The thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones essential for regulating metabolism. The liver detoxifies the body and removes toxins from the blood. The two organs work together to maintain optimal health.
The thyroid gland and liver are located in the upper part of the body, near the neck. The thyroid gland is located just below the larynx and over the windpipe. The liver is located just below the right lung in the upper right quadrant of the belly.
The thyroid gland produces three main hormones: thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, which affects nearly every function in the body, including heart rate, cholesterol levels, fertility, and body temperature. The liver filters toxins from the blood and breaks down fats to be used for energy or stored.
Clinical conditions such as thyroid disease or liver disease can alter the normal function of these two critical organs and put a strain on them to perform their tasks efficiently. Although they are separate organ systems, if both imbalances co-occur, they can be symptomatic of a more serious medical condition and should be investigated by a health care provider.
There is a strong link between alcohol and thyroid problems. According to a study published in the “Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”, people with thyroid problems are more likely to develop alcohol-related problems. The study also found that people with thyroid problems who drink alcohol are more likely to have more severe symptoms.
Common Conditions that Affect Both Liver and Thyroid Function
Liver disease
If toxins are not appropriately eliminated from the blood because of liver damage or if the liver cannot break down fats for energy due to cirrhosis or hepatitis, this will stress the thyroid gland, which regulates body metabolism.
Also, suppose less bile is released from the gallbladder due to blockage caused by gallstones. In that case, fat cannot be broken down into smaller particles for energy and will accumulate in the bloodstream as fats travel through to other organs, including the thyroid gland’s tissues.
This makes it difficult for the thyroid gland to produce hormones, resulting in an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.
Thyroid disease
Hashimoto’s disease is the most common type of autoimmune thyroid disorder. In Hashimoto’s disease, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, which can cause it to become inflamed and underactive.
People with Hashimoto’s disease are also at a higher risk for developing other autoimmune diseases, such as liver cirrhosis.
Both conditions should be monitored closely by a health care provider if they are present, as one imbalance can often exacerbate the symptoms of the other. Treatment plans should be tailored to address the specific needs of each individual to help restore balance and improve overall health.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
Suppose you are experiencing any of the following symptoms. In that case, it is essential to consult with a health care provider to determine if there is an underlying issue with your thyroid or liver function:
– Difficulty losing weight, even when eating healthy and exercising
– Feeling tired and sluggish, even after getting plenty of sleep
– Racing heartbeat or shortness of breath
– Swelling in the neck or face
– Brittle nails or hair loss
– Itching, especially around the eyes and nose
– Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
– Nausea or vomiting
– Pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen (where the liver is located)
– Swelling in the legs or weight gain
– Dry, coarse skin
– Dark urine and pale stools
– Abdominal swelling
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your liver or thyroid is to blame. If they persist for more than a few weeks, though, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your health care provider.
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Can Thyroid Problems Lead to Liver Damage?
You may have heard that the liver is your body’s recycling center. But did you know that this busy organ has many other functions as well? Among them are disposing of waste, processing nutrients, and producing substances necessary for digestion.
Your liver also plays a crucial role in the breakdown of hormones after they have performed their jobs. This helps explain why problems with one gland can affect the activity of another gland—and even trigger symptoms elsewhere in the body.
The thyroid gland is an example of how this works. So if your thyroid isn’t functioning correctly, it will affect not only how you feel but your entire metabolism.
The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that regulate your body’s metabolism. When these hormones are in short supply, the body slows down, and weight gain becomes more challenging to achieve.
Other symptoms of a malfunctioning thyroid can include feeling tired, depressed, or having difficulty concentrating. Many people with thyroid problems also experience changes in their menstrual cycles.
The Liver and Thyroid Relationship
So what does all this have to do with the liver? The liver helps break down the hormones produced by the thyroid gland. When it isn’t functioning properly, these hormones can build up and cause damage to other organs, including the liver.
One of the main ways that doctors diagnose problems with the thyroid gland is by looking for signs of damage to the liver.
Treatment for thyroid problems usually involves taking medications that replace or supplement the missing hormones. If you are diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, be sure to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you are experiencing, such as changes in your liver function. Together, you can work out a treatment plan that will help get your health back on track.
Can thyroid problems lead to liver damage? The answer is yes. The liver helps break down the hormones produced by the thyroid gland. When it isn’t functioning properly, these hormones can build up and cause damage to other organs, including the liver. One of the main ways that doctors diagnose problems with the thyroid gland is by looking for signs of damage to the liver.
Treatment for thyroid problems usually involves taking medications that replace or supplement the missing hormones. If you are diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, be sure to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you are experiencing, such as changes in your liver function. Together, you can work out a treatment plan that will help get your health back on track.
Thyroid Disfunction and Fatty Liver Disease
A study published in the journal Hepatology looked at thyroid dysfunction and fatty liver disease. The study found that people with thyroid problems are more likely to develop fatty liver disease.
The researchers say that this is because thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism. When the thyroid isn’t functioning correctly, it can build up fat in the liver.
The study also found that treating thyroid problems can help improve liver function. If you have been diagnosed with fatty liver disease, be sure to tell your doctor about any other symptoms you are experiencing, such as changes in your thyroid function. Together, you can work out a treatment plan that will help get your health back on track.
Other Health Checks for People With Thyroid Problems
Thyroid hormone has a wide range of effects on many bodily processes, including cholesterol levels and how well you sleep. What does this mean for those who have hypothyroidism?
It’s critical to check on more than just your thyroid hormone levels. Your doctor should be monitoring a slew of crucial health signals.
Untreated hypothyroidism may lead to various additional problems, including heart issues, infertility, goiters, and sleep apnea. The precise tests your doctor may recommend depending on your unique circumstances and symptoms. A woman past the age of childbearing, for example, would not need tests to assess reproductive health.
Suppose you’re a woman who has previously been treated for hypothyroidism and is pregnant or wants to get pregnant. In that case, you should discuss with your endocrinologist or ob-gyn the best way to keep track of thyroid function throughout pregnancy to ensure a healthy birth.
After treatment, most of the health changes linked with hypothyroidism reverse. Between 8 and 12 weeks after beginning thyroid hormone therapy, many people will undertake a second round of testing. If your doctor suspects that low thyroid hormone levels cause abnormal findings from other tests, they will most likely test you again if your TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) stays normal for a few weeks.
Suppose the value of your TSH is still high after weeks or months, but your following test results are average. In that case, your doctor may carry out further investigations and propose different therapy methods.
Consider speaking with your doctor about these seven tests, most of which involve blood or urine samples, to stay on top of other aspects of your health.
Lipid Panel
The lipid panel measures the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance vital for a healthy body. It helps make up your cell membranes and essential hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. However, too much cholesterol can build up in your arteries and cause atherosclerosis, which increases your risk of heart attack or stroke. Some people have been found to have an increased concentration of LDL (bad) cholesterol without experiencing any symptoms at all.
Your doctor will check that you don’t have high levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol by performing a basic lipid profile test on a sample of your blood. The results include your total cholesterol level and your triglycerides and LDL cholesterol measurements.
Triglycerides may be classified as either high or low-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as “good” cholesterol, because it helps eliminate LDL from the body. If you have a high level of triglycerides, the doctor will monitor you for other associated risk factors, such as obesity and hypertension.
A high triglyceride level is also a sign that you may have fatty liver disease.
Liver Enzyme Exam
People who have untreated low thyroid function are at risk of developing a progressive fatty liver disease condition. This condition doesn’t cause any symptoms, but it can lead to cirrhosis over time, a potentially life-threatening disorder.
Suppose your doctor suspects that you may be suffering from this disease. In that case, they will likely check for elevated levels of enzymes in the liver after an ultrasound test has ruled out other possible causes of liver damage. One enzyme that your doctor may check for is ALT (alanine aminotransferase), which leaks into the blood when there’s extensive fat accumulation in the liver. Another common enzyme is AST (aspartate aminotransferase.
Any condition that increases the risk of developing cirrhosis, such as heavy alcohol use, viral hepatitis, or autoimmune diseases, will also increase the likelihood that you’ll have an abnormal liver enzyme exam.
Sodium Test
A sodium test measures the amount of sodium in a sample of your urine.
Sodium is an essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the body. A high sodium level in the blood can cause hypertension, increasing your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems.
If you’re diagnosed with hypertension, your doctor will likely recommend that you keep track of your sodium intake to help bring your levels back down to a healthy range. You can do this by monitoring the amount of salt in your diet and choosing low-sodium options when possible.
Creatinine Test
Creatinine is a waste product produced by the body that’s eliminated through the kidneys.
A creatinine test checks for elevated levels of creatinine in the blood. If you have low thyroid function, there’s a chance that your kidneys aren’t working as effectively as they should be. This can raise your creatinine levels and result in abnormal test results.
A creatinine level that’s higher than average can also be a sign of kidney damage.
Your doctor may order a creatinine test as part of a routine health checkup or if you’re experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, or swollen ankles and legs.
If your creatinine level is high, the doctor will likely recommend additional tests to determine the cause of the problem and help guide treatment.
The TakeAway
Your thyroid gland and liver are both essential organs in your body. While they don’t have an explicitly direct relationship, problems can often lead to issues with the other.
This is why people with low thyroid function need to get regular screenings for potential liver damage.
You can reduce your chances of developing liver problems by taking steps to keep your thyroid levels in check, such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
Ref: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1440-1746.1995.tb01106.x
