Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does The Intake Of Levothyroxine Cause Increase In Blood Glucose Levels?
Question: hi I have recently been diagnosed with underactive thyroid and prescibed Levothyroxine 50 mcg once daily. I have been taking this since 4/30/15. I have type II diabetes I take Metformin 1000 mg twice daily and am non-insulin dependent. Since going on the thyroid med my blood glucose numbers have gone up significantly(last month my A1C was 7.2. I am not doing anything different eating basically the same way and I am not having stressful situations. Could the thyroid meds possibly be the reason for higher blood glucose numbers?
Brief Answer:
Thyroid medications can increase your blood sugars
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM. I have gone through the question and understand your concerns.
Blood sugars are slighly low in under active thyroid and more in over active thyroid. So if you are treating hypothyroidism with thyroxine, your sugars will go up.
Underactive thyroid ( hypothyroidism) needs treatment as it is a cardiac risk factor, like diabetes. So you can continue the thyroid medications and monitor your sugars. If it is going up, additional medications or increasing the Metformin dose will help.
Hope I have answered your questions. If you have any further queries I will be happy to help you.
Regards,
Dr Ajish TP [MD,DM]
Consultant Endocrinologist
Thyroid medications can increase your blood sugars
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM. I have gone through the question and understand your concerns.
Blood sugars are slighly low in under active thyroid and more in over active thyroid. So if you are treating hypothyroidism with thyroxine, your sugars will go up.
Underactive thyroid ( hypothyroidism) needs treatment as it is a cardiac risk factor, like diabetes. So you can continue the thyroid medications and monitor your sugars. If it is going up, additional medications or increasing the Metformin dose will help.
Hope I have answered your questions. If you have any further queries I will be happy to help you.
Regards,
Dr Ajish TP [MD,DM]
Consultant Endocrinologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
So you would advise me to consult with my PCP about my high blood sugars? Thank you for confirming this as a possibility because it is not listed in any known side effects I have been able to access!
Brief Answer:
See detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
This can't be said as a side effect of thyroxine. Glucose out put from liver is low in Underactive thyroid which increase after thyroxine treatment. That is the explanation of blood sugars going up with thyroxine.
Wishing you good health
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
See detailed answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
This can't be said as a side effect of thyroxine. Glucose out put from liver is low in Underactive thyroid which increase after thyroxine treatment. That is the explanation of blood sugars going up with thyroxine.
Wishing you good health
Regards
Dr Ajish TP
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
