From the Research
Effect of Statins on Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Levels
- Statin use has been associated with lower TSH levels and higher odds of being euthyroid 1
- A study found that statin use was independently associated with lower TSH levels and higher odds to be euthyroid (OR 2.335, p = 0.004) at the end of follow-up 1
- Another study suggested that statins may falsely lower the serum TSH without altering thyroid function ("pseudohyperthyroidism") or, alternatively, statins may improve thyroid function in patients with hyperthyroidism 2
- In patients with normal thyroid function, statin administration was found to decrease CPK levels and increase the proportion of patients with normal CPK levels, particularly in those with lower TSH levels 3
- However, a study found no significant differences in TSH levels between patients with statin-induced myopathy and patients with other types of adverse effects 4
- Intensive statin therapy has been found to reduce thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibody titers, as well as tend to reduce circulating levels of thyrotropin, in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis 5
Mechanism of Action
- The association between statin use and TSH levels has been found to be mediated by changes in total cholesterol (TC) levels 1
- Statins may exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which could contribute to their effects on thyroid autoimmunity and TSH levels 5