Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Insulin resistance improved in dogs with hypothyroidism and diabetes
By Ford, S L et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1993·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Insulin resistance in three dogs with hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs with diabetes and low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) were having trouble managing their blood sugar due to insulin resistance. After starting treatment with a thyroid medication called sodium levothyroxine, their insulin resistance improved significantly. Within two weeks, all three dogs showed signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and their insulin doses were reduced by about 60%. With the lower doses, their blood sugar levels became well-controlled, indicating that treating the hypothyroidism helped resolve their insulin resistance.
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Abstract
Insulin resistance resolved in 3 dogs with hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus after treatment with sodium levothyroxine. A thorough diagnostic evaluation failed to identify any other cause of insulin resistance in these dogs. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in each dog on the basis of clinical signs, physical findings, hyperlipidemia, and results of thyrotropin or thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test. Hypoglycemia was documented in each dog within 2 weeks of starting sodium levothyroxine administration. The insulin dosage was decreased by 60 to 62% during the ensuing months and good glycemic control was obtained at these lower insulin dosages in all dogs. These findings would suggest hypothyroidism-induced insulin resistance in these dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8496104/