Diabetes is a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The study was carried out to evaluate the Thyroid Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Thyroid Dysfunction (TD) are the two most common endocrinopathies seen in general population. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with altered thyroid function.
Blood samples were collected from 80 Type 2 diabetic patients and 80 non diabetic (control) and analyze for fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycatedhemoglobin (HbA1c), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyrorine (T3), thyroxin (T4), cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C)and low density lipoproteins(LDL-C).
The levels, of FBS, HbA1c, Cholesterol, TG and LDL-C were observed to be significantly high and the level of HDL-C was significantly low in diabetics as compared to control (non diabetic patients). The levels of T3 and T4 were significantly low while the level of TSH was significantly high in Type 2 diabetics as compared to non diabetics.Pearson correlation shows a very strong positive relationship between FBS and HbA1c and weak positive relationship between these sugars and Thyroid hormones (TSH,T3,andT4). Thyroid dysfunction may complicate metabolic control in diabetes mellitus (DM). It is therefore patients to recognize and where necessary treat thyroid dysfunction in order to stabilize metabolic control.
Based on the findings, it is recommended that the general public should understand that, their support is highly needed in diabetes care management among persons with diabetes. In addition, future research should compare different socio-demographics of patients and relations with self-care practice, for instance, religion and its influence on patients’ perception of diabetes and diabetes care.
1.1 Introduction
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction (TD) are the two most common endocrine disorders seen in adult population(Diezet al., 2011). The prevalence of Type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rising faster than any other form of diabetes because of increased urbanization which encourages development of obesity due to reduced physical activities, increase consumption of refined foods and snacks globally (Zimmet, 1999; Zimmetet al., 2001). Thyroid hormones, namely Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4); either or both of which may be elevated or reduced have both direct and indirect effect on blood glucose homeostasis (Udionget al., 2007).
Elevated levels of free circulating thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) produce hyperglycemia by causing polyphagia, enhancing glucose absorption from gastro-intestinal tract, accelerating insulin degradation and stimulating glycogenolysis (Webb,2004).Reduced level of the hormones hypothyroidism may cause hypoglycemia (Webb,2004; Cooper, 2003). Hypothyroidism, the most commonly diagnosed thyroid dysfunction has greater implications for Type2 diabetic in whom there is pre-existing dyslipidemia and risk of cardiovascular disease (Cooper, 2003; Rama et al; 2003; Johnson, 2006). Moreover, thyroid hormones have significant effects on the synthesis, mobilization and metabolism of lipid (Dias et al., 2011; Murray et al., 2000).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
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