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February 20, 2009

Thyroid, Type 2

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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:

From: DTeam Staff

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