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Association Between Thyroid Dysfunction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, conducted a study to investigate the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study involved 219 male and female participants aged 23 to 74 years, with 149 diagnosed with T2DM and 70 non-diabetic patients. The study found significant differences in fasting blood glucose and thyroid hormone levels between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, with diabetics exhibiting altered levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4).

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 219 participants aged 23 to 74 years, divided into three age groups: young adults (23-30), middle-aged adults (31-45), and old-aged adults (45-74).
  • Significant differences were observed in fasting blood glucose levels between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, with diabetics exhibiting higher levels (116.4±21.1 mg/dL vs. 96.7±14.1 mg/dL, P value=0.031).
  • Thyroid hormone levels were significantly altered in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients, with TSH levels lower in diabetics (2.18±0.97 IU/mL vs. 3.05±1.09 IU/mL, P value=0.029), FT3 levels higher (1.81±0.52 pg/mL vs. 1.35±0.25 pg/mL, P value=0.048), and FT4 levels also higher (114±17.7 ng/L vs. 107±18.4 ng/L, P value=0.018).
  • The study demonstrated a negative correlation between TSH and glucose metabolism, as well as positive correlations between T3, T4, and glucose.
  • Additional authors on the research include S. Hussein, P. Kandakurti, H. Osman, A. Mostafa, M. Abdelfatah, A. Alsubhi, A. Algarni, E. Ali, O. Dawod, E. Abdalhabib, R. Babiker, M. Abdelhadi, and A. Alfeel.

Statistics:

  • The study involved 219 participants, with 149 diagnosed with T2DM and 70 non-diabetic patients.
  • The participants were aged 23 to 74 years, with significant differences observed in fasting blood glucose levels between diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
  • Thyroid hormone levels were significantly altered in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients, with TSH levels lower in diabetics (2.18±0.97 IU/mL vs. 3.05±1.09 IU/mL), FT3 levels higher (1.81±0.52 pg/mL vs. 1.35±0.25 pg/mL), and FT4 levels also higher (114±17.7 ng/L vs. 107±18.4 ng/L).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Study Data from Gulf Medical University Update Understanding of Type 2 Diabetes (Serum Tsh, Ft3, Ft4, and Fasting Blood Glucose Levels To Investigate the Association Between Thyroid Dysfunction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus). Diabetes Week. August 18, 2025; p 579.
  • Georgian Medical News, 2025(362):209-213, Serum Tsh, Ft3, Ft4, and Fasting Blood Glucose Levels To Investigate the Association Between Thyroid Dysfunction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

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