Researchers studied people with type 2 diabetes to see how many also had thyroid problems. They found that about 1 in 5 diabetes patients also had an underactive thyroid. People with both conditions had worse health markers than those with just diabetes, including higher weight, worse cholesterol levels, and lower vitamin D. The study shows that doctors need special treatment plans for patients dealing with both diseases at the same time, since having both together creates bigger health challenges than having just one.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common is an underactive thyroid in people with type 2 diabetes, and does having both conditions make health problems worse?
  • Who participated: The study included people with type 2 diabetes and a comparison group without diabetes. About 18% of the diabetes patients also had hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). The exact total number of participants wasn’t specified in the abstract.
  • Key finding: People with both diabetes and thyroid problems had significantly worse health markers: higher blood sugar levels (10.1% vs 5.48% HbA1c), worse cholesterol numbers, and much lower vitamin D levels compared to those with just diabetes or neither condition.
  • What it means for you: If you have type 2 diabetes, getting your thyroid checked is important. If you have both conditions, you may need more careful monitoring and a customized treatment plan. Talk to your doctor about checking your thyroid function and vitamin D levels, especially if your diabetes is hard to control.

The Research Details

This was an observational research study that looked at groups of people and compared their health information. Researchers examined patients with type 2 diabetes and separated them into two groups: those with an underactive thyroid and those without. They also compared both groups to a control group of people without diabetes. The researchers measured various health markers including weight, blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, and vitamin D levels to see if having both conditions together created different health problems than having just one condition.

The study used standard medical tests to diagnose both conditions and measure health markers. This type of study is useful for finding patterns and connections between diseases, though it doesn’t prove that one condition causes the other.

Understanding how two common conditions interact is important because many people have both diabetes and thyroid problems. If doctors know that having both together creates bigger health challenges, they can watch for these problems more carefully and adjust treatment plans accordingly. This helps prevent serious complications.

The study was published in Scientific Reports, a reputable scientific journal. However, the abstract doesn’t specify the total number of people studied, which makes it harder to judge how reliable the results are. Larger studies with more participants generally give more trustworthy results. The study appears to be well-designed with clear measurements and statistical analysis, but readers should note that this is an observational study, which means it shows connections between conditions but doesn’t prove one causes the other.

What the Results Show

The research found that about 18% of type 2 diabetes patients also had an underactive thyroid, while 82% had only diabetes. This tells us that having both conditions together is fairly common.

People with both conditions had significantly worse blood sugar control. Their HbA1c levels (a measure of average blood sugar over three months) were 10.1%, compared to 5.48% in the control group without either condition. This means their blood sugar was much harder to manage.

The study also found that people with both conditions had worse cholesterol profiles. They had lower levels of the “good” cholesterol (HDL) and higher levels of the “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. This combination increases heart disease risk.

Interestingly, people with both conditions had lower average body weight (BMI of 32.1) compared to those with just diabetes (BMI of 34.4), though both groups were still in the overweight category. The most striking finding was vitamin D deficiency: people with both conditions had vitamin D levels of 28.2 ng/mL compared to 59.5 ng/mL in healthy controls—less than half the normal level.

The research highlighted that vitamin D deficiency is particularly common in people with both diabetes and thyroid problems. This is important because vitamin D plays a role in immune function, bone health, and blood sugar control. The study also showed that the combination of poor cholesterol levels and high blood sugar creates a particularly high risk for heart disease in this group.

Previous research has shown that thyroid problems and diabetes often occur together, and this study confirms that pattern. The finding that people with both conditions have worse health markers aligns with what doctors have observed in practice. However, this study provides specific numbers showing just how much worse the health markers become when both conditions are present together.

The study abstract doesn’t specify the total number of participants, which makes it difficult to assess how reliable the findings are. The study appears to be observational, meaning it shows that these conditions occur together and that health markers are worse, but it doesn’t prove that one condition causes the other. The study also doesn’t explain why having both conditions leads to worse outcomes—it just documents that it does. Additionally, we don’t know details about the participants’ ages, how long they’ve had these conditions, or what treatments they were receiving, which could affect the results.

The Bottom Line

If you have type 2 diabetes, ask your doctor to check your thyroid function (TSH test) if they haven’t recently. If you have both conditions, work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that addresses both diseases. Get your vitamin D levels checked and consider supplementation if levels are low. Monitor your cholesterol and blood sugar more frequently than someone with just diabetes. These recommendations are based on solid research evidence, though individual needs vary.

This research is most relevant for people with type 2 diabetes, especially those who struggle to control their blood sugar despite treatment. It’s also important for doctors treating diabetes patients. People with an underactive thyroid should be aware of the increased diabetes risk. If you have neither condition, this is still useful information for understanding disease prevention. This research is less relevant for people with type 1 diabetes, though some findings may apply.

If you start treatment for an underactive thyroid or vitamin D deficiency, you may notice improvements in how you feel within 2-4 weeks. However, improvements in blood sugar control and cholesterol levels typically take 2-3 months to become apparent. Long-term benefits in reducing heart disease risk develop over months to years of good management.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your HbA1c test results every 3 months and your cholesterol levels every 6 months. Also log your vitamin D supplementation if you’re taking it, and note any thyroid medication doses. This creates a clear picture of how well your conditions are being managed together.
  • Set reminders to take thyroid medication at the same time daily (it works best on an empty stomach). Add a vitamin D tracking feature to monitor supplementation. Use the app to log when you schedule thyroid and cholesterol check-ups to ensure you don’t miss important monitoring appointments.
  • Create a dashboard that shows trends in your HbA1c, cholesterol numbers, and vitamin D levels over time. Set alerts when test results are due. Track any symptoms of thyroid problems (fatigue, weight changes, cold sensitivity) alongside blood sugar patterns to help your doctor adjust treatment if needed.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have type 2 diabetes or suspect you may have thyroid problems, consult with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not start, stop, or change any medications or supplements without talking to your doctor first. The findings in this study show associations between conditions but do not prove cause-and-effect relationships. Individual health needs vary, and treatment should be personalized based on your specific situation.