Hypothyroidism slows down our body’s ability to process carbohydrates and our cell’s ability to absorb blood sugar. Hence, the carbohydrates we could eat pre-thyroid problems now are too much for our systems to handle. So excess carbohydrates equals excess insulin equals excess weight. Plus, the fun side effects of blood sugar swings (tiredness, dizziness, fatigue, exhaustion, hunger, etc.) that we may be mistaking as thyroid symptoms and our doctors say can’t possibly be. So yes, when we take thyroid hormones, our metabolism speeds up, and can more efficiently process carbohydrates, and then our insulin needs increase. Not everyone has this side effect, though, so I’m not sure if their insulin needs would have increased. A lot of folks swear by a low carb diet to control a lot of these issues.
Hypothyroidism slows down our body’s ability to process carbohydrates and our cell’s ability to absorb blood sugar. Hence, the carbohydrates we could eat pre-thyroid problems now are too much for our systems to handle. So excess carbohydrates equals excess insulin equals excess weight. Plus, the fun side effects of blood sugar swings (tiredness, dizziness, fatigue, exhaustion, hunger, etc.) that we may be mistaking as thyroid symptoms and our doctors say can’t possibly be. So yes, when we take thyroid hormones, our metabolism speeds up, and can more efficiently process carbohydrates, and then our insulin needs increase. Not everyone has this side effect, though, so I’m not sure if their insulin needs would have increased. A lot of folks swear by a low carb diet to control a lot of these issues.
Yes, Pauly. The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine, found in many foods, and convert it into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine. These cells combine iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to make T3 and T4. T3 and T4 are then released into the blood stream and are transported throughout the body where they control metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy). Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism. The normal thyroid gland produces about 80% T4 and about 20% T3, however, T3 possesses about four times the hormone “strength” as T4. (See “How the Thyroid Works.”)
When the level of thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) drops too low, the pituitary gland produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. Under the influence of TSH, the thyroid will manufacture and secrete T3 and T4 thereby raising their blood levels. The pituitary senses this and responds by decreasing its TSH production. Low levels of T3 and T4, combined with a TSH at the higher end of the range scale, can indicate that the Thyroid is starting to struggle more and more to produce these hormones. They are valuable markers, along with a TSH. It’s best to get all three at the same time, and if TSH is low, but the T3 and T4 levels are also on the low side, (or you are having thyroid symptoms) should also get autoimmune thyroid antibody testing.
My endo tests T-3, T-4 separately. Some people have a deficiency in one, but not the other. I do.
Thank you Lizmarie for the detailed answer and clearing that up for me.
That’s about the increase I noticed as well… it’s frustrating since I feel like that extra insulin also contributes to making it MUCH more difficult to lose weight…
Mine also tests both. She says it’s important to see how well the replacement hormone is being used by the body… that gives a better indicator of whether the dose is correct (or if you also need T3 replacement) than just checking the TSH alone does.