Don’t Skip This Test: The Critical Role of Thyroid Screening in Diabetes Care

People with diabetes often have their sugar and cholesterol levels or their kidney. They often overlook a very important test, that is thyroid function tests. The thyroid gland plays a key role in regulating metabolism, energy balance, and insulin activity. These factors directly impact the blood sugar levels.

Why Thyroid Health Matters in Diabetes

Thyroid hormones can affect how much your body uses glucose. When thyroid function is abnormal, it can also affect insulin function, hence it affects how the body uses up insulin.

  • Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) slows down the body’s metabolism. It can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and higher cholesterol levels. It can also impact insulin resistance, making it difficult to maintain blood sugar control.
  • Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) speeds up metabolism and may cause unexpected weight loss, anxiety, and erratic blood glucose levels.

Diabetes and thyroid disorders are interlinked. People with type 1 diabetes have thyroid issues very often because autoimmune thyroid disease occurs more frequently in them.

Who Should Get a Thyroid Screening?

  • People with Type 1 Diabetes: Other autoimmune disorders, including thyroid disease, are very common in patients with type 1 diabetes.
  • Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes:  People who experience sudden weight loss or gain, fatigue and difficulty in maintaining good sugar control must undergo thyroid tests.
  • Women with Diabetes: Women, especially those above 40 years of age or with a family history of thyroid disease, are at higher risk.

Early detection through a simple thyroid function test (T3, T4, and TSH levels) helps ensure timely management.

The Link Between Thyroid and Diabetes Management

If thyroid is not treated, diabetes control can be challenging. Risk of complications affecting the heart, kidneys, and nerves increases. Regular thyroid screening allows doctors to fine-tune both thyroid and diabetes treatment for better overall outcomes.

At Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, comprehensive diabetes care includes thyroid function testing as part of routine evaluation. Addressing thyroid imbalances early helps improve metabolism, energy levels, and blood sugar stability — key pillars of long-term diabetes management.

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