It's confirmed.
THYROXINE RAISES BLOOD SUGAR.
I AM FURIOUS. FOR YEARS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE WEIGHT.
THEY NEVER TOLD ME THAT THYROXINE RAISES BLOOD SUGAR. THEY CAUSED MY SUGAR LEVEL TO BE RAISED. SO MORE SUGAR MORE INSULIN AND MORE FAT. IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE.
Ella - yes, it does raise blood sugar. However, if you don't have diabetes, your body's normal production of insulin counteracts it. Diabetes and hypothyroidism are often found to co-exist. To be clear, thyroxine doesn't give you diabetes - there was sonething already wrong if taking it causes your blood sugar to rise.
jazz - I would like to know why does thyroxine raise blood sugar?
I don't know what was wrong with my body but it's not only me who noticed a change towards prediabetes with thyroxine.
If it raises the blood sugar, it means it raises the insulin and increases the fat around and within the body. That's why I am overweight.
As I am taking responsibility for my own health, I'll see what will happen along the way when implementing Dr P's protocol.
From the biochemistry point of view, I am just curious what is the relationship between the insulin and thyroxine
Well, thyroid hormones regulate metabolism. The more thyroid hormones you have, the higher your metabolism works. And basically, your metabolism is based on your ability to break down nutrients. So if you put thyroid hormones into a body which previously didn't have as much as it should have had, your body will start breaking down glucose, and then fat, much more quickly, meaning your blood sugar would rise. In a person who is otherwise healthy, the body would produce just enough insulin to regulate blood sugar, so no problem. However, if you're at all insulin resistant, either because you have pre-diabetes or full blown type 2, insulin levels will remain higher than they should, promoting storage of fat.
This is of course not exactly how it works - I've missed a few steps - but hopefully enough to get the picture. I think if your blood sugar stays high when you take thyroxine, it's probably a sign that you have insulin resistance in addition to thyroid problems. Taking Liothyronine or NDT would similarly raise blood sugars if your body's insulin response is impaired.
Thyroid levels that are too high OR too low will result in insulin resistance. I would be inclined to think that if you are on a low dose of T4, that your condition would improve with the addition of some T3. Likewise, if someone is on high doses of T3 and blood sugar is rising, their condition might improve if they lowered their T3. It's all very complicated, because the endocrine system is so intertwined. There's some info here: tiredthyroid.com/blog/2012/...
Thanks for this link 😊
You're welcome. I think the problem is that few patients take a truly physiological dose. Many lack T3, others lack T4, or the ratio's just off.
But it's so difficult to get right, isn't it! My blood sugar is always pretty good so I guess I'm ok. Unfortunately I have to take t3 only as I can't tolerate t4 at all (I keep trying). As my TSH has always been low since being on thyroid mediation, I'm going to ask to be checked for insulin resistance. Perhaps this is the missing link I've been looking for! just because my blood sugar is ok doesn't mean I don't have an element of insulin resistance. It is certainly worth checking.
Yes, trial and damned error lol! You might check A1C.
there was someone else on either this forum or the Facebook one recently reported that his doctor told him (I think it was a chap) that as he had thyroidism then he would 'of course' become diabetic. At the time there was a chorus from everyone poo-pooing the doctor's lack of knowledge. Maybe not so much, eh?
For what it's worth, in the past 3 years, after the original weight gain on T4 only treatment, I have tried NDT and T3 only treatment - and not a single pound of weight have I been able to shift. Indeed, it takes me all my time to prevent any more going on.
It was previously believed that levothyroxine increased blood sugar if you already had diabetes or pre-diabetes, both of which are common complications of having an under active thyroid. There is now a theory that it may cause a rise in blood sugar in some non-diabetic patients. This, however, is based on a study of non-diabetic horses. I haven't yet found a study involving non-diabetic humans (still looking).
There is also the possibility in non-diabetic humans that their blood sugar level before getting their thyroid treated was lower than it would have been without hypothyroidism and that the addition of thyroxine actually normalised levels. I guess more research needs to be done to find out if this is actually the case.
I think at this stage there is not enough comprehensive data on this in non-diabetic patients to know if this is a risk but It is believed that not treating hypothyroidism means you are more likely to develop diabetes. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes/insulin resistance you absolutely must monitor your blood sugar carefully on starting levothyroxine or changing dosage. Unfortunately, as yet, no one really knows the full implication on the health of non-diabetics. Bear in mind this isn't limited to levothyroxine. Blood sugar also rises on taking NDT.
What is NDT?
I stopped taking thyroxine for the last 2 weeks. My fasting sugar is now below 6. Today was 5 yesterday 5.3. This is the only variable that I changed.
Before that I have reduced T4 from 75 to 50mcg but my fasting sugar was still high (over 6). Dr C said that I have metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and probably diabetes. I am determined to prove him wrong.
007999 - metabolic syndrome? How can that be proved, or not?
Are you taking any thyroid meds?
Metabolic Syndrome is defined as a cluster of biochemical and physiological abnormalities associated with the development of cardiovascular disease and a type 2 diabetes.
In my case it manifested itself by high blood pressure, raised fasting blood sugar, high cholesterol, weight gain.
At this moment I do not take any thyroid meds as I want my adrenals to pick up first. However, as I also have Hashi so I pay attention to an autoimmune diet and stress (chemical, physiological and emotional).
Thanks 007999 for explaining.
I have this cluster too. If you are not converting the t4 to t3, you stay hypo, because of low t3 levels and develop type 2. But, with Hashi's especially, the inflammation can cause it. Hypo causes false high in A1c. I am sorry that i am tootired to find the links right now!
Hi Pink Ninja....I believe you are absolutely right. After my thyroid surgery my Dr wanted me to get some blood work done well anyway once my blood work results arrived I noticed my glucose reading back in March of 2016 was 104 which was normal...He recommended me to take the levothyroxin 150 milligrams...Well, big mistake EVER ! After I started taking it for A while I began vomiting. I had the worse most painful cramps I ever had in my entire life. So,during my next Dr's visit my blood glucose levels read 165 I did not understand (at that time) why and how it elevated so high so quickly. Well anyway, I explained to him the changes I was going through taking this drug so he lowered the dosage, well that still didn't help at all, suddenly I began experiencing muscle tightness and weakness also muscle stiffness...Sometimes I couldn't hardly stand up because of muscle tightness....I really didn't know what was going on nor what was happening I thought it was an dehydration or electrolyte issue so I began to drink plenty of water I ordered products from Amazon such as trace minerals Potassium citrate Magnesium glycinate even Heed sports drink I was still feeling miserable I was desperate I just wanted to feel alive again...Well none of those products helped at all. On my third Dr's visit my blood sugar levels went even higher its went up to 185 ! Not only that my blood pressure was high too ! I asked him what was going on with my blood sugar and pressure he acted as so he didn't know as if it was my fault ! Well overtime my muscles was still cramping and tightening my blood sugar levels In a years time went from 104 to 303 ! I began to notice heavy urination whenever I ate a carb snack or two.. My thyroid Dr recommended me to a primary Dr to get it checked out... I said ok but before I do that I'm going to do a little research on Levothyroxine once I started doing a little research on it..It absolutely blew my mind to pieces, for A whole year I was suffering from the side effects of Levothyroxine the muscle tightness and stiffness the vomiting and high rises of blood sugar and pressure and weight gain .For a whole year Levothyroxin took me on carowins ride ! It was the worst ride of my entire life..... I decided to completely get off of it. I am now on a detox trying to get my system cleanse from that crap plus losing the weight so my blood sugar and pressure can breathe again ! If you want my advise Levothyroxine is just pure deadly poison.. There has also been testimonials of people developing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome using this drug.. People need to be careful with Dr Medicine today if anything it doesn't cure you it just causes more problems in the human body....I personally believe that herbs were created for our bodies... Right now I am taking trace minerals to help nurish my body even though I dont have a thyroid I still believe that giving your body the right nutrition of vitamins and nutrients is the key.. I am a living witness that Levothyroxine can elevate blood sugar in non diabetic patients !
I am a newly joined member and can relate to a lot of what you say - I have a long history of tragedy which I will not bore you with but suffice it to say that I stopped taking my 200 mcg levothyroxine tablets (too suddenly) and underwent the most horrendous detox process ever (tongue swelled up etc) and after five weeks of trying to help myself gave in and took 100 mcg of Levo T4 again - BIG mistake! All the intertrigo and other nasty symptoms returned within 24 hours of re-commencing - I note that there sugars in the actual tablets themselves - they tell me I am Pre-diabetic now - I fully intend to unpick this holy hell of a mess that the NHS has got me into ........ I have had a cough for 8 years that no doctor has ever been able to diagnose (and believe me I have seen them all!) - guess what? It totally went away when I stopped the Levo and started again when I went back on it .... I am now slowly detoxing again from Levo and will never take it again - shame I have had to find out this all by myself ....... I begin this journey with renewed hope thanks to the community on this forum who are far FAR more on the ball than any doctor or Endo I have ever seen ..... Hey ho!
I have a theory that if levo is T4 alone (which is a storage hormone) then by associationit must help you gain weight.
Since Thyroid raises metabolism, it would raise blood sugar. Your body should make enough insulin to handle this increase. There are many Hypothyroid people with very low blood sugar. Type 2 can be caused buy low free t3 tho. because it is a disease that is caused by inflammation, in part. Hypo's and especially Hashi's, have lots of inflammation. If a person is hypo, they need thyroid meds, but the right ones.
I am Hypo, and was told when I started that Diabetes was linked and I need to be careful. My last bloods showed increase sugar level and have been told I am pre-diabetic, but if thyroxine increases the blood sugar then surely that would make me pre-diabetic?? I am confused as she didn't say anything about insulin resistance.
Some years ago, while working in Cambodia, I attended a big international hospital in Bangkok for various tests. (Cambodia didn't have any decent hospitals). When the results came in the specialist who saw me told me in a very shirty way that I was pre-diabetic. This came as a big surprise as I hadn't been into sugar at all. So perhaps thyroxine does raise blood sugar in some way.
I have no thyroid and take Levothyroxine that obviously doesn't properly compensate for natural thyroxine. It causes my various heart problems, hair loss, increased body hair and raised sugar levels. Whilst I am constantly hungry, I eat very little, no sugar or carbohydrates apart from sugar free cereal once a day and a piece of cake once a week. etc. I walk everywhere, a minimum of 3 miles a day up to 8 miles for a regular walk. I am inclined to put on a couple of lbs. in the winter but lose it in the summer, I am actually the same weight I have been for at least four years but it is a constant struggle. And now I have had a letter from the GP to say about joining a diabetes prevention programme. They will get a letter back and a reminder to actually read my notes. About time there were alternatives to Levothyroxine.
So good to know I asked my Dr. and he said no it does not. He is fired.
LOVE that you found this out. I was on Levo for years and quit taking it. Lost a lot of weight. Am back on it (new doctor) he found benign nodule said I needed to be sure to take meds. He also said after some tests that I am diabetic.He said meds don't raise blood sugar. Heard that Levo raises blood sugar so I read the med pamphlet (confirmed). I too am angry. I have been doing intermittent fasting for 2 weeks now and have lost 5kg. Watch Dr. Jason Fung.
Hypoglycemia/low blood sugar
Blood sugars and thyroid 
Blood sugar in the morning - HELP!
Blood Sugar Levels - Hashimotos
Overmedication/hyperthyroid and BLOOD SUGAR
