I have an appointment with an endo in June to work out whether I need thyroid medication, but think that I’ve worked out that my main problem ( since my hemithyroidectomy) is reactive ( post prandial) and exercise-induced hypoglycaemia.
I have read that there is a known link with the thyroid, but wondered if anyone has had experience of being able to improve their hypoglycaemia through supplements or through thyroid medication?
I am aware that managing diet is also necessary.
My aim is to get back to a state where I can minimise the hypo episodes and exercise intensively and safely.
Thanks in advance for any stories and insights.
Written by
RuthNelson
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This is common on the forum as we need adequate cortisol and thyroid hormone to maintain good blood glucose levels. Usually the problems arise from two issues and many people have a mixture of both: hypoglycemia (too little sugar in the cells) and insulin resistance (too much sugar in the blood).
There is much credible science behind all this, such as inadequate levels of thyroid hormone decreases glucose absorption in the gut and slows the uptake of glucose by the cells. Also slows insulin response to elevated blood sugar & insulin clearance from the blood. Thyroid hormone converted to excess RT3 (inactive thyroid metabolite) can increase the production of substances known as thyronamines that encourages insulin resistance and symptoms of increased blood sugar. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with both insulin & leptin resistance and is an important anti-inflammatory, etc, etc.
My own treatment was through a nutritionist who put me on regular smaller meals always with protein, and use protein snacks in-between if I felt hungry. I addressed all nutrient deficiencies and additionally supplemented Gluco-Fit that helps regulate blood sugars, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) which helps the body use glucose, Milk Thistle (another antioxidant) that helped with sugar level control and liver clearance possibly slowed by low thyroid hormone.
There are many more supplements such as Berberine and American Ginseng, but the main treatment is diet - clean, free of processed foods, and regular supplies of low steady carbs that must be continued to avoid symptoms returning. Also if you start thyroid meds to optimise deficient hormones that will help, and supporting the adrenals.
Thanks very much, Radd, that is all extremely helpful.
Did you need to lose weight at all? I have a couple of stones to shift, and had started the Fast 800 diet, which involves fasting for 16 hours each day, before I realised what was happening with my blood sugar levels. I have actually been doing ok on having cups of milky tea in the afternoon and not eating until the evening, if I don't eat carbs in the evening I can get through a day happily with no hypos. Would you think that this would be ok to carry on, or is this approach setting me up badly in some way? I was planning to break this approach and eat small meals reguarly on days when I know I have sports matches which require intensive energy.
Also, can I ask what impact do you think that the supplements had, and how long did it take you to notice a difference; are they ones that need to build up in your body? I am currently taking: iron, magnesium, selenium, b-complex, Vit D.
Both blood sugar issues and possible low thyroid hormone levels will add weight gain as the body is unable to metabolise glucose effectively. Some sugar can be stored in the muscles and liver, but elevated levels will be stored as fat as it has nowhere else to go. Hence why people with diabetes are more likely to gain weight.
When blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia), the adrenal glands release stress hormones to signal the liver to break down proteins and fats for energy by stimulating the use of glycogen (stored sugar in the liver). If this happens too frequently it causes bodily stress, inflammation and weight gain (especially around the middle). Then the body might tell itself to lower metabolism in order to preserve energy, burning less calories and retaining more weight.
Also glucose needs insulin to enter the cells and when glucose can’t, the pancreas will keep pumping insulin in an effort to help. but elevated insulin levels encourage more insulin resistant compounding the problems of glucose entering the cell.
Think of your condition as the stage before diabetes type 2, that has to be bought back under control in order to progress healthily. Therefore, any form of dieting will be counterproductive and might even encourage further weight gain until blood glucose mechanisms are working correctly. Have you had a HbA1c test? It’s not always accurate but sometimes a good place to start identifying blood glucose issues.
Thanks very much, Radd; I definitely feel the link with the adrenals as my kidneys hurt in the mornings after I have eaten any sugar; like this morning, as I ate some sugar last night to stop the post prandial tingling. I had not eaten carbs fir dinner, and I am starting to become worried about eating anything, for fear of my body’s response.
I had an HbA1c test done at the start of March.
36, in a range of 20 to 41. This was consistent with tests before my hemithyroidectomy.
I am London based. I don’t know if there is a nutritionist and / or endo that has understood and helped you that you might be able to mention by DM?
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