Hello izzy1948-ga!
Your question caught my attention; so, I did a little research and
asked my physician husband for some information and have compiled some
references and information that I believe will be helpful to you.
Probably the largest connection between diabetes, hypothyroidism (or
low-functioning thyroid) and menopause is the set of symptoms that can
be indicative of each problem. You will find considerable overlap
between each disease?s presenting symptoms and physicians will often
test for all three diseases at the same time in certain populations.
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HYPOTHYROIDISM
Here is a list of common symptoms of hypothyroidism according to EndocrineWeb.com.
(http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html)
*Fatigue
*Weakness
*Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
*Coarse, dry hair
*Dry, rough pale skin
*Hair loss
*Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
*Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
*Constipation
*Depression
*Irritability
*Memory loss
*Abnormal menstrual cycles
*Decreased libido
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DIABETES
There is a similar list for diabetes also available at
EndocrineWeb.com. The list is further divided into ?classic? and
?other? symptoms. While the ?classic? symptoms are what my husband
refers to as a ?textbook presentation,? it can be more common for
patients to present complaining of relatively few of the ?other?
symptoms.
(http://www.endocrineweb.com/diabetes/hyperglycemia.html)
Classic symptoms
*Polyphagia (frequently hungry)
*Polyuria (frequently urinating)
*Polydipsia (frequently thirsty)
Other symptoms
*Blurred vision
*Fatigue
*Weight loss
*Poor wound healing
*Dry mouth
*Dry or itchy skin
*Impotence (male)
*Recurrent infections (esp. vaginal yeast, groin rashes, external ear infections)
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MENOPAUSE
Menopause is defined at WebMD as ?a stage in life when a woman stops
having her monthly period. By definition, a woman is menopausal after
her periods have stopped for one year. Menopause typically occurs in a
woman's late forties to early fifties. It is a normal part of aging,
marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. Women who have their
ovaries surgically removed undergo "sudden" menopause.?
(http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/45/1663_51211)
Below are some of the symptoms that may develop as a result of this
hormonal change.
(http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/symptoms.html)
*Flushes and sweats
*Headaches
*Palpitations (sensation of heart racing)
*Insomnia (sleeplessness) or disturbed sleep
*Fatigue
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ALTERNATIVE THOUGHTS
While there is no well-documented connection (i.e., genetic, hormonal,
environmental, etc.) between diabetes, hypothyroidism, and menopause
other than common symptoms, there are some suspected connections in
some nutritional literature available on the Internet. Dr. Raymond
Peat, a noted nutritionist suggests that glucose plays an important
linking role between at least diabetes and hypothyroidism.
(http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/ray-peat.htm) He notes that
glucose is a required substrate for the enzyme that regulates the
conversion of the thyroid hormone, T4 into its more active form, T3.
When there is a relative lack of glucose (as in hypoglycemia) or an
inability to properly process glucose (as in diabetes), there is
decreased conversion of T4 to T3, decreasing the active form of the
hormone, which results in clinical hypothyroidism. This has not
necessarily been borne out in the mainstream medical literature, but
it is a connection to consider.
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THE CONNECTION
As you can see, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and menopause can present in
very similar ways. The most notable symptom is fatigue. It is not
uncommon for a physician to test simultaneously for diabetes and
hypothyroidism (and menopause in women of appropriate age) in patients
complaining of non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes,
or headaches. I hope that you find this information helpful and
useful. Should you need further clarification, please let me know how
I can help.
Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga
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Search Strategy:
Online research in conjunction with discussion with my husband who is
an osteopathic family physician
Search Terms Used:
diabetes hypothyroid menopause
diabetes hypothyroid menopause connection
symptoms diabetes
symptoms menopause
symptoms hypothyroid |
Clarification of Answer by
boquinha-ga
on
06 Oct 2005 16:19 PDT
Hi again, izzy1948-ga!
I?m glad that you are finding my answer clarifying to your situation,
but I?m sorry to hear about your friend. You?re a good friend to help
her out like this.
In answer to your request for clarification, yes, that is correct.
While hypothyroidism and diabetes do have some symptoms in common, one
is not the cause of the other. Of course, there is no rule that says
that one person cannot have both diseases.
Here is a link I found with some thoughts on potential causes for the
different types of diabetes. I hope this helps. Best of luck to both
you and your friend.
http://www.handsonhealth-sc.org/page.php?id=1119
Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga
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