Haut Diabetes Care

Link Between Hypothyroidism and PCOS

by

Hypothyroidism and PCOS linked.

Did you know that hypothyroidism and PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disorder) are interconnected?. Both the diseases are more commonly found in young girls and women. Hypothyroidism is known to cause PCOS and worsening of PCOD with insulin resistance. An increased estrogenic and estrogenic/progesterone ratio seem to be directly involved in high thyroid antibody levels in PCOS patients. Both the diseases are linked with each other. Hypothyroidism can lead to Polycystic ovarian disease. Both hypothyroidism and PCOD are seen most commonly in teen girls.

hypothyroidism hashimotos and pcos

Pathophysiology:

Factors contributing PCOD and hypothyroidism in young girls and women are obesity, junk food, carbonated aerated drinks, sedentary life-style, hormonal changes which tend to affect the ovaries causing development of cysts. Both environmental and genetic factors lead to contribute to thyroid disorders in PCOD. Also, family history of hypothyroidism cannot be ruled out as one of the causes. High prolactin levels affects in LH/FSH ratio which leads to decrease in thyrotoxin T4 levels and increase in TSH levels leading to PCOD.

PCOD also leads to increase insulin resistance and may cause infertility in young women. There is irregular menstrual cycle leading to amenorrhea. Ovulation is disturbed with pain in the lower abdomen. Best way to diagnose is ultrasonography of pelvis during the fourth or fifth day of menstrual cycle. Multiple follicular cysts are seen in the ovaries along with increase in size of the ovaries in ultrasonography. Elevated free testosterone level is an indicator for increase androsterone hormone for PCOD.

Hypothyroidism symptoms may overlap PCOD like amenorrhoea, hairfall, weight gain, hirsutism and infertility. Apart from this, hypothyroidism also includes symptoms like headaches, constipation, lethargy, muscle cramps, sluggishness, sexual dysfunction, brittle nails and bradycardia. Also glycaemic index, and thyroid levels would give clear idea of to rule out hypothyroidism.

Obesity :

Obesity caused by Hypothyroidism can be treated by improving the lifestyle. Implementation of exercise and a proper diet plan can help in reducing weight which is also useful in treatment of PCOD. Also treatment with oral eltroxin or L-Thyroxine helps in Hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism, PCOS and pregnancy :

All these are also interlinked which can lead to obesity, hypertension, lethargy, hairfall and headaches. Alteration in thyroid hormones also affects the brain development (IQ) of the baby. Also eating lower glycemic foods also help in monitoring diabetes and PCOD.  Reducing stress levels and correcting sleeping patterns help in correcting Hypothyroidism, PCOD.

Also patients suffering from PCOD do have subclinical hypothyroidism  where in TSH levels increases in PCOD patients.

Home remedies for hypothyroidism and PCOD:

  • Licoriceroot in herbal tea is very useful for Hypothyroidism. It reduces androgen which helps in restoring the hormonal balance.
  • Having fenugreek seeds (methi seeds) empty stomach in the morning helps in both Hypothyroidism and PCOD.
  • Corriander and mint juice also helps in easing painful menstrual cycle in PCOD.
  • Asafoetida local application over stomach helps in pain during menstrual cycle in PCOD. Also drinking buttermilk with asafoetida helps.
  • Avoiding cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower in large quantities helps in controlling hypothyroidism as they trap iodine from blood stream.

All the above mentioned home remedies and diet would help you achieve your goals. Hope you all gained some knowledge about the importance and how both the diseases ie Hypothyroidism and PCOD are linked and how to manage through home remedies and medicicine.

If you like the article do share with your friends and family.

For more details about Hypothyroidsm and PCOS correlation checkout the article in Indian Journal of endocrinology and Metabolism.

Haut Diabetes Care

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
FacebookYouTube

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailDiabetes & Depression Link Diagnosis Treatment Default ThumbnailDiabetes and Menopause Default ThumbnailDiabetes and Aloplecia

Diabetes Travel Tips and Travel Advice

by

Are you travelling abroad or is there a change in your daily routine?

Changes in routine can present a number of difficulties from meal times to medication schedules. Job shift work can alter the body’s circadian rhythms which respond to natural daylight of sun and darkness of moon. Consequently, blood sugar levels can be affected thereby altering sleep timings which can lead to hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia. Changes in sleep or job shift times can also affect your eating pattern during the day.

Changing routines is a complex process and involves more than simply rearranging blocks of time. Daily routines influence the integration of diabetes self-management into daily life. A study showed that integrating diabetes self-management into daily life involves changing behaviours and learning new skills, both of which require modification of established routines. A key finding in a study mentions that modification of existing routines is often challenging because routines become habits and are therefore undetectable to those needing to change them. A strong encouragement and support from family and friends can help overcome this issue.

Diabetes and travel advice

General travel tips for Diabetics :-

  • Patients should pack more test strips, insulin, syringes, pens and other diabetes equipment than they will need for the trip.
  • They should also pack a spare glucose meter in case of loss or damage.
  • They should have a written note on details of emergency contacts.
  • If flying, insulin, syringes/pens and testing equipment should be kept and divided between two pieces of hand luggage.
  • To help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and to make the trip more comfortable, patients are advised to move about the cabin and do the chair-based exercises regularly.
  • If the patient is travelling overseas, he/she must make be prepared for different foods, changes in time zones and extreme climates as well as being prepared for mishaps such as delays and misplaced baggage. Planning a trip for a person with diabetes is important.

Doctors must advise patients that it is healthier to prepare home cooked meals in advance to ensure they are eating nutritious food. Planning meals days in advance can be used so they are not rushing to cook food in-between shifts.
Advise them to bring their own healthy snacks to work rather than buying something processed from a shop or a vending machine.

Patient should always be prepared to treat low glucose while travelling as travelling may disrupt their normal routine for both eating and dosing insulin. Patients should pack extra diabetes supplies and keep it handy, so that they could easily access it when required.

If you like this tips and advice, share them with your fiends.

Haut Diabetes Care

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
FacebookYouTube

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailTop 5 tips for managing obesity in diabetes Default ThumbnailEat Fruits Before Meals – Diabetes Health Tips Default ThumbnailTop 5 Tips To Prevent Diabetes Default ThumbnailTop 6 Reasons For Gaining Weight After Weight loss & Solution

Role of Spices for Diabetes Control

by

Role of Spices for Diabetes Control :-

The use of spices and herbs should be a part of patient’s nutritional diet plan as they have demonstrated their effectiveness in
lowering blood glucose, boosting insulin sensitivity, reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol, etc.

When spices are consumed in moderation, health benefits can be derived, however, an overdose of any spice can lead to indigestion or even ulcers. Black pepper aids in digestion, congestion, an upset stomach and can also help stop the bleeding on a cut when applied topically. It also has all the essential nutrient contents. It promotes weight loss and relieves toothache.

Spices for diabetes control

So here is list of few spices and their benefits in combating diabetes and blood sugar levels :

  • Clove –

An equivalent of one or two cloves per day helps to improve cardiovascular anddiabetes risk factors in T2DM.

  • Cinnamon –

High levels of circulating insulin can lead to many of the secondary signs of diabetes such as nerve, kidney and eye problems as well as build-up of plaque in the arteries. Cinnamon increases insulin efficiency and hence is very helpful in diabetes.

  • Ginger –

Ginger is a very famous herb known for its intense flavor and warming aroma. A clinical study showed that ginger increases insulin sensitivity and affecting carbohydrates metabolism, thereby leading to greater glucose absorption in the muscles. Ginger also has the potential to help reduce the risk for diabetes complications due to its lipid-lowering effects.

  • Garlic –

Garlic has been recommended to help reduce high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure thereby reducing the incidence of heart disease. Raw garlic might be helping in diabetes control by reducing blood sugar levels as well as reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. This is particular interest as diabetes increases a person’s risk of atherosclerosis-related inflammation

  • Fenugreek Seeds –

The seeds contain fibre and other chemicals that may slow digestion and the body’s absorption of carbohydrates and sugar. A study showed that daily dose of 10 g of fenugreek seeds soaked in hot water may help control T2DM.Another study suggested that eating baked goods such as bread made with fenugreek flour may reduce insulin resistance in people with T2DM.

A quick guide to use spices :-

  • The recommended doses of turmeric by The University of Maryland’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide are:
    – Cut root:1.5–3 g per day
    – Dried or powdered root:1–3 g per day
    – Fluid extract (1:1):30–90 drops per day
    – Tincture (1:2):15–30 drops, 4 times per day.
  • A pinch of turmeric on scrambled eggs, on top of roasted vegetables, rice, in soup or just to a plain glass of milk.
  • While preparing green tea, it is recommended to add ginger as it adds to the flavour as well
    as helps keep the upper respiratory tract clear.
    To prepare basil ginger tea: Take one cup of water, add 5 basil leaves, 3–4 ginger slices, 1 tsp tea leaves and 1/4 cup of milk. Boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Strain and 30 serve. Add honey (in moderation only) to replace sugar.
  • Soak a cinnamon stick in warm water and drink it with a drop of honey about two-three times a day,this helps soothe a scratchy throat
    Mix cloves, basil, cardamom and mint in tea and replace the sugar with honey. This drink will calm nerves and help de-stress.
  • Fenugreek seeds (methi dana): Soaked fenugreek seeds can be consumed on an empty stomach. This will help relieve acidity. Methi dana is excellent for regulating blood sugar. People with diabetes benefit a great deal from consuming fenugreek water. Sprouted
    fenugreek is even better as it has 30–40% more nutritive properties over soaked fenugreek seeds

Effectiveness of curcumin in diabetes :-

A study found that people with prediabetes who were given curcumin for a period of 9 months were less likely to develop the fullblown condition.

  • Controls blood sugar
  • Protects against diabetes
  • Improves function of β-cells that make insulin in the pancreas
  • May reduce diabetes-related complications: In a clinical study, researchers gave test subjects curcumin over a long period of time. As a result, these people appeared to have fewer symptoms of liver disorders. The compound curcumin was also reported to be active against diabetic vascular disease,and it seems to speed wound-healing

If you like this article please share with your friends and family.

Haut Diabetes Care

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
FacebookYouTube

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailGlycemic index- it’s role in Diabetes.

What are the steps of Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) ?

by

Steps of Self Monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) :

The first step is to meet with a health Care professional (HCP). After identifying the characteristics and needs of the patient, the HCP will recommend a glucose meter, which one can buy at a drugstore, along with all the other materials necessary for self-monitoring: lancets (needles), a lancing device (to take blood), test strips and tissues.

Nowadays in current COVID-19 scenario you can also purchase it from online stores like amazon or flipkart etc.

Diabetic Educators must advice people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose regularly by following the next steps:

  • Wash hands with soapy water and dry them well
  • Insert the test strip into the glucose meter
  • Insert the lancet into the lancing device
  • Prick the end of a finger (on the side)
  • Gently squeeze the end of the finger, if necessary
  • Apply the blood to the test strip
  • Wait a few seconds (the time varies by type of meter)
  • Read and write down the result in a logbook or store it in the glucose meter

glucose meter check

Choosing a Self monitoring of Blood Glucose or SMBG Device :-

When used and stored properly, blood glucose meters are generally accurate in how they measure glucose. They differ in the type and number of features they offer. Here are several factors to consider while choosing a blood glucometer:

  • Insurance coverage (if any)
  • Cost
  • Ease of use and maintenance
  • Special features
  • Information storage and retrieval
  • Support

 

Tips for successful Self Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Teaching:-

It is recommended that one must check the accuracy of the meter’s readings at least once a year by comparing a fasting reading with a reading done at the same time in a laboratory. To avoid false readings, your test strips and glucose meter must be in good condition. Make sure that:

  • The expiry date printed on the test-strip container has not been reached or exceeded
  • The test-strip container was not left open after you took out a test strip
  • The test strips are in their original container
  • The test strips have been kept away from moisture, and stored at a temperature between 4° and 30°C
  • The test strips have not been contaminated by dust or other substances
  • There is no dust or dried blood on the opening of the test strip
  • The glucose meter has not been left in sunlight directly
  • The glucose meter has not been exposed to moisture, or to temperatures below 5° C or higher than 30° C
  • The glucose meter has not been dropped, or been in contact with a liquid

Important pointers for Diabetic Educators :

  • Explain factors that can affect glucose levels
  • Thoroughly explain the user techniques to measure blood glucose levels
  • Explain the people with diabetes regarding changes in meters or strips

In India , Where insurance do not cover diabetes and related purchases then cost of such monitoring is additional burden on people. still it is recommended to use self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) atleast in current pandemic scenario.

You can check out Dr. Nikhil Prabhu‘s Youtube video on how to use glucometer at home (Hindi) :

If you like this article share this with your friends and family !

& do subscribe to our Youtube Channel :- https://www.youtube.com/user/drnikhilprabhu

Haut Diabetes Care

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
FacebookYouTube

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailSelf Monitoring of Blood Glucose – SMBG Chart Free Download Default ThumbnailHow Diabetes Affects Your Blood Sugar – Video Presentation Default ThumbnailWhich Anti-Diabetes Medicines can Cause Low Blood Sugars or Hypoglycemia? Default ThumbnailBest Way To Take Insulin At Home