Diabetes and hyperthyroidism: any influence?

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Steph & Quintus & L & O, Dec 13, 2017.

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  1. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    Dec 9, 2017
    Has the FDMB got any wisdom regarding how other health conditions impact the ability to regulate diabetes, in particular regarding hyperthyroidism? Does it make them harder to regulate, or does it not change anything?
     
  2. LaraB

    LaraB Member

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    Dec 5, 2015
    Bumping this up for you. My sugarcat was just diagnosed hyperthyroid so I would be interested in seeing answers as well.
     
    Becky & Baby Girl GA likes this.
  3. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    Hi Stephanie,

    I'm tagging member @Beth 73 for you. Elmo (a.k.a. the Buddha Kitteh) has been treated for FD and hyperthyroidism; maybe Beth'll be able to give you some input based on their experiences.


    Mogs
    .
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2017
  4. Becky & Baby Girl GA

    Becky & Baby Girl GA Well-Known Member

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    Sep 15, 2017
    I just looked this up because I was interested. I lost a kitty in August (17.5 yrs) due to cancer, nothing to do with her being hyperthyroid. She was diagnosed at age 12 (most are diagnosed between 10-12) was controlled with medication. She was not my diabetic kitty I found this on the vetsulin web site so... hope it’s true & makes sense.

    If your cat is hyperthyroid first, you will probably have started therapy and gotten the thyroid hormone levels near normal. Then if the cat then becomes diabetic, the hyperthyroidism (which is controlled) probably won't play a major role in the diabetes management.

    The situation is a bit more complicated if the cat is diabetic, then becomes hyperthyroid too. Since hyperthyroidism has similar signs as diabetes (increased appetite, drinking, urination, and weight loss), a cat that is diabetic who continues to show these signs may be thought of as just needing additional diabetes management care. But the possibility of hyperthyroidism should not be overlooked. Since hyperthyroidism causes a general increase in the body's metabolic rate, it will have an effect on the diabetes and diabetes management. Often, a cat that is hyperthyroid requires higher doses of insulin in order to maintain the blood glucose levels near normal. As the hyperthyroidism is brought under control, the metabolism slows to a more normal rate, and the insulin dose needs to be adjusted. Pre-existing diabetes will probably have an effect on which hyperthyroid treatment option is used.
    I’ll be interested to see if this is what others experienced.
     
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  5. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    A thought: has your vet done a thorough heart exam? Hyper-T kitties are prone to heart issues because of the extra strain on their systems.


    Mogs
    .
     
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  6. Beth 73

    Beth 73 Well-Known Member

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    Aug 2, 2016
    Hi Stephanie ! As Mogs said, Elmo was hyperthyroid for 3 years before diabetes. Vet was controlling with y/d Science Diet which I believe contributed to his diabetes( high carb) . They took him off yd when diagnosed with diabetes and once BG regulated we started giving methimazole , 2.5 mg twice daily ( other options were not workable for him) . Once we got his thyroid regulated his BG regulated as well .

    As always, ECID, but in Elmo’s case getting his thyroid under control helped his BG numbers . Hope this helps .
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2017
  7. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Feb 28, 2012
    HyperT kitties can be harder to regulate, but it's still possible. I remember one member with an OTJ kitty on hyperT meds, but when kitty needed a hyperT med change, he had to go back on the juice. And once he was stable, got back in remission. So, just as Beth says, get your kitty stable regarding the thyroid, and it'll help with getting him regulated.
     
  8. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    Dec 9, 2017
    Thyroid was diagnosed a month or so before FD, and is normally under control.
     
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  9. LaraB

    LaraB Member

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    Dec 5, 2015
    Joshi has been on transdermal methimazole for about 10 days now. Her preshot numbers have been kind of high until tonight. She read at 97 - scared me a bit because I couldn't get a midway reading today, so I hope she didn't go low (word of note - I often forget to put those on the spreadsheet). She seems okay thank goodness, but definitely no insulin tonight. I did read that cats who were diagnosed diabetic before their HT diagnosis sometimes have their bg's drop, though. Not that Joshi's been terribly hard to regulate (and thankfully hasn't developed any complications), but I'm crossing fingers the HT meds will make it easier. Plus, so far I haven't noticed any major side effects.
     
  10. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    @LaraB -

    Are you applying the transdermal methimazole to Joshi's ear(s)? And are you testing BG from the ear? If yes to both, have you noticed whether the transdermal is having any impact on BG readings?


    Mogs
    .
     
  11. LaraB

    LaraB Member

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    Dec 5, 2015
    I'm wondering if it does, as I am applying it to her ears. I can't say the readings overall have been impacted - they've been reading slightly higher, but not anything dramatic. Though last night was a shock. I even tested the other ear to confirm. My mom was the one who gave Joshi her insulin yesterday morning - I asked if she gave her the normal amount (2.5U) and she swears she did. I'm kind of wondering if she accidentally misread the markings on the syringe and gave her 3.5 or something. Not like her to make that kind of mistake, but who knows? She read at 228 this morning after not giving her insulin last night. She bounced up to 408 tonight - halfway expected that because that seems to be her pattern when she throws a lower preshot reading.

    Stephanie - sorry we kind of hijacked your thread. :oops:
     
  12. Steph & Quintus & L & O

    Steph & Quintus & L & O Well-Known Member

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    Dec 9, 2017
    No worries, that's what forum discussions are for!

    I started out with the transdermal stuff for Quintus but he so HATED me rubbing into his ears that I went for the pills instead. He's easy to pill and they're much cheaper. (We were initially given the transdermal stuff because he was already swallowing so many meds...)
     
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  13. LaraB

    LaraB Member

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    Dec 5, 2015
    Did you notice any difference between the transdermal and pills in terms of BG numbers?
     
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