Is Iodine Deficiency a Risk Factor for Heart Disease?

• The lower the TSH, the lower the LDL cholesterol (lowest LDL cholesterol with TSH between 0.5-0.99 mIU/l.
• TSH in the range of 0.5-1.4 mIU/L was associated with lowest cardiovascular fatality. Even within the usually-considered-normal TSH range of 2.5-3.5 mIU/l, risk for cardiovascular fatality was 69% greater.

Like the Rotterdam Study, thyroid hormone was not administered in the HUNT Study. Nonetheless, both of the more recent studies suggest a powerful connection: Even subtle levels of hypothyroidism substantially increase risk for heart disease.

So is iodine deficiency a cardiovascular risk factor? And are you getting sufficient iodine? Will supplemental iodine reduce LDL cholesterol and risk for heart disease?

While the data are far from complete, iodine deficiency is a growing problem as Americans reduce reliance on iodized salt. And I fear that, along with declining thyroid function and goiters, cholesterols and heart attacks will be on the rise.

Yet iodine deficiency is very easy to correct. 

In future, more discussion on how to make sure you have sufficient iodine.

Dr. David explores iodine deficiency in another post - read on!