Update on Lipid Metabolism and Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid hormone plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. It acts predominantly through its nuclear receptors (thyroid hormone receptor α and β) to regulate the gene expression related to lipid metabolism. Both overt hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism result in abnormalities of lipid profile. However, changes in serum lipid profiles in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism have been inconsistent. In recent years, thyroid receptor β1-selective analogue represents a new class of hypolipidemic compound have been developed. Some of these T3 analogues are very potent in lowering serum cholesterol and triglyceride in animal models and human clinical studies. This mini review on the mechanisms that affect lipid profile under pathological thyroid conditions, and give brief touch on thyroid analogues.