Can Ibuprofen and Aspirin Affect Your Thyroid?
Thursday January 15, 2004
When we have an ache or pain, many of us reach for a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like aspirin, or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). But is this safe for your thyroid? A study was carried out to determine the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on thyroid tests.
The NSAIDs tested were aspirin, salsalate, meclofenamate, ibuprofen, naproxen, and indomethacin. Twenty-five healthy subjects underwent a single-dose study and/or a one week study. Total and free thyroid hormones and TSH were analyzed over an eight hour period after a single dose and daily in the one week study.
Administration of ibuprofen (i.e., Advil, Motrin), naproxen, or indomethacin of either a single dose or for one week did not change the levels of any of the hormones measured. Various total and free thyroid hormone measurements were decreased by single doses of aspirin and salsalate and increased by meclofenamate.
Treatment for one week with aspirin or salsalate decreased total T4, free T4 (salsalate only), total T3, free T3, and TSH. Thus, this study confirms that aspirin, salsalate, and meclofenamate affect total and free thyroid hormone measurements.
It also demonstrated that three NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, and indomethacin) do not alter thyroid tests. During the acute (one dose) and on week administration of these NSAIDs TSH levels remained with the normal range.
Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Variable Effects of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents on Thyroid Test Results, M. H. Samuels, K. Pillote, D. Asher and J. C. Nelson, Vol. 88, No. 12 5710-5716 December, 2003
Administration of ibuprofen (i.e., Advil, Motrin), naproxen, or indomethacin of either a single dose or for one week did not change the levels of any of the hormones measured. Various total and free thyroid hormone measurements were decreased by single doses of aspirin and salsalate and increased by meclofenamate.
Treatment for one week with aspirin or salsalate decreased total T4, free T4 (salsalate only), total T3, free T3, and TSH. Thus, this study confirms that aspirin, salsalate, and meclofenamate affect total and free thyroid hormone measurements.
It also demonstrated that three NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, and indomethacin) do not alter thyroid tests. During the acute (one dose) and on week administration of these NSAIDs TSH levels remained with the normal range.
Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Variable Effects of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents on Thyroid Test Results, M. H. Samuels, K. Pillote, D. Asher and J. C. Nelson, Vol. 88, No. 12 5710-5716 December, 2003
Comments
This is very interesting information. Since being diagnosed with hashi’s a couple years ago, I wonder if persistent usage of nsaids could have been the cause or if taking anything for tooth pain (currently) could harm me or cause issues. My tsh is at 8 right now and I’m awaiting another round of tests to meet with doc to start on Armour. Tried synthroid last year and it made me manic (10mcg only) so I stopped. Wish me luck and thanks for all the articles you publish. Very timely. Wish I could say the same for most of the shameful medical community and especially out of touch and outdated endo’s.