CARBOHYDRATE METABOLIC DISTURBANCES IN HYPERTHYROIDISM.

Twenty five hyperthyroid patients and 25 healthy volunteers were evaluated for carbohydrate metabolic disturbance with an oral glucose tolerance test and glycosylated haemoglobin percentage. Insulin secretory response was studied in 17 hyperthyroids and 10 controls. A varying degree of abnormality was noted in hyperthyroids. Forty per cent patients had a significantly higher glycosylated haemoglobin and 3 (12%) patients had impaired glucose tolerance and 1 (4%) patient had frank diabetes mellitus. Significant hyperinsulinism was seen in the hyperthyroid group. Our data suggests that carbohydrate metabolic aberration exists in hyperthyroids and may reflect insulin resistance.