{"id":633122,"date":"2025-08-07T17:06:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T21:06:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633122"},"modified":"2025-10-15T15:19:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T19:19:59","slug":"best-statin-for-hypothyroidism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/best-statin-for-hypothyroidism\/","title":{"rendered":"Best statin for hypothyroidism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Statins like Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Crestor (rosuvastatin) are some of the <\/span>most commonly prescribed medications<\/span><\/a> in the United States\u2014and that\u2019s because they\u2019re highly effective for lowering cholesterol levels. Hypothyroidism often causes high cholesterol, so it\u2019s not surprising that people who have it often end up also taking a statin prescription. That said, while statins are great for controlling cholesterol levels, they also come with some special considerations for people with hypothyroidism. Here are all the important details.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How do statins affect people with hypothyroidism?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Statins work the same way in the body whether or not you have hypothyroidism. They decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) by blocking a certain liver enzyme that synthesizes it. These medications can also help the liver eliminate more of the body\u2019s LDL cholesterol, reducing the amount that builds up in the blood vessels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In most cases, healthcare providers <\/span>recommend stabilizing the thyroid hormones<\/span><\/a> before beginning statin treatment. <\/span>Research shows<\/span><\/a> a connection between thyroid hormones and the production and clearance of cholesterol, so people who have hypothyroidism will also retain more LDL. Having hypothyroidism is like driving a car stuck in first gear, only going 15 miles per hour. Your whole system\u2014like your engine\u2014is running too slowly. Because your “metabolic engine” is sluggish, your body doesn’t clear out cholesterol as efficiently. Just like how a slow-moving car burns fuel poorly and gets clogged, your body starts to build up more cholesterol in the bloodstream.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBefore I even think about prescribing a statin, I usually want to get the thyroid issue treated and recheck their lipids,\u201d says <\/span>Michael Genovese<\/span><\/a>, MD, chief medical adviser at <\/span>Ascendant New York<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIn some cases, once the thyroid is stable, the cholesterol levels improve, and we may not need a statin at all.\u201d So, correcting that hormone imbalance might solve the problem without the need for statins. However, <\/span>a study from 2021<\/span><\/a> also found that statins can improve thyroid function independently of their effects on cholesterol levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, hypothyroidism might also be a risk factor for statin intolerance. <\/span>A 2014 study<\/span><\/a> reported that statin-intolerant people were more likely to have a history of hypothyroidism than statin-tolerant people. Statin intolerance could make someone more susceptible to symptoms like muscle pain or weakness, gastrointestinal side effects, headaches, and sexual dysfunction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is why healthcare providers will typically monitor patients taking statins for hypothyroidism, and why it\u2019s important to report any changes to your health right away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pravachol (pravastatin)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Hypothyroidism can increase the risk of statin-induced muscle pain (myalgia), but Pravachol has a <\/span>lower risk of myalgia than other statins<\/span><\/a>, making it a good option for people with thyroid issues. Plus, unlike other statins, Pravachol isn\u2019t metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme, which means it <\/span>causes fewer drug interactions<\/span><\/a>. The only drawback is that Pravachol is a <\/span>lower intensity statin<\/span><\/a>, so it might not lower LDL levels to the goal range.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Crestor (rosuvastatin)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Studies show<\/span><\/a> that Crestor is associated with 50%\u201355% of LDL-C reduction, making it a highly effective option. So lower doses might do the trick, reducing the potential for side effects. But it\u2019s also a high-intensity option, so certain side effects are still possible, especially at higher doses. Still, it\u2019s a popular choice for its reliability and effectiveness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lipitor (atorvastatin)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lipitor is one of the more common statins in general, and like Crestor, it\u2019s a moderate-to-high intensity statin, making it better for people who need significant LDL reductions to reach their goal LDL range. It has a greater risk of myalgia than Pravachol, but that risk can be less than Crestor\u2019s for some people. <\/span>One study from 2023<\/span><\/a> found that atorvastatin and rosuvastatin had similar efficacy. Rosuvastatin was associated with slightly lower LDL levels, but atorvastatin had a lower risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lescol (fluvastatin)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lescol has some of the same advantages as Pravachol for people with hypothyroidism. It\u2019s a moderate-intensity statin, so it has a lower risk of side effects. It also has fewer drug interactions. The downside is that it might not reduce LDL-C levels as much as Lipitor or Crestor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Statins comparison chart<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Name<\/b><\/td>\nPros<\/b><\/td>\nCons<\/b><\/td>\nCost*<\/b><\/td>\nSavings<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pravachol (pravastatin)<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Lower risk of myalgia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Fewer drug interactions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Low intensity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$17 for 90, 40 mg tablets<\/a> of generic pravastatin<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crestor (rosuvastatin)<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • High intensity<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lower risk of myalgia<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Potential drug interactions<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Risk of new-onset diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$8 for 30, 10 mg tablets of generic rosuvastatin<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lipitor (atorvastatin)<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Moderate-to-high intensity<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lower risk of elevated blood sugar<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Greater risk of myalgia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • More drug interactions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$8 for 30, 40 mg tablets of generic atorvastatin<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lescol (fluvastatin)<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Lower risk of side effects<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Fewer drug interactions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Low intensity<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
$45 for 30, 20 mg tablets of generic fluvastatin<\/span><\/td>\nGet coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
*Average cost at time of publication. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy and location.\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n

Side effects of statins in people with hypothyroidism<\/span><\/h2>\n

Side effects<\/span><\/a> are a possibility for anyone taking statins, although not everyone will experience them, and some might be tolerable. Some of the most common include:<\/span><\/p>\n