Diabetes and Thyroid Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Diet, and Treatment

 

Diabetes and Thyroid Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Diet, and Treatment

(By Dr Sahiba Nazir)

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels effectively. It occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (Type 1 Diabetes) or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (Type 2 Diabetes). Over time, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision problems.

Symptoms of Diabetes:

• Frequent urination (polyuria)
• Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased hunger
• Fatigue and weakness
• Slow-healing wounds
• Blurred vision
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet

What is Thyroid Disease?

Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland, located in the neck, either produces too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) of the thyroid hormones. These hormones regulate metabolism, energy levels, and body temperature. Hypothyroidism slows down metabolism, whereas hyperthyroidism speeds it up, leading to different sets of symptoms.

Symptoms of Thyroid Disease:

Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid):

• Fatigue and sluggishness
• Weight gain
• Cold intolerance
• Dry skin and hair thinning
• Depression and memory issues
• Constipation

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid):

• Weight loss despite normal eating habits
• Excessive sweating and heat intolerance
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Nervousness and anxiety
• Increased appetite
• Tremors (shaking hands or fingers)

Test Analysis for Diabetes and Thyroid Disease

Test Name	Normal Range	Pre-Diabetes  Abnormal Range	Diabetes  Severe Condition
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS	70-99 mg/dL	100-125 mg/dL	126 mg/dL or higher
Postprandial (PP) Blood Sugar (2 hrs after meal)	<140 mg/dL	140-199 mg/dL	200 mg/dL or higher
HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin)	Below 5.7%	5.7% - 6.4%	6.5% or higher
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)	0.4 - 4.0 µIU/mL	Above 4.5 µIU/mL (Hypothyroidism)	Below 0.4 µIU/mL (Hyperthyroidism)
T3 (Triiodothyronine	80 - 200 ng/dL	Low in Hypothyroidism	High in Hyperthyroidism
T4 (Thyroxine)	5.0 - 12.0 µg/dL	Low in Hypothyroidism	High in Hyperthyroidism
Anti-TPO Antibody	< 35 IU/mL	High in Hashimoto’s (Hypothyroidism)	High in Graves’ Disease (Hyperthyroidism)

Diet Chart for Diabetes and Thyroid Patients Meal Time Recommended Foods Foods to Avoid Early Morning Warm water with lemon, soaked almonds, chia/flaxseeds Sugary tea/coffee, biscuits Breakfast Multigrain roti, boiled eggs, vegetable oats, paneer/tofu sandwich White bread, sugary cereals, soy (for hypothyroidism) Mid-Morning A handful of nuts, 1 fruit (apple, pear, berries), buttermilk Fruit juices, deep-fried snacks Lunch Brown rice/whole wheat roti, dal, green leafy vegetables (except cabbage, cauliflower for hypothyroidism), grilled chicken/fish, salad White rice, fried foods, excessive salt, pickles Evening Snack Sprouts, roasted chana, green tea, vegetable soup Samosas, bakery products, sugary tea/coffee Dinner Grilled vegetables, dal soup, whole wheat chapati, paneer/tofu, vegetable stir-fry (avoid cabbage, cauliflower for thyroid patients) White flour products, heavy gravies, excessive salt Bedtime Warm milk with turmeric, a few seeds (flaxseeds, chia), walnuts Sugary milkshakes, chocolate, sweets

Conclusion:
Managing diabetes and thyroid disease requires a proper balance of medication, lifestyle changes, and diet. Regular check-ups, a well-balanced diet, and physical activity can help maintain stable blood sugar and thyroid hormone levels. If you experience any symptoms, consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.