Hello,
I also had a total Thyroidectomy many years ago (and have not been the same since...major weight gain as well), and then ended up getting Type 2 Diabetes. I don't know the answer as to whether the first caused the second, but I would also like to know, and to hear from others who suffer with both. I feel like we are living a never-ending balancing act! It's a "new normal" for us.
I came down with Hepatitis A several years ago from bad shellfish. That attacked my liver and threw me into liver failure! But that's not really my point....My point is that those things caused my blood sugar to go over 600 and my thyroid hormones to go off the charts!!! In other words, a completely separate illness that should have been manageable, almost killed me because of the other conditions (diabetes and lack of thyroid)!!
I am constantly checking my blood sugar and having my A1C checked. And for the most part, I have felt somewhat ill, in pain (neuropathy, fibro which developed after thyroidectomy, frequent brain fog, weakness and often somewhat lousy infor a decade now). On good days, I'm a 6 or 7 out of 10. This combo of no thyroid and diabetes has also affected my mental health.
How I manage, and have improved the quality of my life is that I went on an antidepressant (depression is a known side effect of both conditions). I also research and take various supplements which have helped strengthen my immune system, heart, digestion, and mental clarity. I try to maintain a lower carb diet. No added salt on anything. No fried foods, no bread, and limited sweets. Cutting down on artificial sweeteners helps me to feel better too. I get more sleep, like 9 or 10 hours per night, and nap when I feel the need. Try to avoid stress and things that I know will trigger me (like certain people, topics or activities I'm not fond of). I just have to be more careful with "me". I look out for my needs more than ever before. My husband and daughter are great at helping me with that and being supportive. Having family or friends who love, try to understand and accept you unconditionally is very beneficial. If someone doesnt have that, there are support groups for both conditions as well as mental health support groups. Some kind of support is vital.
I'd like to hear from others who are living their lives with diabetes and a total Thyroidectomy.