Diabetes and hypothyroid

[Widawake]

Diabetes ....Does anyone know if there is any link between hypo thyroid and Diabetes. I am age 62, been diagnosed hypo about 6 yrs. I have recently crept into the diabetes range. I have been eating g a lot healthier recently so it was a bit of a surprise. Unlike most people who are hypo I struggle to keep my weight up. When I have reduced carbs my weight drops. Can anyone shed some light on how to lower my blood sugar. And not drop to an unhealthy weight?

[G2G2]

Not uncommon to have more than one autoimmune disease. I have Hashimoto's & T1 diabetes. Have you been tested for T1? Reducing carbs is the best way to control blood glucose. Kudos! I've been eating low carb for 11 years. Increase fat (good fats) to help maintain weight. Also, try increasing protein some. Don't go overboard on protein because about 50% of protein becomes glucose. The process is called glucogenesis.

[Banjogirl]

The short answer is ...yes there is ..

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

[vocalEK in reply to Banjogirl]

Good article. It mentions that optimal control of thyroid hormones helps.

Widawake - Are both your Free T3 and Free T4 in the upper half of the reference range? Are your vitamin levels optimal? SeasideSusie posts talk about testing for Vitamin D, Ferritin, Folate, and B12. Vitamin levels need to be optimized for thyroid hormones to work best.

Also I have been using a low-carb diet to lose weight and the result has been an HgA1C the lowest it has ever been. As G2G2 pointed out, you can increase fats in your diet if dropping carbs too low makes you lose too much weight.

[ruthie4562]

Yes there is. Go online and look up videos of Dr Brad Shook. He explains it all.

[Treepie]

I was diagnosed Type2 12 months after diagnosed hypo. Low carb diet helps.

[Widawake]

Thanks all for advice. I will try increased protein and fats. Fortunately I do enjoy fats but always thought they were taboo.

[Tina_Maria]

Is your hypothyroidism well controlled? If you are not receiving adequate replacement, your metabolism is slow, which can lead to increased glucose and cholesterol in your blood.

It may be coincidental, but I strongly suspect that you are not being controlled properly and hence the 'creeping' up into the range. Can you post your results for members to have a look at? Would be interesting to see. Also, do you still have hypothyroid symptoms, or do you feel you are back to where you were before your diagnosis?

[Widawake]

Hi, My last test showed low tsh that is all they tested. My meds were reduced and I have slept a bit better. I am due a test soon and I have asked if they can check t3 t4 so I will know a little more then. I an 62 and dont know what I am supposed to feel like nowadays. I do feel tired most days and need to rest in the afternoons. I also have sleep Apnea so that confuses the issue also. What I find strange is my easy weight loss. Most sufferes seem to have trouble losing weight. I am slimmer than I have been for years. I used to be quite athletic but now have lost a lot of muscle tone and strength

[SmPea in reply to Widawake]

I too find it strange about my weight loss and have lost a lot of muscle tone and strength. I have Hashimoto’s and am 63. I have yet to find an explanation for the weight loss as I eat well. It would be great if anyone on this site could help us both understand why this has happened.

[TSH110]

Free T3 is the most important but the MHS rarely test for it. The body aims to keep freeT3 within tight parameters all the other tests are peripheral to this. Why they won’t test it is beyond my comprehension. It should be in the top third of the range (numbers in brackets after your value). TSH should be between 0.2 and 0.5. You should ask for print outs if all your tests and keep a file of them for reference. It is your right to have copies of the results in full, some might charge a nominal fee for paper and ink. You can get a private test for freeT3 thyroid uk have a list of companies who do discounts for thyroid uk if you put a code in,and perhaps get the doc to do the other tests recommended here by others. I was very thin when I had untreated hypothyroidism. I have been ok fue 5 years but gavesuddenly put on weight - so odd this disorder.

[Widawake]

I am trying to get my docs to do the tests. Failing that I will pay for them. Thanks