The liver and thyroid gland: What’s the connection?

Thyroid hormones are essential for the normal growth, development, and function of body organs. These hormones regulate the basal metabolic rate of all cells, including hepatocytes. A complex interplay exists between the thyroid and the liver. Thyroid dysfunction can cause liver function test abnormalities, usually reverted by normalizing thyroid status. On the other hand, liver disorders may cause thyroid function abnormalities that may or may not need to be treated. Nevertheless, the relationship between liver and thyroid is often overlooked, and thyroid function is not commonly investigated in patients with liver diseases and vice versa.