I was wondering if anybody has experienced a link between thyroid and pancreatic function. I have recently been diagnosed with hashimotos via TPO antibodies and a slightly raised TSH (5). Due to fatigue my doctor also ran a nutrient panel and because I was not absorbing most vitamins (I am deficient in vitamins A, C, D, E and iodine) he also ran a test called a pancreatic elestase (which is a stool test to determine if the pancreas is producing enough enzymes). Anyway mine came back at 120 with anything under 200 considered pancreatic insuffiency. He's now running more tests to try and find out why my pancreas is not producing enough enzymes, however after doing some research myself it seems like there may be a link with underactive thyroid. Had anyone else experienced this? I'm desperate to find answers......
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Mj1986
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I don't have any links as just know that there are loads of intricate connections, but the main one is that most people with long term low thyroid hormone will have a slowing of all organ functions including the pancreas.
Adrenal hormones that help to control sugar levels will compensate and become unbalanced leading to blood glucose problems like hypoglycemia with too little sugar in the blood, and/or insulin resistance with too much sugar in the blood.
The pancreas digests sugars which breaks down into stored energy by producing insulin and now has to work even harder in producing more insulin to deal with this excess blood sugar. More insulin means even further insulin receptor resistance. Vicious circle and the pancreas works even harder.
Also thyroid hormone is largely converted by an enzyme called 5′ deodinase which comes in three forms; deodinase type I (D1), deodinase type II (D2) & deodinase type III (D3). D1 becomes down-regulated in response to any physical stress such as insulin resistance, reducing a significant amount of T4 -T3 conversion.
Are you medicating thyroid hormone replacement ? Have you got thyroid hormone test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) to post ?
If also you post iron/nutrient results, members will give you advice on supplementing.
That is really useful thank you. Im not medicating thyroid hormone yet but ive just been referred for IVF and they said it's likely I'll need to start now. My TPO antibodies are at 140 and my TSH ranges but my highest result has on my been 5 (t3 and t4 are normal). In terms of deficiencies I have a severe iodine deficiency (iodine level = 9 reference range <20 = severe), and I am deficient in vitamins A,D, E and C. I'm unsure whether I should take an iodine supplement as there is lots of mixed messages on this? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Absolutely no iodine. Particularly as you are likely to be medicating thyroid hormone replacement in the near future, which will have sufficient iodine in it, as TSH will need to be kept low for conception.
Just a thought - it would take a long time to acquire those nutrient deficiencies. If you have felt hypo symptoms for a long time, hashi can take years to develop to the extent it will be diagnosed, so could there be a chance you have been subclinical hashi for a while? If so this could be a cause of disruption to ovulation.
Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (THS) is secreted but by doing this the body also creates prolactin that can interfere with ovulation. Low thyroid hormone can also affect the luteal phase, the period of time between ovulation and menstruation.
Members have found eating a gluten free diet has been helpful in reducing antibodies.
A good read is "Your Healthy Pregnancy With Thyroid Disease" by Dana Trentini and Mary Shomon.
I do have hypothyroidism. And also have acute pancreatitis. Took CT scan and I have a small cyst in my pancreas Dr. put me on CREON. I have to take 2 before each meal and 1 before snack.
It works! No more pain. Well not an attack,I should say.
The Dr. that found it was not my GP.
He also told me if I should have another attack to go to hospital and have them call him immediately because he would have to drain it or do whatever had to be done.
I’m not saying that is what you have because I didn’t have that test done.
They saw that I had acute pancreatitis by a blood test in ER.
What where you symptoms with pancreatitis? An incidental finding while doing a thoriac back mRI found a nonspecific 8mm something I guess cyst on head/body so they said wait 6 months and redo another MRI. All my doctors act like it’s nothing. So was wondering if you could help. Anxious and worried. Ughh back pain and plurisey and constipated does of course thinking it’s all my pancreas 😱
Hi MJ, I know little about this but am trying to learn like you & just read about Celiac disease: “Malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E, & K), carbohydrates, fat, & other micronutrients may occur if more distal portions of the small intestine are affected.” Had you already been tested for Celiac disease?
The author (Midge Kirby, etc.) says “The cause of nutritional deficiencies seen in celiac disease may be twofold: a result of celiac disease, &/or a consequence of the gluten-free diet.” (because the gluten-free grains do not inherently contain a lot of stuff). Had you been eating gluten-free?
I would think that the fuel for the pancreas to operate smoothly would come from the gastrointestinal tract. Your doctor seems focused on the pancreas. This confuses my limited understanding of things.
I’m also hypothyroid (low), diagnosed by a wide awake doctor when she suspected type 2 diabetes and tested the thyroid levels at the same time. Did your Dr check your HbA1c (the amount of glucose attached to your red blood cells)? Type 1 diabetes is caused when the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin, type 2 can be when the liver’s signalling to the pancreas is faulty and can often be fixed by lifestyle changes leading to weight loss. Both are related to insulin levels and hence the pancreas though the loss if pancreas function in diabetes may be different to the one that your Dr has suspected and identified. Good luck with your pancreas levels.
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