Do Statins affect Thyroid Function?

Statin Drugs and Hypothyroidism

Post category:Hypothyroidism / Thyroid

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Post Updated: March 20th 2023

What is the link between statin drugs and hypothyroidism?

Statin drugs and hypothyroidism often go hand-in-hand because many people with hypothyroidism have high cholesterol. Statin drugs are a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, Mevacor, Lipostat, and many others) that block an enzyme that allows your body to absorb cholesterol.

The science behind statin drugs is a little more complicated than most people need to know, but it is important to know that these drugs can lower LDL (that’s the “bad”) cholesterol and seem to help prevent atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

‘So what’, you may be thinking. What do statin drugs and hypothyroidism really have to do with each other? Is this something I really need to be worried about?

Co-enzyme Q10 and thyroid problems.

The reason you need to be concerned about statin drugs and hypothyroidism is because of the antioxidant called Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10 for short. This compound helps your cells produce energy. Supplementation with CoQ10 can be useful for people with Parkinson’s disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and muscular dystrophy, among other ailments.

Doctors say that Co-enzyme Q10 helps the heart pump more effectively and can limit the risk of heart disease, which is already high in people with high cholesterol and seems to be even higher in people, particularly women, with thyroid problems.

Women tend to be deficient in Co-enzyme Q10, and women with thyroid problems seem to have even less CoQ10 than the general population. Having an overactive thyroid in particular burns through the supply of CoQ10 in the body, but anyone with thyroid problems likely has a lower level than will protect the heart.

On the other hand, statin drugs, which are used to lower cholesterol, may bring down the body’s levels of CoQ10.

Protect your heart.

So, if you’re taking statin drugs and you have hypothyroidism, you’re obviously at risk for future heart problems and you’re probably lacking in a compound that could help protect your heart. Talk to your doctor about whether a CoQ10 supplement is right for you.

There are many formulations of CoQ10 on the market, and it is not regulated for potency by the United States Food and Drug Administration, so there’s a bit of buyer beware involved in choosing a CoQ10 supplement.

Studies that have tested the amount of CoQ10 in a supplement have found that some pills that claim to be CoQ10 actually have none of the compounds at all. For that reason, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider you trust before picking up a bottle.

How much do you take?

Dosage suggestions for CoQ10 range from 50 to 1,200 milligrams a day. The recommendation for people on statin drugs with hypothyroidism ranges from 200 to 400 milligrams a day. There are no known serious side effects of taking CoQ10, so you can probably take up to the maximum amount without having any problems.

Some side effects, which are usually mild and go away on their own, include nausea, vomiting, rash, insomnia, headaches, and increased sensitivity to light. It may also lower blood sugar levels, so it should not be taken by people with diabetes or hypoglycemia.

If you have hypothyroidism and are on statin drugs for high cholesterol, it is worth it to talk to your doctor about the possibility of supplementing with Co-enzyme Q10 to protect your heart. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading killers, so it pays to do what you can to protect yourself.

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