People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing a thyroid disorder. In the general population, about 6% of people have a thyroid problem in one form or another. However, this percentage increases to more than 10% in people with diabetes.
In fact, thyroid disorders are very common in the Western world … second only to diabetes as the most common condition affecting the endocrine system.
Tea endocrine system It is a group of glands that secrete hormones that help regulate the use of nutrients by cells, that is, these glands play a central role in the proper functioning of your metabolism.
Abnormal thyroid function can have a major impact on diabetes control … Untreated thyroid disorders can increase the risk of diabetes complications and can aggravate diabetes symptoms.
But thyroid problems can be easily diagnosed by simple blood tests, and effective treatment is available. Anyone with diabetes should be regularly screened for thyroid disorders.
What is the thyroid?
Tea thyroid gland It is shaped like a butterfly that sits around your neck windpipe between your Adam’s apple and your collarbone. It produces two hormones, T3 and T4, that set the speed of your metabolism … how fast your heart beats, how deeply you breathe, your body temperature, and how your body uses insulin are all thyroid-related functions.
Hyperthyroidism, that is, too many thyroid hormones are produced, insulin resistance increases, while hypothyroidismWhen too little hormones are produced, cholesterol increases.
Hypothyroidism is much more common than hyperthyroidism.
Both hypo and hyperthyroidism greatly increase the risk of heart disease.
Symptoms of thyroid problems.
Symptoms vary based on age and gender, and whether you have hypo or hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, cold, weight gain, depression, dry skin and hair, and constipation.
With hyperthyroidism, you are likely to experience weight loss, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, muscle weakness, and diarrhea.
Both types of thyroidism, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can cause goiter, a swelling of the neck as the thyroid grows.
Many of the symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. For example, a symptom of a thyroid problem is cold feet. But a person with type 2 diabetes can easily mistake this symptom for diabetic neuropathy.
Thyroid problems test
Because you can’t really tell by symptoms alone if you have a thyroid problem, you need to have your thyroid checked regularly through blood tests. This is usually done by testing your blood for TSH, the thyroid-stimulating hormone.
TSH is the hormone the pituitary gland uses to signal the thyroid to go to work. If thyroid function is low, the level of TSH in your blood will be high, indicating that your thyroid should be producing more thyroid hormones. If the thyroid is overactive, TSH will be low, trying to slow it down.
A TSH level between 0.4 and 4.0 mU / L (milliunits per liter) is considered normal. But some people can have significantly low thyroid function with a TSH of 2.0-4.0mU / L. Levels in this range may already be raising your lipids to harmful levels and possibly your glucose. In some European countries, patients with a TSH greater than 2.0 mU / L can receive thyroid medication.
How to manage thyroid problems
There are three things you need to do to control thyroid problems … get regular tests … take prescription medications and … follow a thyroid-friendly diet.
Tests… according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), anyone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be screened for thyroid disorders and then at five-year intervals thereafter. People with type 1 diabetes should be screened every year. It’s also a good idea to get tested whenever you have unexplained changes in your glucose levels.
Medicine… hypothyroidism can be treated with levothyroxinene, a synthetic version of T4, the main thyroid hormone, which is produced and released by the thyroid gland. However, you should try it in different dosages to find the best dosage for you, which may take several months.
But levothyroxine does not work for everyone. However, there are other medications, such as liothyronine, that can be used instead.
Keep in mind that it is important to take your thyroid pills at the same time every day.
There are also medical and surgical treatments for hyperthyroidism.
Diet… eating the right foods makes a difference.
Iodine it is the most important nutrient for your thyroid. It is added to most of the salt that is sold commercially in Europe and North America. If you use other more specialized salts or do not use salt, you may need to ingest more iodine. Sea vegetables (algae) and marine animals are the best sources.
Medicine, diet and exercise
The most common form of thyroid problems is hypothyroidism, that is, a slow thyroid that performs poorly.
To get your thyroid working at the speed it needs, you must:
Medicine… take the correct amount of medicine as directed by your doctor. Do not skip doses and take it at the same time of the day. Taking it at different times during the day can prevent it from working as it should. Since you will probably have to take it for the rest of your life, make it part of your established daily routine.
Take your thyroid medicine on an empty stomach. Food can decrease its absorption, especially foods rich in fiber. High fiber foods are good for you, so don’t stop eating them … just eat them several hours before or after taking your thyroid medications.
Avoid taking calcium supplements or iron-containing supplements (such as multivitamins) along with your thyroid medicine, as these can also block the absorption of the medicine.
Meal… cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage can affect thyroid hormone production. These are very healthy foods, so you should keep eating them … just don’t eat them at the same time you take your medicine. Cooking these vegetables appears to lessen this effect.
Be easy with soy foods… soy contains genistein, which can decrease thyroid hormone production … and although you should continue to eat them, limit them to a few times a week.
Eat foods that stimulate thyroid hormone production. These foods contain nutrients like B vitamins, selenium, zinc, tyrosine, and iodine. Poultry, shellfish, lean meat, whole grains, onions, beans, almonds, avocados, seeds, and low-fat dairy can help.
Avoid or limit fatty and sugary foods … just as you do to control your diabetes.
Watch your portion sizes. Not overeating seems like a no-brainer. If you need to lose weight, reduce the amount you eat.
Iron deficiency is one of the causes of hypothyroidism. Ask your doctor to monitor your iron levels if you have hypothyroidism.
Do not take dietary supplements, such as iodine, intended to treat thyroid problems without first discussing this with your doctor. Also, don’t stop taking your thyroid medicine in hopes of “treating” hypothyroidism with diet alone.
Exercise… it is not necessary to fix your thyroidism (or your diabetes) but it helps the process. Staying in shape with a daily exercise routine will increase your efforts … you’ll feel better about it, too.