- Participants’ knowledge regarding thyroid disorders in diabetes mellitus patients (N=411).
| Manifestations of thyroid disorders | Yes | No | Neutral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothyroidism affects the level of cholesterol in the blood | 224 (54.5) | 79 (19.2) | 108 (26.3) |
| A weak thyroid gland leads to heart disease | 209 (50.9) | 90 (21.9) | 112 (27.3) |
| Is there a relationship between diabetes and thyroid disorders? | 211 (51.3) | 96 (23.4) | 104 (25.3) |
| Is hypothyroidism hereditary? | 179 (43.6) | 143 (34.8) | 89 (21.7) |
| Fatigue and drowsiness are symptoms of thyroid disorders | 305 (74.2) | 47 (11.4) | 59 (14.4) |
| Sudden weight gain is a symptom of thyroid disorders | 308 (74.9) | 47 (11.4) | 56 (13.6) |
| Dry skin and hair are symptoms of thyroid disorders | 267 (65.0) | 64 (15.6) | 80 (19.5) |
| Did you know that thyroid disorders are associated with serious outcomes for the mother and fetus, when left untreated? | 268 (65.2) | 78 (19.0) | 65 (15.8) |
| Did you know that thyroid disorder is linked to iodine deficiency? | 227 (55.2) | 97 (23.6) | 87 (21.2) |
| Did you know that thyroid disorders can occur when taking certain medications or after undergoing surgery? | 211 (51.3) | 110 (26.8) | 90 (21.9) |
| The association between diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders results from several biochemical, genetic, and hormonal malfunctions. | 195 (47.4) | 82 (20.0) | 134 (32.6) |
| Diabetes and thyroid disorders have similar signs and symptoms, such as edema, fatigue, paleness, and weight gain. | 251 (61.1) | 69 (16.8) | 91 (22.1) |
| The combination of diabetes and thyroid disorders can mask early diabetes complications | 195 (47.4) | 85 (20.7) | 131 (31.9) |
| Diabetes treatment can worsen thyroid disorder | 148 (36.0) | 115 (28.0) | 148 (36.0) |
| Antithyroid medications can worsen blood sugar control | 174 (42.3) | 84 (20.4) | 153 (37.2) |
| Diabetes affects thyroid function by altering the level of thyroid hormone and impairing the conversion of thyroid hormone to triiodothyronine in peripheral tissues. | 190 (46.2) | 63 (15.3) | 158 (38.4) |
| The effectiveness of thyroid hormone therapy may be affected in hypothyroid patients with coexisting diabetes | 175 (42.6) | 77 (18.7) | 159 (38.7) |
| There may be an increased incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer among women with diabetes | 171 (41.6) | 84 (20.4) | 156 (38.0) |
| Medications taken for diabetes, thyroid disorder, and other comorbidities can alter thyroid function or blood sugar control in people who live with diabetes and thyroid disorder. | 184 (44.8) | 70 (17.0) | 157 (38.2) |
| An unrecognized thyroid disorder can worsen blood sugar control and increase cardiovascular risks in diabetes. | 188 (45.7) | 72 (17.5) | 151 (36.7) |
| The effect of thyroid hormone in the digestive tract is to increase glucose absorption | 181 (44.0) | 77 (18.7) | 153 (37.2) |
| The effect of thyroid hormone on the liver: increased gluconeogenesis in the liver | 176 (42.8) | 75 (18.2) | 160 (38.9) |
| The effect of thyroid hormone on adipose tissue is to increase lipolysis, increase fatty acids in plasma. | 179 (43.6) | 71 (17.3) | 161 (39.2) |
| The effect of thyroid hormone on muscles is to increase glucose uptake | 181 (44.0) | 70 (17.0) | 160 (38.9) |
| The effect of thyroid hormone on pancreatic beta cells is to increase insulin secretion | 187 (45.5) | 71 (17.3) | 153 (37.2) |
Values are presented as numbers and percentages (%).