This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Why Some May Avoid Type 1 Diabetes Complications
Researchers Say More Than Just Blood Sugar Control May Be at Work for Some Patients
Reviewed by
Laura J. Martin, MD
March 29, 2011 -- After years of living with diabetes, complications can occur, including problems affecting the eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves.
However, some type 1 diabetes ''veterans'' seem to escape many or most of these diabetes complications, according to a new study.
''This study clearly demonstrates and documents that there can be a large number of people who can go a very, very long time with type 1 diabetes and not suffer with dire complications," says researcher George L. King, MD, chief scientific officer at Joslin Diabetes Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
The study is published in Diabetes Care.
Explaining why is not simple, however. In the study, being free or nearly free of complications didn't correlate directly with control of blood sugar, King says.
He isn't discounting the importance of blood sugar control. It's shown to reduce the risk of complications. However, his study suggests other mechanisms may help explain the protection from complications he found in some.
Protection From Diabetes Complications
King studied 351 so-called medalists who had received medals from Joslin Diabetes Center after living with type 1 diabetes for 50 years. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce adequate insulin to control blood sugar. In type 2 diabetes, the body may not produce enough insulin or insulin resistance occurs where the body does not respond normally to insulin.
Insulin moves glucose into the cells, where it's used for energy.
The participants' average age was nearly 68. They were about 11 at the time of diagnosis.
King's team looked at common complications, including eye problems known as retinopathy, nerve problems or neuropathies, kidney problems or nephropathies, and cardiovascular disease.
They found that:
- 43% did not have advanced diabetic eye complications.
- 87% were free of kidney disease.
- 39% did not have nerve disease.
- 52% did not have cardiovascular disease.
''Overall, about 20% do not have any eye, kidney, or nerve disease," King tells WebMD.
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Is This Normal?
Get the Facts Fast!Answer:
Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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