{
  "id": 192674,
  "title": "Study points to a link between hypothyroidism and sleep apnea",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/study-points-to-a-link-between-hypothyroidism-and-sleep-apnea",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-05T20:20:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-link-hypothyroidism-apnea.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent study conducted in Brazil reveals a significant connection between hypothyroidism and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Researchers from the Federal University of São Paulo analyzed data from 761 participants who underwent laboratory tests and polysomnography, which monitors various sleep parameters overnight. The study found that hypothyroidism affected over 12% of the sample, with nearly half (49.5%) also experiencing OSA.\n\nHypothyroidism, caused by insufficient thyroid hormone production, affects essential bodily functions like metabolism, body temperature, and energy expenditure. Common symptoms include fatigue, drowsiness, weight gain, and hair loss. OSA, characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep, leads to poor sleep quality, snoring, daytime sleepiness, and an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.\n\nThe researchers from UNIFESP's Department of Psychobiology believe that the thyroid and sleep are intricately linked, as both systems contribute to maintaining bodily balance. The study supports this hypothesis, showing that patients with hypothyroidism experienced more fragmented sleep, woke up more frequently, and had a higher likelihood of severe OSA. The results also suggest a possible bidirectional relationship between the two conditions, with poor sleep quality and more severe apnea linked to a higher likelihood of hypothyroidism.\n\nThe study also found that patients receiving hormone replacement therapy for thyroid dysfunction slept longer and spent more time in deep sleep, known to be crucial for physical recovery, memory consolidation, and tissue repair. This suggests that treating hypothyroidism can improve sleep quality and overall health. The researchers emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to consider the potential interaction between these conditions during patient care.",
  "summary": "According to a study conducted in Brazil by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) with participants from the São Paulo Epidemiological Sleep Study (EPISONO 2018), people with hypothyroidism experience more frequent and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The results also indicated that patients receiving hormone replacement therapy for thyroid dysfunction slept longer and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}