Can Hypothyroidism Cause High Blood Sugar? [cc7dbf]

Unlocking Healthy Blood Sugar Levels: Understanding Insulin Sensitivity

Maintaining a healthy blood sugar range is crucial for overall well-being, and one of the key factors that influence this delicate balance is insulin sensitivity. In this article, we will delve into what it means to be insulin sensitive and how it affects our blood sugar levels.

The Science Behind Blood Sugar Regulation

When we eat carbohydrates or sugars, they are broken down into glucose, which then enters the bloodstream. will black coffee affect blood sugar To regulate blood sugar levels, the pancreas releases insulin – a hormone produced by beta cells in the islets of Langerhans within the pancreas. Insulin works like a key to unlock cells and allow glucose to enter for energy production or storage as glycogen or fat.

However, when our body becomes less responsive to insulin (a condition known as insulin resistance), it's harder for glucose to gain access into the cells, causing blood sugar levels to rise. This can lead to various health issues such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Factors like genetics, obesity, physical inactivity, a high-carbohydrate diet, stress, and sleep deprivation are known contributors to insulin resistance.

Recognizing Signs of Insulin Resistance

Some common signs that your body may be developing insulin resistance include increased hunger or cravings for carbohydrates due to low energy production from cells; fatigue even after eating meals containing complex carbs like whole grains or legumes; a feeling of lethargy or tiredness; weight gain, particularly around the midsection and in areas with high fat content.

Moreover, you might notice blood sugar fluctuations that aren't related directly to meal times – often referred to as dawn phenomenon where morning levels are higher than expected. In some cases, individuals may also experience darkening skin patches (acanthosis nigricans), which is a condition associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Strategies for Improving Insulin Sensitivity

Fortunately, there are several lifestyle modifications potassium and blood sugar that can help improve your body's response to insulin:

• Regular Physical Activity: Aim for moderate-intensity aerobic exercises like brisk walking or swimming at least five days per week. Incorporate strength training into your routine two times a week, focusing on large muscle groups such as legs and hips.
• Healthy Diet Choices: Focus on whole foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals – leafy greens, fruits (especially berries), nuts what level of blood sugar is dangerous low seeds like almonds or pumpkin puree-based meals; opt for lean proteins from sources other than meat. Choose low-glycemic carbohydrates instead of high ones which are processed refined grains bread white rice pasta candy.
• Stress Management: Regular mindfulness practices can significantly improve stress levels and contribute to better insulin sensitivity. It could be a daily practice during your morning walk meditating through any activity like deep breathing that provides momentary distraction from chronic worries.

Practical Tips for Enhancing Insulin Sensitivity

Here are some additional tips you may find helpful:

• Keep Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding sugary beverages or those high in calories.
• Monitor your blood sugar regularly to track changes and identify patterns; this will enable adjustments tailored specifically towards optimizing glucose regulation – maintaining health through a dynamic balance between nutrient uptake use production utilization efficiency while considering individual response variability.

Seeking Medical Attention

It's crucial that individuals dealing with any type of symptoms related above seek professional help sooner rather than later because these signs aren't just limited to one body system but reflect multiple physiological imbalances potentially putting their overall wellness at risk long-term. Regular check-ins provide both patient doctor insight allowing them address pressing issues more effectively manage stress levels stay proactive concerning disease prevention strategies

The answer is yes. Actually, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can lead to high blood sugar. This stems from a condition known as insulin resistance in which your cells become resistant to the effects of insulin. Insulin is supposed to help your body take up glucose and utilize it for energy. If it can't then the blood sugar will build up in your blood and you will experience high blood sugar. This condition stems from ANY disorder of thyroid function including both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. And this is also true of thyroid medications. It's not the medications themselves which cause blood sugar but how much you are taking of them. It's possible for thyroid medication to both hurt or help your blood sugar, depending on your dose. In addition to this, hypothyroid patients also suffer from a high cortisol if they do not use an adequate dose of thyroid medication. High cortisol leads to further insulin resistance and can exacerbate high blood sugar. Because of this, if you have hypothyroidism and high blood sugar it's important that you address both your cortisol AND your thyroid function. Failure to address both of these can lead to persistent high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and weight loss resistance. Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function: - Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: - Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto's: - Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: - Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here: Want more from my blog? I have more than 400+ well-researched blog posts on thyroid management, hormone balancing, weight loss, and more. See all blog posts here: Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: Disclaimer: Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video. #thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's