Blood Pressure and Thyroid
A specific trigger for hypertension can only be found in about 10-15 percent of all hypertension cases. These are referred to as secondary hypertension. Here, high blood pressure is seen as a consequence of an underlying condition.
Such an underlying condition can be a thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid is a hormone-producing gland. It is shaped like a butterfly and located in the lower neck area just below the larynx. Its main function is the production of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and the peptide hormone calcitonin, as well as the storage of iodine, which the thyroid ultimately needs for hormone production.

In addition to hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism can also increase blood pressure in the long term. Here, there is no direct effect on the heart, but rather an effect on the vascular system. A thyroid underfunction results in fewer thyroid hormones being released into the blood. The lack of hormones causes the blood vessels to become stiffer, meaning less flexible over time, thus increasing the resistance they offer. This particularly affects the diastolic (lower) blood pressure value, which rises as a result. However, in cases of hypothyroidism, low blood pressure can also occur, as the cardiac output decreases.
When treating secondary hypertension, addressing the underlying condition is essential. Therefore, the treatment of thyroid dysfunction will be the focus here. If blood pressure cannot be sufficiently lowered as a result, tailored blood pressure medications may be used in addition.
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 is from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that supports hundreds of thousands in blood pressure monitoring every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 04/2024).
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, and has been leading the editorial team of BloodPressureDB since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably verified information.

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