Actually, I might even ask for females who had not gone through menopause when they were diagnosed.

Here's my situation:

In addition to being diabetic, I also have hypothyroidism. When my medication was being adjusted, it was nearly impossible to keep my blood sugar stable. I finally found a dosage that worked and I now take 175 mcg of levothyroxine.

However, I remember before I got medication for my thyroid, the times before my period were worse than the rest of the month, as far as hypo symptoms went. Now, I'm a little more tired the 3 days before my period and the first 2 days of my period. In addition, though, my blood sugar seems out of control.

I don't eat any differently (I analyzed everything a couple of months ago to make sure I wasn't binge eating or something) than I do at other times of the month, so it's not from over eating. I can eat the exact same thing and get a totally whacked out reading. For example, I usually have 1/2 oat bran for breakfast. This usually results in a post prandial blood sugar of 97. For those 5 days, my post prandial blood sugar is anywhere from 179-208.

My question is: Does this happen to other diabetic women who do not have thyroid trouble? Or is it just the extra estrogen (or some hormone) that causes the thyroid medicine to not work as well? My understanding is that extra estrogen can affect the binding of the T4 and T3, causing less to be available for use. If less thyroid hormone is available, my metabolism slows down, making it harder for my body to process glucose.

I will probably ask my doctor at my next visit, but I was just wondering if it happened to others, from a first person point of view.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Karen

From what I have heard anecdotally, and also what I was told when I was at the Joslin many years ago, the fluctuation in hormones just prior to menstruation can, indeed, cause major fluctuations in blood glucose levels, even in women with normal thyroids.

I've also heard of some women who get fluctuations instead mid-cycle, when they ovulate, but that seems to be less common.

Ruth

Thank you for your response. I've been wondering for a while if it happens because of my thyroid or because of the hormonal fluctuations themselves.

Do you know what you are supposed to do during these times? Just go with the flow and eat normally? Or should I actually adjust my diet to try to keep my blood sugar under control during that time?

Karen

Karen,
If you're not on any medication or insulin for the diabetes, then I would try to eat lower-carb those days. More protein, way lower carbs.

I've got an excellent recipe for mini-quiches (adapted from South Beach diet), that are easy to make, can be stored in the freezer, and are only 4 grams of carb for two of them:

1 15. oz box of Eggbeaters, Southwestern Style.
1 1/2 cups low-fat shredded cheese (I like the Sargento low-fat Mexican blend).
2 10-oz pkgs. frozen chopped broccoli (either nuke for 2 minutes to defrost, or
defrost in refrigerator for 24 hours)...squeeze excess water out with paper
towels.

Mix all ingredients together. Place foil muffin cups in 2 12-cup muffin tins; spray cups lightly with Pam or other oil spray. Place 1 heaping tablespoon mix in each cup (if you have left-over, fill cups a bit more). Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool, then store in zip-loc baggies in freezer.

To reheat...if frozen, nuke for 2 minutes; if not frozen, nuke for 1 minute.

These are fantastic to have around for those days when you need a quick breakfast that's low carb. I add a 4-oz can of Tomato Juice (7 g carbs), and I've got an 11-g carb brakfast.

Ruth

I have a similar problem but it seems to last longer and longer.( I have had thyroid issues in the past but my thyroid is normal now.)

My gyn explained that the first half of your cycle (the follicular phase) is when estrogen is the dominant hormone. Estrogen actually assists in insulin absorption. The luteal phase (from ovulation until menstruation) is when the dominant hormone is progesterone, which can interfere with insulin absorption. I have a huge problem with this time of the month. My sugars start to increase day by day and are really high like the 4 days before my period; so I take more basal (Lantus) insulin. I also need to take more fast acting, too. Then all of a sudden, a day before I start my period, my sugar drops dramatically, and I have to lower my dosage. It's difficult for me now because I'm 45 and my cycles are starting to get screwy so it's hard for me to tell when this is going to happen.

I know quite a few diabetic women and most of them have no problem at all, but one has a big problem just like I do.

This problem is the only reason I can't wait until menopause. But I betcha I'll be sorry I said that!

Good luck, hang in there.

Oh, my, those sound wonderful!! I think I'm going to try that with Spinach, too. I never thought about making quiches with Egg Beaters. I make just about everything else with them.

Thanks for the reply and the recipe! I'm going to write it on an index card for safe keeping in my box.