Hypothyroidism and Diabetes: Thyroxine decreases the effectiveness of insulin
Created: 08/12/2022 16:02
By: Natalie Hull Drawbar
The thyroid gland and thyroxine not only have an effect on blood sugar levels, but also on blood sugar-lowering drugs in diabetes.
You should discuss the dose of your medication with your doctor.
In Germany, it is estimated that every third person over the age of 45 suffers from hypothyroidism, including many diabetics.
People with type 1 diabetes are twice as likely to develop an underactive thyroid than people with normal blood sugar levels, according to the
German Diabetes Society
.
An excess or deficiency of thyroid hormones can massively impair metabolism and blood sugar.
Patients who are being treated with thyroxine for a thyroid disease and who inject insulin, for example, should definitely consult their doctor.
Hypothyroidism and Diabetes: Thyroxine decreases the effectiveness of insulin
The thyroid gland and thyroxine affect blood sugar levels and blood sugar-lowering drugs in diabetes.
The result is: blood sugar rises.
(Iconic image) © AllaRudenko/Imago
Important to know: When taking artificial thyroxine, various interactions can occur.
The hormone tablets react with contraception like the pill and even with food.
For example, thyroxine should not be taken with coffee and may interact with nuts and cabbage.
The hormones should not be swallowed together with mineral water.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
L-Thyroxine 50 actually also influences the absorption of antidiabetic drugs, i.e. blood sugar-lowering drugs such as insulin, metformin, glimepiride and glibenclamide.
Blood sugar levels should be checked regularly, especially at the beginning and end of thyroid hormone therapy.
It may be important to adjust the dose of the blood-sugar-lowering medicine in consultation with your doctor, as thyroxine can reduce the effect of insulin.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
