People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing a thyroid disorder. In the general population, approximately 6% of people have a thyroid problem in one form or another. However, this percentage increases to more than 10% in people with diabetes.
In fact, thyroid disorders are very common in the Western world…second only to diabetes as the most common condition affecting the endocrine system.
Tea endocrine system It is a group of glands that secrete hormones that help regulate the use of nutrients by cells, that is, these glands play a central role in the proper functioning of your metabolism.
Abnormal thyroid function can have a major impact on diabetes control…untreated thyroid disorders can increase the risk of diabetic complications and can aggravate diabetes symptoms.
But thyroid problems can be easily diagnosed through simple blood tests, and effective treatment is available. Anyone with diabetes should be checked regularly for thyroid disorders.
What is the thyroid?
Tea thyroid gland It is shaped like a butterfly sitting around the windpipe in the neck between the Adam’s apple and the clavicle. It produces two hormones, T3 and T4, that set the speed of your metabolism…how fast your heart beats, how deeply you breathe, your body temperature, and how your body uses insulin are all related to the thyroid.
hyperthyroidismthat is, too many thyroid hormones are produced, insulin resistance increases, while hypothyroidismtoo little of the hormones that are produced raises cholesterol.
Hypothyroidism is much more common than hyperthyroidism.
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism greatly increase the risk of heart disease.
Symptoms of thyroid problems
Symptoms vary with age and gender, and whether you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, depression, dry hair and skin, and constipation.
With hyperthyroidism, you are likely to experience weight loss, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, muscle weakness, and diarrhea.
Both types of thyroidism, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can cause goiter, a swelling of the neck as the thyroid enlarges.
Many of the symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. For example, one symptom of a thyroid problem is cold feet. But someone with type 2 diabetes can easily mistake this symptom for diabetic neuropathy.
Tests for thyroid problems
Because you can’t really tell from symptoms alone if you have a thyroid problem, you should have your thyroid checked regularly through blood tests. This is usually done by testing your blood for TSH, the thyroid-stimulating hormone.
TSH is the hormone the pituitary gland uses to signal the thyroid to go to work. If thyroid function is low, the TSH level in the blood will be high, indicating that the thyroid should produce more thyroid hormones. If the thyroid is overactive, TSH will be low, trying to slow it down.
A TSH level between 0.4 and 4.0 mU/L (milliunits per liter) is considered normal. But some people can have significantly low thyroid function with a TSH of 2.0 to 4.0 mU/L. Levels in this range may already be raising your lipids to harmful levels and possibly your glucose. In some European countries, patients with TSH above 2.0 mU/L may receive thyroid medication.
How to manage thyroid problems
There are three things you need to do to control thyroid problems… have regular tests… take prescribed medications and… follow a diet that does not damage the thyroid.
Tests…according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), anyone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be checked for thyroid disorders and then every five years thereafter. People with type 1 diabetes should be screened every year. It’s also a good idea to get tested any time you have unexplained changes in your glucose levels.
Medicine… hypothyroidism can be treated with levothyroxine, a synthetic version of T4, the main thyroid hormone, which is produced and released by the thyroid gland. However, you have to try it at different doses to find the best dose for you, which can take several months.
But levothyroxine doesn’t work for everyone. However, there are other medications, such as liothyronine, that can be used instead.
Keep in mind that it is important to take your thyroid pills at the same time every day.
There are also medical and surgical treatments for hyperthyroidism.
Diet…eating the right foods makes all the difference.
Iodine It is the most important nutrient for the thyroid. It is added to most commercially sold salt in Europe and North America. If you use other, more specialized salts or no salt at all, you may need to take in more iodine. Sea vegetables (algae) and marine animals are the best sources.
Medicines, diet and exercise.
The most common form of thyroid problems is hypothyroidism, that is, a sluggish thyroid that is underperforming.
In order for your thyroid to work at full speed, you must:
Medicine… take the correct amount of medication as directed by your doctor. Do not skip a dose and take it at the same time of day. Taking it at different times during the day can prevent it from working as it should. Since you will probably have to take it for the rest of your life, make it part of your established daily routine.
Take your thyroid medication on an empty stomach. Food can decrease its absorption, especially foods high in fiber. High-fiber foods are good for you, so don’t skip eating them…just eat them several hours before or after you take your thyroid medications.
Avoid taking calcium supplements or supplements containing iron (such as a multivitamin) along with your thyroid medication, as these can also block the absorption of the medication.
meal… cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage can affect thyroid hormone production. These are very healthy foods, so you should continue to eat them…but don’t eat them at the same time you take your medicine. Cooking these vegetables seems to lessen this effect.
go easy with soy foods… soy contains genistein, that can decrease thyroid hormone production… and while you should still eat them, limit them to a few times a week.
Eat foods that increase thyroid hormone production. These foods contain nutrients such as B vitamins, selenium, zinc, tyrosine, and iodine. Poultry, shellfish, lean meat, whole grains, onions, beans, almonds, avocados, seeds, and low-fat dairy may help.
Avoid or limit fatty and sugary foods…just like you do to manage your diabetes.
Watch your portion sizes. Not overeating seems like a no-brainer. If you need to lose weight, reduce the amount you eat.
An iron deficiency is one of the causes of hypothyroidism. Ask your doctor to check your iron levels if you have hypothyroidism.
Do not take dietary supplements, such as iodine supplements, intended to treat thyroid problems without first consulting your doctor. Also, don’t stop taking your thyroid medication in the hope of “treating” hypothyroidism with diet alone.
working out… it is not necessary to solve your thyroidism (or your diabetes) but it helps the process. Staying in shape with a daily exercise routine will boost your efforts… it will also make you feel better.