It is not surprising for a patient to have diabetes and thyroid disease simultaneously. If you have metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or type 1 & 2 diabetes, you become more susceptible to thyroid disease. Likewise, thyroid disease can result in type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. The association between thyroid and diabetes becomes more vital for an obese or overweight person. This blog will teach you the connection between diabetes & thyroid disease. We will also discuss the preventive measures for thyroid patients to avoid diabetes.
Blood sugar and thyroid disease
At the bottom of your neck, there is a butterfly-shaped organ called the thyroid gland. This gland regulates the functions of your body. In contrast, thyroid disease disrupts the metabolic process and causes blood sugar to accumulate instead of providing energy to your body. It results in diabetes, making it challenging to manage blood sugar levels if the patient already has diabetes. This is how hyperthyroidism and hyperglycemia are interlinked with each other. If thyroid results in hyperglycemia, the patient has a risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome comprises five medical conditions – large waist, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and high glucose. In addition, these medical conditions result in diabetes and cardiac diseases. Not paying immediate attention to metabolic syndrome results in type 2 diabetes.
Insulin and thyroid disease
Thyroid disease also disrupts the production of insulin. Insulin facilitates the process of cells using blood sugar for energy. But, hyperthyroidism increases the metabolism rate which causes a faster diminishing of insulin from the patient’s body. This medical condition leads to an increase in blood sugar levels and vulnerability to type 2 diabetes.
Other links between thyroid disease and diabetes
In addition to disruption in the normal functioning of insulin production and blood sugar metabolism, a few other connections between diabetes and thyroid disease are as follows:
Autoimmune disease refers to a medical condition in which a patient’s immune system cannot differentiate between pathogens and healthy cells. Type 1 diabetes is one such medical condition. Also, there are specific types of thyroid diseases, like Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, that are autoimmune. Experts suggest that patients with type-1 diabetes will most likely suffer from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Also, Graves’ disease results in hyperthyroidism.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis – Insulin and thyroid hormones are controlled by three organs that function collectively: the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland, and the hypothalamus. Commonly known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, these organs control the body’s response to stress. They manage stress levels by regulating stress hormone cortisol levels. Disruption in the functioning of the HPA axis affects the production of cortisol hormone. High cortisol production results in hyperglycemia, while low production causes hypoglycaemia.
Common symptoms of thyroid disease
Individuals having thyroid disease experience a variety of symptoms. Unfortunately, a few thyroid disease symptoms are typically similar to the symptoms of other medical conditions. This makes it difficult to differentiate between thyroid disease symptoms and other conditions. As a whole, thyroid disease symptoms are bifurcated into two categories –excess production of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or less production of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).
The following are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
Feeling nervous, irritated, and anxious
• Lack of sufficient sleep
• Loss of weight
• Enlargement of the thyroid gland
• Tremors and weakness in the muscle
• Disruption or irregularity in menstrual periods
• Becoming sensitive to heat
• Irritation in eye or vision problems
Following are the symptoms of hypothyroidism
• Feeling exhausted
• Abnormal weight gain
• Experiencing dementia
• Heavy and frequent menstrual periods
• Hair turning coarse and dry
• Voice becoming hoarse
• Inability to withstand cold temperatures
How to prevent and manage
After being diagnosed with either diabetes or thyroid disease, one of the best ways to prevent an advanced disease is to gain and maintain a proper weight. Keeping a check on thyroid hormone levels and glucose levels also works. Patients suffering from insulin resistance and thyroid disease face difficulty controlling their blood sugar levels. However, sufficient exercise along with proper diet and medications can help you avoid complications of diabetes and thyroid. Treating hyperthyroidism with exercise, diet, and medications can prevent type 2 diabetes. Also, have frequent check-ups by a healthcare provider like the best diabetes and thyroid clinic in Delhi at Triton hospital.
Conclusion
Studies suggest a connection between diabetes and thyroid disease. Disruption in the functioning of the thyroid affects a person’s blood sugar and insulin levels. This medical condition results in diabetes. Both hyper and hypothyroid conditions are expected in diabetic patients. A patient suffering from either should consult an expert without further delay. The best diabetes and thyroid clinic in Delhi at Triton hospital provides a comprehensive clinic for thyroid and diabetes. Book your appointment at the best diabetes and thyroid clinic in Delhi at Triton for proper diagnosis and treatment.
