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    Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • Living with diabetes blog

  • Aug. 4, 2011

    Blog: Top 10 diabetes myths

    By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

224 comments posted

Controlling Your Diabetes

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This blog is the first in a two-part series in which we discuss the top 10 diabetes myths.

Hello, bloggers. I've been looking at articles from a number of popular diabetes magazines and other resources about diabetes myths. Each one seems to have its own list of the top five or 10 diabetes myths.

I decided to develop my own list of the top 10 diabetes myths that I've heard as a diabetes educator at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. I'll reveal five this week, five next week.

Here goes (drum roll).

I have borderline diabetes or just a touch of diabetes.

Either you have it or you don't. Two fasting blood sugar readings over 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L); a random blood glucose over 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L); or an A1C of 6.5 percent or higher are all considered diabetes.

I don't know why I got diabetes, I never eat sweets.

Just about everything you eat is converted into glucose — sugar — so for most people with type 2 diabetes, what you eat is not as important as how much you eat. When you overeat, you're adding extra calories your body doesn't need for energy, so your body will convert these extra calories into fat. Being overweight is a predisposing factor for developing diabetes. 

I can't eat carbohydrates; it makes my blood sugars go high.

Of course they do — even people who don't have diabetes will see an elevation in their blood glucose after eating. Carbohydrates should be approximately 50 percent of your daily food intake each day. Carbohydrates are your fuel, without them you will have little energy.

If I have to go on insulin; that must mean my diabetes is really bad.

You know, insulin has gotten a bad rap through the years. It's the blood glucose control that determines whether you go on insulin; if diet alone or diet along with oral or noninsulin-injectable diabetes medication(s) is not controlling the blood glucose, insulin is necessary.

Insulin causes complications of diabetes.

Again, insulin has gotten a bad rap. Insulin is a natural hormone and is probably one of the safest medications around. Insulin helps control the blood glucose, which in turn slows down or prevents diabetes complications.

Your thoughts? What are some of the diabetes myths you have come across?

Have a great week,

Nancy

224 comments posted

blog index

  • July 15, 2010 6:02 p.m.

    My personal favorite is the one where the uneducated person is trying to tell me that MY diabetes is just like "so and so's" diabetes. NOTHING CAN BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!! What works for one DOES NOT NECESSARILY work for all!

    - Cynthia

  • July 12, 2010 1:25 p.m.

    Michelle, a random blood sugar greater than 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol) is indicative of diabetes. We recommend following up with your provider.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • July 11, 2010 5:59 p.m.

    My girlfriend of three years has been diabetic since she was eleven and i still know little to nothing about it she doesnt have insurance and does anyone have any numbers or tips to help me?

    - Mr. Anderson

  • July 9, 2010 3:06 p.m.

    if you don't have diabetes and eat a lot of sweets will you get a higher than normal glucose reading right after you eat.

    - brenda

  • June 29, 2010 5:30 p.m.

    The biggest and most damaging myth is that diabetes is a "fat person's disease;" this particular misunderstanding creates a sentiment that diabetics deserve their diagnosis because of weight/unhealthy food issues. I am a type 2 diabetic and was not overweight, nor did I just sit around and eat junk before or after diagnosis. I am not am not an "exception to a rule" either. Consider this: If being overweight is the rule then why isn't every overweight person on the planet diabetic? Because it is simply untrue.

    - Sarah

  • June 22, 2010 2:28 p.m.

    I read the blog about the woman whos Renal failure was from the insulin intake that she had done for many years? I hear so many things.....does anyone know the "Real Facts" by cases of the long term effects of taking insulin...I take 65 I.U. of 70/30... 2x daily and have a hard time regulating...only way I can, is eat nothing...everything , even foods on LGI. DR. mentioned I should be on one that regulates all day lond, but can't afford..it is around 85.00 a bottle.

    - Pat

  • June 19, 2010 4:33 p.m.

    Prediabetes is a recognized medical condition. It did indeed used to be called borderline diabetes, but the name was changed to reflect new knowledge. So, it isn't correct that you either have it or not. A person can have mild type 2 diabetes, controlable by diet, and another that needs insulin. So not all cases of diabetes are alike!!!

    - Julee

  • June 17, 2010 2:57 p.m.

    I don't agree with your statements about insulin in regard to type II diabetes. New research is being conducted that suggests an over excretion of insulin may be the root cause of obesity (rather than obesity being the cause of insulin resistance). Studies have shown that children with elevated fasting insulin levels have a very high likelihood of becoming obese as they mature. “Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease” states that “Glucose is transported across the cell membranes of adipocytes (fat cells), and its rate of transport can be speeded up by 20- to 30-fold within 2 or 3 minutes by addition of insulin”. It wasn't that long ago that insulin injections were used to fatten up “chronically under weight individuals” and at one time was prescribed as a cure for anorexia. Research has also shown a link between high insulin levels and CHD. So to make a claim that insulin “ is probably one of the safest medications around” is a little off the mark.

    - Jimmy

  • June 16, 2010 3:35 p.m.

    I disagree with your recommendation for 50% carbs in your daily diet. Yes carbs make everyone's bgl raise; however, some of us are super sensitive. For example, one serving of oatmeal will spike me 190 points over my premeal level. Breads, even your so called healthy whole grain/wheat bread will spike me 90 points with just one piece. I eat about 20% carbs, 30% protein and 50% fats (I am not afraid of butter and animal fats but generally try to use the "heart healthy" fats as much as possible). I have a ton of energy, I don't feel hungry and the weight melts off me. I am not the only diabetic who goes with a low carb diet and the ones I know have had fantastic results. I am able to consistently keep my bgl's below 130 2hPP and between 80 and 90 most of the rest of the day. If I ate more carbs, I could never manage my numbers like that! I think the myth is the recommendation to eat 50% carbs a day or you won't have energy!

    - Joan

  • June 14, 2010 4:08 p.m.

    I'm am type 2 diatbetic on 20 insulin. I know I need to watch carbs and sugar but does it mean I need to never eat sugar? Dr. just said to eat a healthy diet? I forgot to be specific when I asked...... thanks,

    - carol

  • June 11, 2010 5:52 p.m.

    my dr just told me that I have diabetes but did not go into a lot of detail- my blood sugar came back at 6.6 after my blood test- can someone help me understand this- do i have diabetes? thanks

    - mendy

  • June 11, 2010 11:43 a.m.

    My mum has diabetes type 2, and is just recovering from Acute Renal Failure, they are more than sure it was caused by simvastatin 80mg which she had been on for a number of years. Is it possible I will inherit diabetes from here ? Also I done a random reading on myself and it read 11.8 ? I collapsed yesterday and have just recently had bloods done, just waiting on results. I dont eat a normal diet, I eat one bowl of dry cereal, have about 4 milky coffees each day and drink Fresh Orange all the time. My only fear is I dont want to become too ill to take proper care of my mum. She has been through a lot over the years. Any answers would be so appreciated. I feel so alone and scared.

    - Michelle

  • June 11, 2010 9:32 a.m.

    I HAVE TYPE 2 DIABETES NOW,BUT NEVER DID HAVE IT BE FOR I QUIT SMOKING.ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO I HAD AN OPERATION TO REMOVE MY PROSTATE AND I QUIT SMOKING AT THE SAME TIME.THEN I DEVELOPED DIABETES.CAN YOU GIVE ME A CLUE AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED?this same thing happened to my brother after he guit smoking.none of the rest of my family has diabetes My question is has a study been run on people that has quit smoking to see what happenes to a body after someone quits smoking.i smoked for 60 years,i'm sure that something happenes to the body with this sudden change of not getting this nicotine.can this cause your blood sugar to go up?

    - RICHARD

  • June 10, 2010 4:48 p.m.

    Is Type 2 Diabetes genetic. Have researchers found the gene that confirms you will get Type 2 Diabetes?

    - Valerie

  • May 30, 2010 4:36 p.m.

    What about Ice tea (black) w/ no sweetners of any kind?

    - Bill Hargraves

  • May 25, 2010 8:59 p.m.

    how does agent orange cause diabetes I have read type 1 can be caused by a toxin theva only admits to type 2

    - bud

  • May 13, 2010 1:46 p.m.

    Would there be any difficulties getting pregnant if iam diabetic

    - Marcia

  • May 13, 2010 12:08 p.m.

    Can one have kids when they are diabetic?

    - paula

  • May 12, 2010 1:50 p.m.

    David: Generally, if you have good blood glucose control you should be able to have children. It is especially important for women to have good control before and during pregnancy to minimize complications to baby and mother.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • May 9, 2010 4:31 a.m.

    Am diabetes can i still have children

    - david

  • April 26, 2010 4:29 p.m.

    Art, the opposite is true about insulin. Insulin helps control your blood glucose and good blood glucose control helps prevent diabetes complications.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • April 26, 2010 4:27 p.m.

    Clairine, generally Metformin is not recommended for advanced degrees of congestive heart failure.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • April 23, 2010 1:38 a.m.

    I can't think of any myth questions, but I have just been diagnosed with diabetes. The nurse called and said the doctor wanted me to start taking Metformin. I used the computer and read up on Metformin and Congestive Heart Failure popped up. I also have the fibilization problem. I am worried about taking Metformin

    - Clairine

  • April 20, 2010 12:18 p.m.

    i recently got on insulin. Everyone tells me insulin makes you lose your vision faster. What are the side effects if any?

    - art

  • April 15, 2010 1:07 p.m.

    Have been fortunate enought to control my diabetes through eating raw and vegan, as well as exercise. Got some great tips from this MayoClinic site, as well as some others such as Raw-Food-Repair.com

    - Bonnie

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