Diabetes Monitor - Is It Possible For An Adult Onset Diabetic To Later Become Insulin Dependent?

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Publication Date: 11/8/2005

Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.

Question

Is it possible for an Adult Onset Diabetic who was initially treated with oral medicine to later become insulin dependant and have no insulin production of their own?

Answer

It is very common for adults with diabetes to initially be treated with oral medication and then require insulin after some period of time. One possibility is that they had a slow evolving form of type 1 diabetes. Initially the pancreas is able to produce enough insulin with a little help from oral medication, but eventually there is enough damage that insulin is needed. The more common scenario is that the pancreas initially is able to produce the extra insulin needed in type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance) but eventually "wears out" and additional insulin is needed. One of the approaches to prevent type 2 diabetes is to "rest the pancreas" by using lifestyle or medication interventions to lower the insulin needed to control the blood sugar. Your pancreas may produce some insulin now but needs additional insulin to control the blood sugar. If the sugar is controlled then you have accomplished your goal.

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