Interrelationships between the pancreas and the thyroid.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review advances in understanding of the relationships between the thyroid gland and endocrine function of the pancreas.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advances reviewed here are the association of certain thyroid diseases with diabetes mellitus, the possible contribution of insulin resistance to thyroid pathology, insulin and glucose metabolism in states of thyroid dysfunction and insulin requirements in diabetic patients with thyroid disease.

SUMMARY: Appreciation of associations between the functions of the thyroid gland and endocrine pancreas provides certain insights into clinical management of these conditions.