
February 20, 2009
Thyroid, Type 2
Question from India:
When a person with type 2 develops hypothyroidism, is this an indicator that their type 2 is becoming type 1, probably due to an autoimmune response against beta cells and thyroid glands?
Answer:
The idea that type 2 diabetes transforms itself into type 1 diabetes is not a proven hypothesis. Patients are thought to have either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Sometimes it is difficult to determine the exact type. However, with time, it usually becomes clear. Hypothyroidism is associated more closely with type 1 diabetes, but hypothyroidism is so common in the population that many people with type 2 diabetes also have this condition. Therefore, the presence of hypothyroidism cannot be used to diagnose type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes does not become type 1 diabetes.
JTL