Information about type 2 diabetes and thyroids problems needed?

by Sue



Question from Sue:


My mother has type 2 diabetes and also has thyroid problems.


Can thyroid problems cause type 2 diabetes, or did diabetes cause the thyroid problem?


Are these two conditions treated together, or does she need one strategy for diabetes and another for thyroid problems?




Quick Answer


Type 2 diabetes and thyroid disease can occur together, but one does not always directly cause the other.


Thyroid problems can affect weight, energy, cholesterol, heart rate, insulin sensitivity, and blood sugar control. Poorly controlled thyroid disease may make diabetes harder to manage.


Your mother needs both conditions managed together by her doctor, but each condition also has its own tests, treatment, and follow-up plan.



Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc


Hi Sue,


Your question is important because diabetes and thyroid disease are both endocrine conditions, and they can influence each other.


Can Thyroid Problems Cause Type 2 Diabetes?


Thyroid disease usually does not “cause” type 2 diabetes by itself. Type 2 diabetes is mainly related to insulin resistance, genetics, age, weight, activity level, and other metabolic factors.


However, thyroid problems can make blood sugar harder to control. Hyperthyroidism may raise glucose and increase insulin needs. Hypothyroidism can slow metabolism, contribute to weight gain, tiredness, cholesterol problems, and sometimes affect how diabetes medicines work.


Did Diabetes Cause the Thyroid Problem?


Not necessarily. Type 2 diabetes does not automatically cause thyroid disease. But both conditions are common, especially as people get older, so they may appear in the same person.


The autoimmune connection is stronger in type 1 diabetes, where autoimmune thyroid disease is more common. In type 2 diabetes, the connection is often related to metabolism, weight, insulin resistance, and shared risk factors.


How Should Both Conditions Be Managed?


They should be managed together, but not with exactly the same treatment. Diabetes treatment focuses on blood sugar, HbA1c, food, activity, weight, and medicines. Thyroid treatment focuses on thyroid hormone levels such as TSH and free T4.


Your mother should ask her doctor about:



  • HbA1c and daily blood sugar targets

  • TSH and free T4 thyroid tests

  • Cholesterol and blood pressure

  • Weight changes, fatigue, constipation, tremor, palpitations, or heat/cold intolerance

  • Whether thyroid treatment is affecting her diabetes control


You may also find these pages helpful: type 2 diabetes information and blood sugar levels by time of day.


Important Medication Tip


If your mother takes thyroid hormone tablets, she should follow her doctor’s instructions carefully. Thyroid medicine is often taken on an empty stomach and separated from calcium, iron, and some other medicines because absorption can be affected.


She should not change thyroid medicine or diabetes medicine without medical advice.



When to Call the Doctor


Call the doctor if your mother has repeated high or low blood sugar, sudden weight change, fast heartbeat, chest pain, severe weakness, confusion, new swelling, worsening tiredness, or thyroid symptoms that are not improving.




Doctor’s Note


Sue, your mother should not treat diabetes and thyroid disease as completely separate problems. They need coordinated care because thyroid imbalance can affect blood sugar control, weight, cholesterol, and how she feels day to day.




Educational safety note: This answer is for general diabetes education only. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not change diabetes or thyroid medication without speaking with your healthcare provider.



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How do endocrine hormones control blood sugar levels?

Human Body Endocrine Hormones

Human Body Endocrine Hormones



Question:


I want to know the effect of endocrine hormones in controlling blood sugar levels.




Quick Answer


Blood sugar is controlled mainly by two pancreatic hormones: insulin and glucagon.


Insulin lowers blood sugar by helping glucose move from the blood into body cells. Glucagon raises blood sugar by telling the liver to release stored glucose when blood sugar is low.


Other hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, growth hormone, and thyroid hormone, can also affect blood sugar, especially during stress, illness, fasting, exercise, or thyroid disease.



Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc


Hello,


This is a very good question. Blood sugar control is part of the body’s normal balance, also called homeostasis. The body tries to keep glucose high enough to give energy, but not so high that it damages blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and the heart.


Insulin: The Main Hormone That Lowers Blood Sugar


Insulin is made by beta cells in the pancreas. After eating, blood sugar rises. In response, the pancreas releases insulin.


Insulin helps glucose enter muscle, fat, and liver cells. It also helps the body store extra glucose as glycogen, mainly in the liver and muscles. This is why insulin is the most important hormone for lowering blood sugar.


When insulin is not produced enough, or when the body does not respond well to insulin, blood sugar rises. This is important in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.


Glucagon: The Main Hormone That Raises Blood Sugar


Glucagon is also made in the pancreas, but by alpha cells. It works in the opposite direction of insulin.


When blood sugar becomes too low, glucagon tells the liver to release stored glucose into the blood. This helps protect the brain and body from low blood sugar.


This balance between insulin and glucagon is one reason blood sugar can change during fasting, overnight, exercise, or missed meals.


Other Hormones That Can Raise Blood Sugar


Several hormones can raise blood sugar when the body needs extra energy. These are sometimes called counter-regulatory hormones because they work against insulin’s glucose-lowering effect.



  • Adrenaline: rises during stress, fear, pain, or intense exercise and can raise glucose quickly.

  • Cortisol: a stress hormone that can increase glucose production by the liver.

  • Growth hormone: may reduce insulin sensitivity and raise glucose, especially overnight.

  • Thyroid hormone: affects metabolism and can change how the body handles glucose.

  • Some pituitary and adrenal hormones can also influence blood sugar indirectly.


Why This Matters in Diabetes


In diabetes, the balance between insulin and glucose-raising hormones may not work properly. This is why blood sugar may rise in the morning, during illness, after stress, with steroid medicines, or after intense exercise.


You may find these pages helpful: why blood sugar is high in the morning and what is insulin resistance?


Simple Way to Remember



  • Insulin lowers blood sugar.

  • Glucagon raises blood sugar when it is too low.

  • Stress hormones can raise blood sugar.

  • Thyroid and other endocrine problems can make diabetes control more difficult.



Important Medical Note


If blood sugar becomes repeatedly high or low, do not assume it is only due to hormones. Food, medication timing, insulin dose, illness, infection, stress, sleep, kidney function, thyroid disease, and exercise may all play a role. Discuss repeated abnormal readings with your healthcare provider.




Doctor’s Note


The body controls blood sugar through a careful hormonal balance. Insulin lowers glucose, glucagon raises it when needed, and stress, thyroid, growth, and adrenal hormones can modify the response. In diabetes, this balance is disturbed, which is why regular monitoring and medical follow-up are important.




Educational safety note: This answer is for general diabetes education only. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not change diabetes, thyroid, steroid, or hormone-related medication without speaking with your healthcare provider.



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Asthma and diabetes are very popular in childhood and last forever as chronic illnesses?




Question:


Asthma and diabetes are very common in childhood and last forever as chronic illnesses. Is that true?




Quick Answer


Asthma and diabetes can both occur in childhood, and both can be long-term conditions. But the word “forever” needs care.


Asthma is a chronic lung condition, but some children improve as they grow older, while others continue to have symptoms into adulthood. Asthma can usually be controlled with the right treatment and trigger avoidance.


Diabetes depends on the type. Type 1 diabetes usually requires lifelong insulin. Type 2 diabetes in children is also serious, but blood sugar can improve greatly with weight management, food changes, activity, and medication when needed.



Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc


Hello,


Yes, both asthma and diabetes can be chronic illnesses in children, but they are different conditions and should not be explained in the same way.


Is Asthma a Lifelong Disease?


Asthma affects the airways and can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It is often a chronic condition, but symptoms can change over time.


Some children have fewer symptoms as they grow older. Others continue to need asthma treatment as teenagers or adults. The important point is that asthma can often be controlled with medicines, avoiding triggers, and following an asthma action plan.


Is Childhood Diabetes Lifelong?


It depends on the type of diabetes.



  • Type 1 diabetes: the body makes little or no insulin. Children with type 1 diabetes need insulin treatment and regular blood sugar monitoring.

  • Type 2 diabetes: the body becomes resistant to insulin. It is increasingly seen in children and teenagers, especially with obesity, family history, and low physical activity.

  • Both types need medical care, family support, school planning, and regular follow-up.


You may find this useful: type 1 diabetes information and type 2 diabetes information.


Can Children Live Normally With Asthma or Diabetes?


Yes. With proper treatment, many children with asthma or diabetes can go to school, exercise, travel, and live active lives.


The goal is not to make the child feel different or limited. The goal is to teach safe daily habits, recognize warning symptoms early, and help the child become confident with their care as they grow.


Can Asthma Treatment Affect Blood Sugar?


Some asthma medicines, especially steroid tablets or injections, can raise blood sugar temporarily. Inhaled steroids usually have less effect, but any child with diabetes who needs frequent steroids should be followed carefully.


If a child has both asthma and diabetes, the pediatrician, diabetes doctor, and asthma doctor should coordinate treatment.



Important Safety Note


Seek urgent medical help if a child has severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, confusion, extreme sleepiness, severe low blood sugar, vomiting with high blood sugar, dehydration, moderate or large ketones, or fast/deep breathing.




Doctor’s Note


Asthma and diabetes can both be chronic childhood conditions, but they can be managed. Children need correct treatment, education, family support, and school support. A child should never stop insulin, asthma inhalers, or prescribed medicine without medical advice.




Educational safety note: This answer is for general education only. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Children with asthma, diabetes, breathing symptoms, high blood sugar, or low blood sugar should be followed by a qualified healthcare professional.



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Which gland and hormone decrease the level of glucose in the blood?




Question:


Which gland and hormone decrease the level of glucose in the blood? What happens if that gland is damaged or not functioning, either totally or partially?




Quick Answer


The main gland involved is the pancreas. The hormone that lowers blood glucose is insulin, made by beta cells in the pancreas.


Insulin helps glucose move from the blood into body cells so it can be used for energy or stored for later. When the body does not make enough insulin, or cannot use insulin properly, blood sugar rises.


This can happen in diabetes, but the reason is different in type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.



Answer by Dr. Albana Greca, MD, MMedSc


Hello,


The hormone that decreases blood glucose is insulin. Insulin is made in the pancreas, mainly by beta cells located in small groups of cells called pancreatic islets.


How Insulin Lowers Blood Sugar


After eating, blood glucose rises. The pancreas releases insulin. Insulin helps glucose enter muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used for energy or stored as glycogen.


Without enough insulin action, glucose stays in the blood instead of entering the cells. This leads to high blood sugar.


What Happens If the Pancreas Is Damaged?


If the insulin-producing beta cells are damaged or not working well, the body may not make enough insulin. The result depends on how severe the problem is.



  • Partial insulin shortage: blood sugar may rise gradually, often seen in type 2 diabetes.

  • Severe insulin shortage: blood sugar may rise dangerously and insulin treatment may be needed.

  • Near-total insulin loss: this is typical of type 1 diabetes and requires insulin for survival.

  • Pancreas damage from pancreatitis, surgery, injury, or other disease can also affect insulin production.


Is the Damage Reversible?


It depends on the cause. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells, and the loss is usually permanent. Insulin is required.


In type 2 diabetes, the problem is often a combination of insulin resistance and gradual beta-cell stress. Some improvement may be possible with weight management, physical activity, healthier food choices, and medication, but treatment should be guided by a doctor.


In gestational diabetes, blood sugar often improves after delivery, but the mother has a higher future risk of type 2 diabetes and needs follow-up testing.


Important Correction


Type 2 diabetes does not simply “turn into” type 1 diabetes. They are different conditions. However, over time, some people with type 2 diabetes may produce less insulin and may need insulin treatment.


You may find these pages useful: type 1 diabetes information and type 2 diabetes information.



Important Safety Note


If a person cannot make enough insulin, blood sugar can become dangerously high. Seek urgent medical help for vomiting, dehydration, confusion, severe weakness, fast or deep breathing, fruity-smelling breath, moderate or large ketones, or very high blood sugar that is not coming down.




Doctor’s Note


The pancreas makes insulin, and insulin is the main hormone that lowers blood glucose. If the pancreas or beta cells are damaged, the body may not make enough insulin, and blood sugar can rise. The treatment depends on whether the problem is type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or another pancreas-related condition.




Educational safety note: This answer is for general diabetes education only. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not start, stop, or change diabetes medication or insulin without speaking with your healthcare provider.



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Ask the Doctor now? Simply click here to return to Type 2 diabetes information.