Helped Over 500,000 patients with 98%+ satisfaction.

Connect & Get Personalized 1-to-1 Answers from Expert Doctors

DoctorSpring > Question Home

Will HYPOTHYROID mask DIABETES in HB A1C?

Resolved Question:

I'm 27, no high BP, cholesterol levels are good, and had a physical 3 months ago with a fasting blood sugar level of 95. I recently got my insurance back and visited a doctor to treat my hypothyroid and sleep apnea. They did an A1C that came back as 6.0, and said not only am I prediabetic, that my hypothyroid is masking that I'm probably already a diabetic. He recommended metformin and trulicity for weight loss and sent me on my way. I feel like something isn't quite right here-can hypothyroidism mask diabetes? Is it possible the low thyroid is increasing my a1c? Would you typically recommend starting on metformin right away or giving the synthroid time to kick in first? I'm just feeling like this is not the right way to go about this situation, and I'm just looking for extra opinions.

Category: Family Physician-GP

Ask Your Own Question

Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
View Profile
 21 Doctors Online

Expert:  Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
View Profile

Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
Firstly FBS 95 is normal. HBA1c 6.0 is definitely prediabetic state, a caution to the patient, to get on with the lifestyle modification. I disagree with the doctor's theory of hypothyroidism masking diabetes state. There is no relationship between thyroid and sugar levels.
I will ask you to avoid metformin, wait for 3 months, focus on diet and exercise and repeat your FBS, PPBS, HBA1c, and thyroid profile. Then we can base the treatment accordingly.
Hope this was helpful,
Dr. J

Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

Users who read this, also read:

Make informed and better medical decisions.

Get me answers from Doctors now
21 Online Doctor

Join the 500,000 people who found a smarter, quicker way to get Answers, Recommendations & Expert Opinions.

Expert Doctors at fingertips

Recommendation on next step. Second-opinion.Multi-specialty.

Save Time

Average time for answers: 6 hours.

Save Money

$35 for typical specialist consult vs. $120 for a local appointment.

Free Follow-ups

Clarify, ask further questions for free in private conversation.

100% Satisfaction

Money back guarantee for the 1st reply. MEDNET Quality Board.

Start My Consultation

CHAT NOW

About DoctorSpring.com

Doctor Spring is a novel online Doctor consultation platform where you can get your medical questions answered by leading Doctors. Just Submit your question and rest assured that you will consult a Doctor easily. Once you submit the question, the Doctor from the concerned specialty will reply within hours. You can always ask more questions or add details with follow-up question options and make it an online doctor chat. You may use this service to consult a specialty or for getting medical second opinion. All paid services come with a MEDNET quality assurance and 100% money back guarantee.

DoctorSpring in news