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Insulin resistance can hinder thyroid function; conversely, thyroid dysfunction can worsen insulin resistance.
Three Problems Caused by Insulin Resistance in Patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Insulin resistance is a metabolic disorder that often underlies many problems patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis face.
Hashimoto's disease frequently coexists with insulin resistance. Common issues in patients with both these metabolic disorders include:
1. Metabolic Problems Related to Sugar and Lipids: Increased visceral fat deposition, disrupted lipid metabolism, fatty infiltration, hypertension, hypoglycemia, irritability, and heightened cardiovascular risk[1].
2. Problems Linked to Thyroid Dysfunction: Symptoms include low energy levels, difficulty in weight management, mood fluctuations, and gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, gastroesophageal reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome[2].
Insulin resistance can hinder thyroid function; conversely, thyroid dysfunction can worsen insulin resistance. Patients with both conditions struggle to manage them separately, as one exacerbates the other, complicating symptoms and health outcomes[3][4].
3. Chronic Inflammation: Hashimoto's disease is characterized by persistent inflammation. White blood cells accumulate and infiltrate the thyroid, causing ongoing inflammation.
This gradual destruction of the gland and chronic inflammation significantly affect the overall bodily function and quality of life.
Insulin promotes inflammation and worsens pain. It acts as a growth factor, encouraging cell proliferation and exacerbating inflammatory processes. It suppresses healing mechanisms, accelerates tissue damage, and leads to chronic inflammation.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is a metabolic disorder where cells fail to respond to insulin's action effectively.
Insulin is a hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose. When cells resist insulin, the body produces more insulin, leading to hyperinsulinemia.
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Image: Insulin resistance arises when the liver, fatty tissue, and muscle cells try to protect themselves from excess glucose and fail to respond to insulin. The body then secretes more insulin to achieve the same biological effect.
Elevated insulin levels disrupt thyroid function and the overall hormonal system, leading to prediabetes, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases[5-7].
Micronutrient Deficiencies
Vitamins and micronutrients like minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants are crucial for the smooth functioning of the thyroid and immune system.
Deficiencies in these elements are associated with the development and course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis[8-10].
Based on clinical experience, common deficiencies in Hashimoto's patients include:
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Vitamin D
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Selenium
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Magnesium
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Omega-3 fatty acids
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Probiotics
- Antioxidants
These often coexist with deficiencies in Chromium, Zinc, B-complex vitamins, K2, and C vitamins.
Deficiencies in these micronutrients and vitamins, which are involved in thousands of metabolic processes, negatively impact health progression. They promote the development of insulin resistance and boost chronic inflammation.
Subclinical nutrient deficiencies can go unnoticed for years until the manifestation of a disease. These are difficult to detect with standard laboratory tests and are described as "Hidden Hunger"[11-13].
It is encouraging that insulin resistance is a metabolic disorder that can be resolved with lifestyle interventions, correcting bodily deficiencies, and dietary changes.
Timely detection and management are crucial, as they can significantly influence an individual's health trajectory.
Effectively treating Hashimoto's disease involves regulating thyroid hormones and identifying and correcting insulin resistance and associated micronutrient deficiencies.
Specialized Tests Determine Treatment of Insulin Resistance in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Patients
Lifestyle factors, physical deficiencies, and diet can be corrected to improve the disease course.
For patients with Hashimoto's disease, addressing metabolic disorders and identifying the specific deficiencies impacting their health is vital, as these are directly linked to insulin resistance as well.
Until recently, accurately measuring these deficiencies and metabolic disorders was challenging with common measurement methods, leading to generalized treatment guidelines.
In recent years, a new category of tests detecting small molecules in the body provides precise insights into deficiencies and metabolic disorders affecting an individual's health.
These sensitive measurement methods, known as metabolomic analyses, detect exact deficiencies to comprehensively formulate a therapeutic plan to manage insulin resistance and improve patient health[14-17].
They detect over 80 health-related markers.
The tests identify deficiencies in vitamins and other elements related to:
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insulin resistance
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glucose metabolism
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lipid metabolism
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inflammation management
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energy production
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gut microbiome
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immune system
- hormonal system functioning
Test results are accompanied by a tailored therapeutic plan for each patient, requiring consistent medical monitoring.
Treatment includes vitamins and micronutrients, dietary advice, and lifestyle recommendations based on test outcomes.
Since marginal nutrient deficiencies accumulate over time and lead to disease, time and effort are needed for correction.
Undergoing these tests is the first step. Subsequently, the doctor designs an appropriate therapeutic plan for each patient based on the test results.
The patient implements the treatment to address their condition and improve their health. This process requires time and effort, combined with steady monitoring by the medical team.
Typically, 6-8 months are needed to achieve significant change, and a year to stabilize the body at a better functional level.
Addressing insulin resistance through medical interventions in lifestyle, correcting bodily deficiencies, and diet can significantly alter the health course of patients with insulin resistance:
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Reduces fatigue and boosts energy levels.
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It improves metabolism and reduces body weight and visceral fat.
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Substantially improves the daily life of individuals with Hashimoto's disease.
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Lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
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Enhances sugar and lipid metabolism.
- Reduces inflammatory flare-ups leading to thyroid gland destruction.
Clinical experience shows that correcting nutrient deficiencies, restoring metabolism, and normalizing weight radically change the health course for individuals with insulin resistance and Hashimoto's disease, from steady deterioration to consistent improvement[14-17].
Prompt intervention to restore these aspects is critical to prevent health deterioration.
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Bibliographic References
[1] Metabolic Syndrome Medscape 2020. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/165124-overview
[2] Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can affect quality of life even when thyroid gland function is normal Date: February 27, 2011 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110225123029.htm
[3] Thyroid dysfunction in metabolic syndrome patients and its relationship with components of metabolic syndrome Saroj Khatiwada et al Clin Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5471726/
[4] Introducing the thyroid gland as another victim of the insulin resistance syndrome. Jorge Rezzonico et al. Thyroid 2008. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18346005/
[5] Insulin Resistance in Chronic Disease Uri Hamiel & Orit Pinhas-Hamiel Springer Link Contemporary Endocrinology 2019.
[6] Metabolic pressure and the breach of immunological self-tolerance Veronica De Rosa, Antonio La Cava & Giuseppe Matarese.18 October 2017.
[7] Changes in Glucose-Lipid Metabolism, Insulin Resistance, and Inflammatory Factors in Patients With Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Yi Lei et. al. J Clin Lab Anal . 2019https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31350776/
[8] Metabolic Characteristics of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Patients and the Role of Microelements and Diet in the Disease Management-An Overview Aniceta A Mikulska et al. Int J Mol Sci . 2022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35743024/
[9] Multiple Nutritional Factors and the Risk of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Shiqian Hu, Margaret P Rayman. Thyroid . 2017 May. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28290237/
[10] Correlation Between Hashimoto's Thyroiditis-Related Thyroid Hormone Levels and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Guanqun Chao, Yue Zhu, Lizheng Fang. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Feb. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32117049/
[11] Hidden Hunger in the Developed World. Biesalski HK. The Road to Good Nutrition. Basel, Karger, 2013, pp 39–50 https://doi.org/10.1159/000355992
[12] Low micronutrient intake may accelerate the degenerative diseases of aging through allocation of scarce micronutrients by triage. Bruce N. Ames. PNAS 2006. https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/103/47/17589.full.pdf
[13] Prolonging healthy aging: Longevity vitamins and proteins Bruce N. Ames PNAS October 23, 2018. https://www.pnas.org/content/115/43/10836
[14] Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of Serum Fatty Acids for the Prediction of Autoimmune Diseases. Dimitris Tsoukalas, Vassileios Fragoulakis, Evangelia Sarandi et. al. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Metabolomics, 2019.
[15] Prediction of Autoimmune Diseases by Targeted Metabolomic Assay of Urinary Organic Acids. Dimitris Tsoukalas et al. Metabolites. 2020 Dec 8.
[16] Non-communicable Diseases in the Era of Precision Medicine: An Overview of the Causing Factors and Prospects. Dimitris Tsoukalas et al. Bio#Futures. Springer, Cham. May 2021.
[17] Micronutrient deficiencies in patients with COVID-19: how metabolomics can contribute to their prevention and replenishment. Dimitris Tsoukalas1,2 and Evangelia Sarandi2,3 BMJ Nutri Prev Heal. Nov. 2020; bmjnph-2020-000169
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