person.
The study, conducted by Dr. Johannes Dietrich and colleagues, was published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.
It emphasizes the importance of paying attention to thyroid health—not only for managing traditional symptoms like fatigue or weight changes but also for reducing the risk of serious heart issues.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease, and coconut sugar could help reduce artery stiffness.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that Vitamin D deficiency can increase heart disease risk, and results showing vitamin B6 linked to lower death risk in heart disease.
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