Dr. Chris Heimlich, DC, DACNB, Scottsdale Thyroid Doctor Comments:

Although I have written posts about blood sugar and low thyroid symptoms in the past, I came across a recent article the other day that I wanted to share with you that links thyroid disorders and diabetes.  The article states that Diabetes and Thyroid Disease appear to be closely linked.  They also stated that the data did not differ between type 1 and type 2 Diabetes.

The article also suggested a common genetic background for both thyroid disease and diabetes.  They also link the conditions to autoimmunity.

What most people do not realize is that type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease, just like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (low thyroid) and Grave’s Disease.  Type 2 Diabetes is also connected to autoimmunity at least 20% of the time.  Research shows, just like this article does, that if you have one autoimmune condition, you have a higher chance of having another.   I have also found this clinically.

The article, as do most texts, considers low thyroid synonymous with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. 

That is a huge take home message for you.  According to the literature, when you have hypothyroid or low thyroid symptoms, it is synonymous with the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  As you know from reading my other blogs and watching my videos, just taking thyroid hormones is not the answer to getting your maximal health back when you have an autoimmune condition.

The summary of the article stated that there is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that insulin sensitivity, or drugs used to modulate it, will also affect thyroid growth and function.  It also stated that a better definition of the interactions between Diabetes and thyroid hormones is necessary to optimize treatment of patients with diabietes mellitus. They also stated the high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction should result in regular screening of the thyroid function.  I suggest get screened for thyroid function regularly even if you have not been diagnosed with diabetes.  Of course like I have said on many different occasions, make sure you get complete testing, not just the TSH.