Category: thyroid relationship

Thyroid and Calcium

Posted on by Thyroid Information

There is a direct relationship between our thyroid and calcium. Specifically, the parathyroid gland is regarded as the “calcium-regulating” gland which is important in keeping our bones strong and healthy.

Have you ever wondered why there are some people who remain skinny even if they eat a lot of food? What is the role of calcium in the development of osteoporosis and thyroid problems?

Get to Know More About the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is a two-lobed organ located in front of the neck, just beneath the Adam’s apple. It secretes three types of hormones which are the thyroxine or T4, triiodothyronine or T3, and calcitonin. These hormones are important in the promotion of normal calcium levels in the blood.

The first two are responsible for the body’s metabolism. Iodine found in our diet is very important in the production of thyroid hormones.

You might have heard people saying that they have either a “fast” or “slow” metabolism, which is actually the rate of how the body uses the stored energy. Thyroid hormones enable the cells to consume more energy and they are important in protein production as well as glucose and fat consumption.

Calcitonin plays an important role in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus in our bodies, that’s why thyroid and calcium work together. It is released into the bloodstream by the thyroid gland if there is a high level of calcium in the blood. It decreases the calcium and phosphorus blood level and increases their absorption in the bone.

Get to Know More About the Parathyroid Glands

The parathyroid glands are found in the lower neck region behind the thyroid. They are four small glands that are the shape and size of a grain of rice. The parathyroid is responsible for secreting the parathyroid hormone which is used in regulating the blood calcium levels.

What is the role of parathyroid hormone? It is very powerful because it influences our bones to release more calcium into the blood. It regulates the calcium that is absorbed from the food we eat. It determines the amount of calcium that should be excreted via our kidneys.

The parathyroid hormone also dictates the amount of calcium stored in our bones. Moreover, it increases the active Vitamin D formation, thus increasing intestinal phosphorus and calcium absorption.

How Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands Work With Calcium

The release of parathyroid hormone is triggered when the blood calcium level is low. If the serum calcium is high, the parathyroid hormone release is suppressed. Calcitonin and parathyroid hormones work together to regulate blood calcium levels.

When will these hormones be released? The calcium level in the blood is the primary stimulus for the parathyroid hormone and calcitonin to be released. When the blood calcium serum level is high, the thyroid gland secretes calcitonin, slowing down the activity of osteoclasts in the bone.

If the blood calcium level is low, it stimulates the parathyroid glands to secrete parathyroid hormone, encouraging the normal and natural process of bone breakdown.

This is crucial for the growth and maintenance of bones. Thyroid and calcium levels work together with the hormones to achieve normal blood calcium levels.

The parathyroid and calcium work together. Calcitonin and parathyroid hormones have opposing actions, and these regulate the calcium levels in the blood. This is why disorders of the parathyroid hormone such as parathyroid adenoma (tumor of the parathyroid glands) may result in hypercalcemia (increased blood calcium levels).

What Studies and Research Show

Calcium and thyroid function work hand-in-hand. In 2005, the Department of Medicine of the University Hospital of North Norway reported a case about a young man who has extreme hypercalcemia associated with parathyroid adenoma. The young man manifested hypercalcaemic syndrome.

The patient underwent parathyroidectomy which quickly resolved the clinical symptoms. It prevented the occurrence of hypercalcaemic crisis, which is a life-threatening condition as a complication of primary hyperparathyroidism. It is manifested by muscle weakness, gastrointestinal problems, and cerebral symptoms.

Hypothyroidism and calcium levels have a direct correlation. How is this possible?

Thyroid and calcium play an important role together and having an imbalance in one affects the other.

According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, there are various studies showing that hypothyroid subjects who were given an acute dose of calcium retained elevated serum calcium levels for a longer period of time as compared to controlled subjects.

In the reported case of a woman having hypothyroidism and hypercalcemia, as published in the Southern Medical Journal, thyroid replacement therapy greatly improved the woman’s condition. However, in order to determine if the association of hypercalcemia and hypothyroidism is real, further research and studies should be carried out.

Conclusion

In the interplay of thyroid and calcium, as the parathyroid hormone function also plays a crucial part in achieving normal blood calcium levels.

They have a direct relationship in the maintenance of proper hormonal and cellular activity, primarily blood calcium regulation.

Thyroid and calcium play a crucial role in the promotion and maintenance of health.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/918707

http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com/sp-3.28.0a/ovidweb.cgi?T=JS&PAGE=fulltext&D=ovft&AN=00007611-197711000-00041&NEWS=N&CSC=Y&CHANNEL=PubMed

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2005.01506.x

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15953136

Selenium and Its Role in Thyroid Function

Posted on by Thyroid Information

You may not realize it, but your thyroid gland plays a huge role in your overall health.  Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of neck, and it produces hormones that are responsible for maintaining most of your body’s natural processes.  These hormones are called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).  T3 and T4 are essential in order for your body’s metabolism to function efficiently, and also lend a hand in controlling your cholesterol levels, monitoring your breathing and heart rate, normalizing your body temperature, and more.  Without your thyroid, your entire endocrine system would fall apart.

There are a number of minerals that help keep your thyroid running smoothly, and one of the most important ones is selenium.  Keep reading to discover more about how selenium specifically aids thyroid function and why it is one of the dietary minerals we just can’t do without!

What Happens When Your Thyroid Isn’t Working Properly?

Thyroid conditions are much more common than most people realize; in the U.S. alone, over 20 million people are affected, with the vast majority being women.  Statistically, one man will be diagnosed with a thyroid condition for every 5-8 women who receive the same diagnosis.  Your body requires very precise levels of thyroid hormones, so anything that sets off that balance in going to cause a problem.  The most common form of thyroid dysfunctions are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism[i].

Hyperthyroidism is when your body produces too much T3 and T4.  Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism include sensitivity to heat/ feeling too warm all the day, high levels of stress and anxiety, heart palpitations, thinning skin and hair, weakened muscles, insomnia, and menstrual irregularities.  The most common causes behind this condition are autoimmune disorders like Graves’ Disease, thyroiditis (usually a temporary inflammation caused by a viral infection), or nodules growing on the thyroid.  Occasionally, hyperthyroidism can also be caused by taking too much of a thyroid hormone in tablet form[ii].

Hypothyroidism is the opposite problem; this is when your body produces too little T3/T4 hormones.  People who are hypothyroid usually report feeling cold, insomnia, having difficulty losing weight, cognitive dysfunction (i.e. trouble remembering, etc.), chronic fatigue, and more.  Hypothyroidism can be caused by a genetic predisposition but may also be caused by external factors such as thyroid cancer, chemotherapy treatments, certain medications, and autoimmune disease.  Because the symptoms of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are myriad, they can be difficult to identify.  But once you or your doctor suspect that your thyroid is the source of your health troubles, both conditions are easily diagnosed with a simple blood test[iii].

How Does Selenium Support the Thyroid?

Selenium is a mineral that is essential to our nutrition and can be found in many foods (or taken in tablet form as a dietary supplement).  Selenium is mostly stored in our skeletal muscles; it helps our bodies defend against cancer, boosts immunity and fertility, improves cardiovascular health, and also helps regulate our thyroid function[iv].

Multiple studies, like this one done at the Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra in Portugal in 2016[v], have confirmed selenium’s role in maintaining thyroid function.  Our thyroids actually contain more selenium by weight than any other organ in our body.  All of that selenium acts as a component of the enzyme that helps to remove iodine molecules from the hormone T4, which is biologically inactive in the body; this converts that hormone into T3, which is biologically active and can be used for the body’s various metabolic processes.  Without any selenium, we would not be capable of converting T4 into T3 on our own.  That can very swiftly lead to major health problems, including hypothyroidism or conditions like Hashimoto’s Disease[vi].

It is prudent to note that it is possible to consume too much selenium, so it is not advisable to seek out selenium dietary supplements until you first consult your doctor.  High levels of selenium (anything above 400 micrograms, or mcg, per day) can lead to symptoms such as irritability, bad breath, digestive upset, brittle hair/ nails, discolored teeth, and even occasionally nervous system problems.  Extremely high levels of selenium can produce more severe problems such as respiratory difficulty and kidney or heart failure.  However, the level of selenium required to be at risk for those outcomes is exceptionally high and would require an excessive consumption of the mineral over a period of some time[vii].

Ordinarily, we can consume adequate levels of selenium (around 55 mcg per day for adults) with a diet that has a good balance of natural proteins (seafood, meat/poultry, eggs, dairy, etc.) and grains.  People who suffer from Celiac Disease/ gluten intolerance, or who stick to a vegetarian or vegan diet, may require additional selenium supplements to replace these other natural sources of the mineral.

Whether you’re perfectly healthy or suffering from a condition like hyper- or hypothyroidism, it is essential to make sure that you are consistently getting good levels of selenium into your body so that your thyroid can keep doing its job.  Luckily, that is relatively easy most of the time, and is easily accomplished with a well-balanced diet.  If you have any concerns about your thyroid function or your ability to get enough selenium on a regular basis, consult your doctor right away.  And of course, never begin a supplement or medication regimen without talking to your doctor first.

[i] https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/about-hypothyroidism

[ii] https://www.thyroid.org/hyperthyroidism/

[iii] https://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/

[iv] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/

[v] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ije/2017/1297658/

[vi] http://www.lifeextension.com/protocols/metabolic-health/thyroid-regulation/Page-08

[vii] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-Consumer/

Hyperthyroidism and Acne: Finding the Right Cure For Acne

Posted on by Thyroid Information

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces a very low level of thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormone helps influence the growth, development, and metabolism of the body.

Deficiency in the hormone levels impacts different parts of the body adversely. This elicits various symptoms in the body, including weight gain, depression, dry or scaly skin, muscle cramps, brittle nails and hair, tiredness, and more.

Of the various changes that occur in hypothyroidism, the exacerbation of acne is a significant factor. While hypothyroidism is connected with various conditions, such as heart disease and lipid disorders; in this post, we will see about the adverse effects the condition has on the skin, particularly its role in acne formation.

Hypothyroidism Induced Skin Changes

Changes in the skin, including dryness and thickening of the skin in knees and elbow region, occur commonly. Hair loss and discoloration of soles and palms due to increased carotene accumulation are also seen in hypothyroidism.

In some cases, premenstrual acne is increased in intensity in female adults with hypothyroidism. A study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology evaluated the relation of thyroid condition with the presence of acne in adults, especially women. The readings were compared with healthy individuals as controls.

The study result indicates that acne in adults can be related to thyroid autoimmunity and should be considered when screening the women who have post-adolescent acne.  Acne is one of the conditions that are very difficult to treat. This is due to the diverse range of causes that trigger it.

Acne and Its Treatment

Acne is often treated with over the counter medications including creams and lotions, which most often are not effective. This is especially true if the underlying cause of acne is not treated.

In fact, acne is a skin condition that is triggered by some functional disorder in the body and not due to the changes in the skin directly. Hence, the creams and lotions are not a good solution.

Hyperthyroidism and Acne

Hormonal imbalance has been cited as one of the significant causes of acne. Imbalance in androgen hormone is a common cause of acne in older women. Another less known but significant factor in acne production is the imbalance in thyroid hormone. Acne due to thyroid disturbances is more complicated to treat as the condition does not resolve easily.

To resolve an outbreak of acne, you need to first identify whether the hormonal imbalance is triggering the acne outbreak. When hormones are causing the condition you will not find relief with creams, gels, lotions, and other acne skin care brands available.

In case of imbalance in progesterone and estrogen levels, the acne breakouts occur near the hairline and jawline and the skin is very oily. Contraceptives are, thus, considered as a good treatment choice for such acne.

However, the hormonal condition may be caused by hypothyroidism. This is often overlooked leading to improper treatment of acne.  The Journal of European Medicine in a 2009 review has cited that nearly 5% of acne vulgaris and 3.6% of acne rosacea are skin findings associated with thyroid conditions.

The study reports that majority of symptoms found in thyroid conditions are related to the skin and include urticaria, alopecia, and vitiligo besides acne. Hence, treating thyroid hormone deficiency with contraceptives is not a solution to resolve acne. Moreover, hypothyroidism is related to several hormonal imbalances, which can lead to acne formation.

​Some of the causes of hypothyroidism include:

  • Low level of progesterone resulting in high estrogen dominance.
  • Affects the level of insulin, resulting in higher testosterone levels, which cause oily skin and acne.
  • Further, vitamin A formation from beta-carotenoids found in foods like pumpkins, carrots, etc. occurs due to hypothyroidism. This can result in rough and scaly skin that is prone to comedones, resulting in acne formation.

When acne is triggered by the above conditions, it can be treated properly by dealing with hypothyroidism, instead of using other treatment forms. Using thyroid hormone or improving the function of the thyroid gland naturally will help provide relief from the acne condition.

​How to Identify Thyroid Dependent Acne

Cystic acne is the typical acne form found in hypothyroidism and it shows a definite improvement in the thyroid hormone addition. Further, in general, the acne in hypothyroidism is not related to menstrual cycle. And, when it is associated with other hypothyroidism symptoms, including fatigue and brittle or dry hair and nails, it can be identified easily.

Other than directly being responsible for acne, hypothyroidism is also indirectly related to acne outbreaks. It causes disturbances in the digestive tract and hormonal levels leading to acne formation. In such cases, acne is seen all over the skin and not restricted to the face alone.

When you identify the root cause of the acne outbreak, you will be able to find a lasting solution to the terrible and frustrating acne issue. Other than wreaking havoc on your physical appearance, it can also affect you mentally. Low self-esteem and depression can occur with untreated acne. With hypothyroidism, balancing the thyroid hormone is an effective remedy for the skin lesions that accompany the condition. This includes healing the acne effectively.

How Effective Are the Common Thyroid Treatments – Synthroid, Cytomel, and Armour Thyroid

Posted on by Thyroid Information

Over 200 million individuals worldwide suffer from some type of thyroid condition. While thyroid conditions are treatable in a majority of cases, leaving them untreated can result in serious consequences to your health.

When you understand the disorders and treatment options, it helps you to cope better with the condition.

While there are different sets of symptoms related to hyper and hypothyroidism, all of them do not occur in a patient with the condition. Patients with thyroid conditions are frequently anxious or irritable due to the symptoms, which eventually subside with the right treatment.

Hypothyroidism is the most common condition, which is treated using different methods.

We will examine the efficacy of various thyroid treatment options in this post.

Various thyroid treatment options

The use of synthetic hormones, such as Synthroid or Levothyroxine, which have a high concentration of T4 hormone, is the staple treatment option in conventional treatment.

While the synthetic hormonal replacement helped to control the symptoms of hypothyroidism, they are often considered unnecessary in borderline thyroid conditions.

In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2014, it has been indicated that the use of synthetic hormones resulted in suppressed levels of thyrotropin resulting in greater harm than benefit to the patients. The retrospective study included data related to the level of thyrotropin for a span of 5 years from the time of initiation of levothyroxine therapy in patients with hypothyroidism.

The study results show that synthetic hormones, like Synthroid, are indicated only when the hypothyroid symptoms are clear and indicate the presence of autoantibodies, and in individuals with heart failure or cardiovascular disease (atherosclerotic) evidence.

The continual use of the synthetic hormones can cause increased osteoporosis risk and also the risk of forming atrial fibrillation.

Using Natural Thyroid Extracts

Due to the obvious side effects of synthetic hormone use, the use of natural alternative, like Armour thyroid, came into practice. Armour Thyroid, which has both T3 and T4, is considered superior to the synthetic preparations, like Synthroid, as it is not associated with the risk factors like osteoporosis.

However, it comes with the risk of thyrotoxicosis in case of improper dosage of the extract in relation to serum TSH levels.

This is of particular concern in case of thyroid cancer condition where the extract is used.

However, when compared to Synthroid medications Armour thyroid showed better patient compliance in a study published in the JCEM (The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism) in 2013.

This is due to two main reasons. The symptoms of the condition were relieved better and also the patients lost weight during the treatment.

Thus, about half of the patients studied (about 48.6%) indicated a preference for Armour Thyroid over Synthroid medications.

The study indicates that although improvement of the condition was the same with the two medications, the above cited reasons resulted in the desiccated or Armour thyroid therapy being a more preferred choice.

Use of synthetic L T3

L T3 is available as Cytomel in the United States. It is used for the advantage it offers in bypassing the conversion of T4-T3 stage.

The use of Cytomel is also indicated in case of patients who do not find Armour thyroid effective.

But Cytomel cannot be used on its own as pure L-T3 does not allow the production of tissue and time-specific T3. You need to use T3 in combination with T4 to get the desired effect on symptoms. Multiple dosages are also required for sustaining the T3 levels in the body as it has a shorter duration of action when compared to the L T4 medications.

Further, Cytomel is not indicated in patients with conditions, such as congestive heart failure and other cardiopulmonary diseases of acute nature. This is because the low T3 levels slow down the metabolism, which is actually beneficial. But in case of hyperthyroid conditions without accompanying cardiac conditions, this is not an issue.

Recommended therapy choice

While the alternative choices are preferred by a section of the population, a comprehensive study recommends the use of levothyroxine preparation as the ideal choice. This is because of its efficient resolution of hypothyroidism symptoms, less number of side effects, easy and inexpensive dosage, and better absorption.

The American Thyroid Association study involved asking patients on the drug treatment 24 questions on the effect, response, and efficacy of Levothyroxine. The study concluded that the synthetic form is recommended as the standard for the treatment of hypothyroidism as the product had improved health benefits in the patients studied during the clinical review.

Final thoughts

When the various pros and cons of the different forms of treatment options available are reviewed, it is clear that no single form has a superior resolving capacity than the rest. Each format has a specific drawback that makes it unsuitable for common use.

However, Levothyroxine therapy has been used for a long time as the main treatment option and has shown good results until now. Further, with the study done by American Thyroid Association supporting the use of Levothyroxine over other alternative forms, it is clear that Synthroid and other similar Levothyroxine forms offer better relief and patient response. Armour thyroid may be considered if you exhibit specific undesirable side effects on using Levothyroxine therapy.

The Relationship Between Blood Pressure and the Thyroid

Posted on by Thyroid Information

The Relationship Between Blood Pressure and Thyroid

The dangers of high blood pressure are well-known yet this condition can often go undetected due to a lack of symptoms. High blood pressure, or hypertension, isn’t always a standalone health concern either. Secondary hypertension is fairly common and can occur as symptom alongside many health conditions, such as thyroid disorders.

Thyroid disorders are surprisingly common yet often go undiagnosed. The reason for this is not clear, but could be a combination of people not knowing common symptoms of thyroid disorders and doctors not testing for these issues often enough. Without treatment a thyroid disorder will only worsen over time, and if combined with hypertension can lead to severe health problems.

Thankfully more studies are being done on the link between hypertension and the thyroid, as the connection between the two was fairly unknown until recently. Early recognition of an ill thyroid gland and sudden high blood pressure is important for faster patient recovery.

Which Thyroid Disorders are Associated with Hypertension?

When hypertension is present in a patient with a thyroid abnormality it is often the thyroid gland that started this problem.

There are three types of thyroid conditions associated with secondary hypertension:

  • Hypothyroidism – Too little thyroid hormone being produced
  • Hyperthyroidism – Too much thyroid hormone being produced
  • Hyperparathyroidism – Overactive parathyroid glands

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder, affecting roughly 20 million Americans. It was once believed that an underactive thyroid gland would actually cause low blood pressure but studies have shown otherwise. Hypertension occurs in those with hypothyroidism because of how the thyroid hormones affects blood vessel and arterial constriction. Healthy thyroid hormones levels have an important dilating effect on the vascular system. When this hormone is suddenly not being produced at adequate levels, blood pressure rises because of vasoconstriction.

Hyperthyroidism is more rare, with only about 2.5 million Americans believed to have this disorder. While cases of hypertension are greater in patients with hypothyroidism, this is due to a much higher number of people having this disorder. When it comes to hyperthyroidism patients are actually more likely to develop secondary hypertension. A spike in too much of the thyroid hormone can lead to increased blood pressure. Interestingly, hyperthyroidism is more likely to cause isolated systolic hypertension. Those with this type of hypertension will notice that only the top number in their blood pressure reading spikes.

Hyperparathyroidism is more rare than the two main thyroid disorders but still has a correlation to hypertension. The parathyroid glands are actually four very small glands located on the back of the thyroid gland. These tiny but powerful glands produce the parathyroid hormone which controls calcium in the blood. Hyperparathyroidism occurs when these glands malfunction and allow too much calcium into the bloodstream. Too much calcium leads to higher blood pressure, which will develop into a disorder when it happens consistently.

Determining if you have a thyroid disorder can be done through a blood test. While you can get an idea of whether you might have hypo or hyperthyroidism by comparing common symptoms, the only way to know for sure is with lab work. It is a good idea for those that are more apt to developing thyroid conditions to regularly check in with their doctor so a potential gland issues will be caught more quickly. This includes those with a family history of thyroid disorders, overweight or obese people, and women who have entered menopause.

What is Secondary Hypertension?

Secondary hypertension is less common than primary hypertension and the most common high blood pressure disorder associated with the thyroid. Secondary hypertension is simply high blood pressure that is a symptom of another health issue. This type of hypertension is fortunately more easily identified and treated compared to more complex primary hypertension.

Hypertension of either type can lead to serious health consequences, made even more dangerous since secondary hypertension can show few symptoms. Some common signs of high blood pressure being secondary hypertension include:

  • Resistance to high blood pressure medication
  • Unusually high blood pressure
  • High blood pressure medication gradually losing its effect
  • Rapid development of hypertension

Unlike primary hypertension, those with secondary hypertension may have no history of high blood pressure and could otherwise be fit or at a health weight. Essentially secondary hypertension cause occur even when a patient’s lifestyle wouldn’t normally prompt a blood pressure issue.

It can be argued that secondary hypertension can be more of an issue than primary. The reason for this is that the hypertension will not only worsen the original health problem, but it also can cause it’s own negative side-effects. This can make treatment more difficult. Left untreated secondary hypertension can cause:

  • Atherosclerosis (hardening and thickening of the arteries)
  • Aneurysms
  • Kidney Damage
  • Loss of Vision
  • Heart Failure

Untreated hypertension can also induce further metabolic disorders which weakens the body, increasing the chances of serious health problems like diabetes. Even if the hypertension hasn’t yet reached a threatening high, consistent hypertension will begin to affect your daily life by harming memory and brain function. The risks of heart disease and even stroke make secondary hypertension just as serious as primary.

Treating secondary hypertension will often not only control the high blood pressure concern, but aid in alleviating the underlying disorder that originally caused it to happen. If a thyroid disorder is the cause of your high blood pressure, you won’t be able to completely solve this problem unless both issues are treated. In some cases just getting on medication for the thyroid will bring blood pressure back down to a healthy level without further treatment.

How are Thyroid Disorders with Secondary Hypertension Treated?

If you suspect a thyroid disorder you should schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately. As mentioned above a blood test is the only way to determine if you have a disorder. There are actually four different blood tests to determine a thyroid disorder, which include:

  • T3
  • T3RU
  • T4
  • TSH

Of these four the first test most doctors call for is the T4 or the TSH. Both tests can be used to detect either of the thyroid disorders. The T4 test will show high for hyperthyroidism and low for primary or secondary hypothyroidism. The TSH blood panel will show the opposite – low for hyperthyroidism, high for primary hypothyroidism and low for secondary hypothyroidism.

The names of these tests, such as T3 and T4, are named so after the thyroid hormone. There are two thyroid hormones present in the body, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Typically if a thyroid test comes back with abnormal or unclear results, your doctor may do another blood test for further lab work.

If you are experience hypertension and a thyroid test comes back with an abnormal result, it is likely that your high blood pressure is secondary hypertension. Treatment of secondary hypertension will differ greatly depending on your physician and the severity of your disorder.

For example, if your doctor determines that your secondary hypertension isn’t severe and it stemming from your thyroid, you may only need to be put on thyroid medication to solve both issues. On the other hand, if you doctor finds you have a severe thyroid condition and hypertension, typically both health issues will need to be tackled at once. This may include a treatment plan of both thyroid medication and high blood pressure medication.

If your doctor determines that you have hyperparathyroidism treatment will differ from hypo or hyperthyroidism. Instead of a T4 medication or other treatment your doctor may instead use hormone replacement therapy, bisphosphonates or calcimimetics. Sometimes surgery is required. Those with secondary hypertension and hyperparathyroidism may be more likely to need to go on a blood pressure medication until the hyperparathyroidism is under control.

Secondary hypertension and thyroid disorders can have dangerous effects on health when left ignored, but thankfully the average person with these issues can have both cured with medication and physician supervision. Those with a family history of hypertension should pay special attention if they suspect a thyroid issue.