Blood Pressure and Thyroid
A specific cause of high blood pressure can only be found in about 1015 percent of all hypertension cases. These are called secondary hypertension. In these cases, high blood pressure is seen as a consequence of an underlying disease.
One such underlying condition can be a thyroid disorder. The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland. It sits like a butterfly in the lower neck just below the voice box. Its main job is to make the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and the peptide hormone calcitonin, and to store iodine, which the thyroid needs to produce these hormones.
In addition to an overactive thyroid, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can also increase blood pressure over the long term. This is not due to a direct effect on the heart but to effects on the blood vessels. When the thyroid is underactive, fewer thyroid hormones are released into the blood. Over time, the hormone deficiency makes the blood vessels stiffer less flexible which increases the resistance they offer. That mainly affects the diastolic (lower) blood pressure, causing it to rise. However, hypothyroidism can also cause low blood pressure in some cases because cardiac output is reduced.
Treating the underlying condition is essential when managing secondary hypertension. In this case, treatment will focus on correcting the thyroid dysfunction. If blood pressure does not fall enough after that, additional blood-pressure medications tailored to the situation may be used.
Sources:
- https://www.aponet.de/service/nai/2011/8b/schilddruese-setzt-blutgefaesse-unter-druck.html
- https://www.deutsches-schilddruesenzentrum.de/wissenswertes/schilddruesenerkrankungen/schilddruesenueberfunktion/
- https://www.springermedizin.de/schilddruese-und-blutdruck/8040652
- https://www.kup.at/kup/pdf/4314.pdf
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schilddrüse
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based information and is continuously updated (as of 01/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
