Functional disorders of the thyroid gland and diabetes mellitus – an interaction underestimated

Petra-Maria Schumm-Draeger, München

Coincidence of diabetes type 1 and of type 2 with various hormonal disorders has frequently been found. A lastingly inadequate metabolic control of type 1 and type 2 diabetics may affect hormonal parameters. An acute metabolic disorder of a diabetic, however, may suggest a new hormonal disease and is always reason for diagnosis and treatment.

It is hence necessary to consider changes in hormonal functions in patients with existing diabetes and, vice versa, the effects of hormonal disorders on the carbohydrate metabolism in diabetics and in persons whose metabolism was previously healthy. The development of a functional disorder of the thyroid gland in the sense of a thyroid hyper- or hypofunction is of special importance for diabetics. In hyperfunction, insuline resistance may increase and insulin release be inhibited, i.e glucose tolerance be affected. Furthermore, metabolic disorders may occur cases in which a diabetes existed before.

Tyroid hypofunction, on the other hand, reduces insulin requirement increasing the danger of hypoglycemia. It is worth being mentioned that a thyroid hypofunction caused by autoimmune reaction is significantly more frequent in type 1 diabetics of much younger age. The thyroid gland function should be checked at least once a year. In case of any changes, a corresponding treatment must be initiated to prevent diabetes type 1.

Keywords: Diabetes type 1 and type 2, functional disorders of the thyroid gland, thyroid hypofunction, thyroid hyperfunction, iodine supply.

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs Umschau 03/08 ab Seite 152.