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While the link between diabetes and other comorbidities such as heart disease and kidney disease is well recognized, few recognize the connection between diabetes and thyroid disorders. Some studies indicate that thyroid dysfunction may be present in as much as 31% of all diabetes patients. This coexistence of the conditions has also been observed in other studies and is not surprising as both conditions involve dysfunction of the endocrine system. However, the relationship between the conditions is rather complex and not one-sided.
While insulin resistance, type 1 and type 2 diabetes can increase your risk of developing thyroid disease, the presence of a thyroid disorder can also increase one’s risk of developing diabetes. This is why it helps to understand how the conditions affect each other.
How Thyroid Disease Affects Blood Sugar
The thyroid gland is an important organ or gland that is part of the endocrinal system. Located at the base of the neck, this butterfly-shaped organ plays a critical role in the regulation of your body’s metabolism and various other functions. Because of its impact on metabolism, thyroid dysfunction also affects blood sugar or glucose levels.
In the case of hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland, the body’s metabolic rate is raised, which means that insulin is also eliminated faster. Insulin is essential for body cells to utilize glucose as a source of energy. As a result of the reduction in insulin, blood sugar that would be utilized as a source of energy begins to accumulate.
This causes an elevation in blood sugar levels. It can increase the risk of diabetes in most individuals and can make blood sugar levels harder to control if you already suffer from diabetes. Diabetes patients who depend on insulin shots may also find that they need higher doses because of hyperthyroid disorders.
On the other hand, the condition of an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism leads to a decrease in metabolism. As a result, insulin levels can remain high for longer, resulting in higher utilization of blood sugar and a drop in blood glucose levels. This is termed as hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar. This is just as threatening as high blood sugar and can give rise to symptoms such as extreme disorientation, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.
How Diabetes Affects Thyroid Function
As mentioned above, the relationship between thyroid disease and diabetes works both ways. Just as thyroid dysfunction can increase the risk of diabetes or make diabetes symptoms harder to control, diabetes can also increase the risk of thyroid disorders. Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of thyroid disorders, with women facing a higher risk than men.
Although diabetes itself does not directly give rise to thyroid disorders, the presence of an autoimmune condition increases your risk of developing other autoimmune disorders. As a result, individuals who suffer from type-1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition, are a lot more vulnerable to autoimmune thyroid disorders. These include Graves’ disease, a form of hyperthyroidism, and Hashimoto’s disease, a form of hypothyroidism.
Staying Safe
Whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes or thyroid disease, the most effective way to lower your risk of developing the other condition is by maintaining a healthy body weight and by keeping your blood sugar or thyroid hormone levels in check. When treated with appropriate medications and supported by dietary and lifestyle changes, both thyroid disease and diabetes can be managed fairly effectively, lowering the risk of complications and comorbidities.
