High Cholesterol: Menopause or Thyroid Problem?
High LDL cholesterol levels in menopausal women may be linked to thyroid disease.
If you're going through menopause, you've probably noticed that your "bad" LDL cholesterol is on the rise. You're not alone. On average, LDL cholesterol climbs about 9% as women start going through "the change." But perimenopause or menopause may not be completely to blame.
Has menopause started for you? Take this quiz.
Some menopausal symptoms -- hot flashes, dry skin, mood swings, weight gain -- are also signs of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroid) or underactive thyroid (hypothyroid). When your thyroid -- the butterfly-shaped gland in the base of your neck -- functions normally, it regulates your metabolism and how your body uses energy from food. But when it's off, poor thyroid function can cause your LDL cholesterol to rise.
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An underactive thyroid, for example, may raise your LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, which can increase your risk for heart problems and high blood pressure. A recent study suggests this can happen even if your thyroid is just a little bit off.
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To find out if your elevated LDL levels are thyroid-related, ask your doctor about having a thyroid test that can screen for both over- and underactive thyroid function.
Taking a statin medication to lower your cholesterol? Ask you doc about this type of thyroid test.
