Do Thyroid Hormones Affect Your Blood Glucose?

Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels by influencing various organs and processes in the body. They affect the pancreas, liver, gastrointestinal tract, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and the central nervous system, all of which are involved in glucose homeostasis.

People with diabetes mellitus have a higher prevalence of thyroid disorders compared to the general population, with an 11% prevalence found in a meta-analysis of over 10,000 subjects with diabetes.

Thyroid dysfunction is particularly common in those with type 1 diabetes, and regular screening is recommended, especially for those with positive thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies.

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can impact insulin resistance, a key factor in type 2 diabetes.

Overall, the interplay between thyroid function and blood glucose regulation is complex, and understanding it is essential for managing metabolic health.

Effects of thyroid hormone on glucose metabolism

Source: Eom, Young Sil et al. “Links between Thyroid Disorders and Glucose Homeostasis.” Diabetes & metabolism journal vol. 46,2 (2022): 239-256. doi:10.4093/dmj.2022.0013 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons

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