Having diabetes and thyroid problems together is not unusual. In actuality, thyroid illness is more likely to develop if you have insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or both.

Conversely, thyroid disorders raise the risk of type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. If you are overweight or obese, the correlation is considerably stronger.

The way your body reacts to insulin can be changed by abnormal thyroid function. Low blood sugar levels may potentially be caused by an underactive thyroid.

This article explains the connection between thyroid and diabetes illness. Additionally, it provides information on how to prevent diabetes in people with thyroid problems and vice versa.

What Is Thyroid Disease?

Any issue that affects your thyroid gland’s ability to function and generate the appropriate amount of hormones is referred to as thyroid disease. The little, butterfly-shaped gland near the nape of your neck is called the thyroid. The hormones the thyroid produces significantly influence your metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature.

The most prevalent types of thyroid disorders are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

The thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone in hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of this disorder, which is often referred to as an overactive thyroid, include anxiety, insomnia, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and inadvertent weight loss.

The thyroid produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism. This disorder, which is sometimes referred to as an underactive thyroid, manifests as sadness, fatigue, weight gain, and muscle weakness.

Medications that control the production of thyroid hormones are commonly used to treat thyroid disorders. In certain cases, you might also have surgery to remove your thyroid or be prescribed beta-adrenergic blockers to lessen your symptoms.

Thyroid and Diabetes

The Thyroid and Blood Sugar  

Hormones produced by the thyroid control a person’s metabolism. Blood sugar can be impacted by these hormone imbalances in a number of ways.

A metabolic process known as lipolysis, which breaks down body fat into serum-free fatty acids and causes the release of insulin and glucagon, is accelerated by excess thyroid hormone. When these effects are combined, glucose metabolism deteriorates, which can lead to diabetes and glucose intolerance.

When a person has hypoglycemia, a condition in which their blood sugar levels are too low, the pancreas releases the hormone glucagon. Once blood sugar levels are within a healthy range, the body stops releasing glucagon.

Thyroid Disease and Insulin

Insulin synthesis may also be hampered by thyroid conditions. Cells can use glucose as fuel when insulin is present. Blood sugar is lowered as a result.

Insulin resistance can be exacerbated by hyperthyroidism. Your cells are unable to use the glucose in your blood when you develop insulin resistance. Blood glucose levels remain elevated as a result. Individuals with diabetes who require insulin injections can also require larger dosages.

Conversely, an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, lowers metabolism. Insulin may remain after this, resulting in hypoglycemia and a dip in blood sugar. The decline can occasionally be severe for diabetics on medication, resulting in lightheadedness, confusion, and coma.

What are the Other Connections? Thyroid Disorders and Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune condition. This implies that your immune system will target the cells that make insulin if you have type 1 diabetes.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease are two examples of thyroid conditions that are also autoimmune. Your chance of developing further illnesses rises if you currently have an autoimmune disease that is impairing your immune system. 

Thyroid conditions and/or diabetes can also result from issues with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The pituitary, adrenal glands and brain’s hypothalamus make up the HPA axis. These organs work together to control cortisol, which is a stress hormone.

Your body could produce too much or too little cortisol if any of the organs that comprise the HPA axis are impacted. High blood sugar can result from too much cortisol, and low blood sugar can result from too little cortisol. All of your other hormones, including insulin and thyroid hormone, can go out of balance when your cortisol levels are out of equilibrium.

Prevention and Management

In many situations, diabetes and thyroid conditions may not be preventable.

There is now no surefire method to stop the onset of an autoimmune illness. On the other hand, illnesses without genetic etiology might be prevented or their development postponed.

Preventing and Managing Diabetes

A person can make a diabetes self-care plan to help manage their condition, which could include:

• Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control, avoiding or stopping smoking, adhering to a diabetes diet, and maintaining A1C objectives
• Exercise frequently, take insulin or other medications, monitor blood sugar levels frequently, and collaborate closely with a skilled medical team

When to Contact a Doctor  

To obtain a diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment, anyone who believes they may have diabetes or thyroid problems should get in touch with a physician.

Typical signs of diabetes include:

• weariness from frequent urinating
• heightened hunger and thirst

Hypothyroidism symptoms can include fatigue, coldness, and dry skin.

With hyperthyroidism, a person may experience the following:

• Anger
• sweating and skin thinning

People who already have diabetes or thyroid disease and think they may also have the other ailment should also get in touch with a doctor.

Summary

Thyroid illness and diabetes are closely related. Your blood sugar may rise and your insulin levels may decrease if you have hyperthyroidism, which raises your chance of developing diabetes. The opposite can happen if you have hypothyroidism, which can result in episodes of low blood sugar.

Conversely, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, which are autoimmune types of thyroid disease, can be made more likely by type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune form of diabetes. Insulin and thyroid hormone levels may also be negatively impacted by issues with the HPA axis, a collection of organs that generate the stress hormone cortisol.

Maintaining a healthy weight and effectively controlling your diabetes or thyroid illness may lower your chance of getting the other ailment.

For personalized care and deeper insights into managing diabetes, consider booking an appointment with our specialist. Your health deserves the best attention.

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