• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

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

    read biography
View the Health Heart Book

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

  • Living with diabetes blog

  • July 17, 2009

    Blog: More diabetes myths

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

36 comments posted

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

Hi bloggers. Last week I gave you the first half of my top 10 list of diabetes myths. Here are the final five.

I feel fine, why should I be concerned about my diabetes.

Diabetes generally has no symptoms. At least not until the blood glucose is quite high, and then the symptoms can be rather vague — increased thirst, increased urination and fatigue. A large number of people are walking around with diabetes and are unaware of it. In the long term, consistently elevated blood glucose (above normal range) can cause diabetes complications. Diabetes can be a silent killer. I compare it to having high blood pressure: High blood pressure has no symptoms, but we all know that in the long run uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

I don't need to test my blood glucose; I know my blood glucose level by how I'm feeling.

Many people with diabetes will tell me they instinctively know their blood sugar level by how they feel. While I agree that some people with diabetes seem to be sensitive to changes in their blood glucose levels, research suggests that the majority of people with diabetes cannot accurately judge blood glucose levels. So while some people tell me they don't feel well when their blood glucose is slightly over 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/L), others may have blood glucoses of 350 mg/dl (19.4 mmol/L) and not be aware of it.

If I really take care of myself, always follow my meal plan and exercise faithfully, I can avoid taking diabetes medication.

I wish I could say this is always the case, but I can't. Diabetes is a progressive disease, and multiple factors play a role in its progression. I do feel that in most cases a person can stave off the progression of the disease by good diabetes self-management.

Insulin will make me gain weight.

Being on insulin can make it more of a challenge to lose weight, but it can be done. For many people newly starting insulin, weight gain may be attributed to the fact that insulin helps you use calories that had previously been lost in the urine from high blood glucose levels. Also, people will gain weight from treating frequent low blood glucoses. Insulin resistance can also make it more difficult to lose weight.

If someone is on insulin, they must have type 1 diabetes.

For many people with type 2 or other secondary types of diabetes, insulin is the treatment of choice for controlling their blood glucose. Insulin may be the optimal and safest option for them.

This completes my top 10 list of diabetes myths. I look forward to your comments.

Regards,

Nancy

36 comments posted

blog index

  • December 27, 2011 1:35 p.m.

    What does it mean when my blood sugar spikes in am?

    - Susan

  • July 11, 2011 7:28 p.m.

    I have Type 2 diabetes. I have been taking first Metformin and then Janumet. They were controlling my blodd sugar nicely. But the gastrointestinal side effects were such that my body cannot tolerate the Metformin. It appears that i need more meds. I am allergic to sulfa drugs so my physician says that I have to go on insulin. Are there any other drugs that can be used?

    - Lyn

  • March 22, 2011 12:28 p.m.

    I am sick of the blame game - diabetes causes weight gains and not the person - I have worked hard of 20+ years and have only gained weight when my medications were changed. Insulin is specifically a problem and the medical profession would prefer to blame us than to admit they cannot and will not find a cure as this is a money disease. Please stop saying that weight is causing the diabetes because it is not. I was 150 pounds when diagnosed and now 20 years later I am 220. The meds caused my weight gain. I have been through a lot of different procedures in the process and none have worked for more than a few years. I am type 2 diagnosed when I was 31 years old. Why are you guys so judgemental toward people that trying very hard to get better? The medical system is designed around treatment not cure.

    - Glen

  • March 11, 2011 9:06 a.m.

    I have been thirsty for over a year now. About 3 months into this I went to see a doctor just to be sure. He took a simple blood test and said my blood sugar was normal and basically passed me off. So now about 15 months later the thirst is as persistent as ever and this past weekend I noticed my calves were swollen. I went to a new doctor this morning and she took another blood test and is sending me to an endocrinologist.... I guess my question is, is it possible to make the conection between my symptoms and diabetes even if my blood sugar tested normal? My doctor said the tests can me extensive.

    - Julie

  • February 28, 2011 2:50 p.m.

    I was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic a year and a half ago but I had been sent to the emergency room in 2006 with a blood sugar reading of 47 and during a routine blood test in 2003 my blood sugar was measured at 60. Now my blood sugar fluctuate at times from 500 to 50 in a single day I am wondering if there were early signs missed.

    - Sam

  • February 18, 2011 7:00 a.m.

    I am diabetic & hav bn on Metformin-1000 SR daily. I find my glucose level fluctuating wth 146mg one day & 179 (both fasting readings) the nxt day wth no change in diet & exercise pattern. Cd u tell me wat cd b causig it? Thanx

    - Anushua

  • February 3, 2011 10:13 p.m.

    Diabetes will never be cured as the drug companies make billions off of treating - they will buy any cure and destroy it. Just as GM bought the 50 mph carb to keep gas selling. It is sad that we will continually be at the drug companies control as they will not allow a cure to be published.

    - Glen

  • January 29, 2011 1:57 p.m.

    Jane, that person with Type 1 diabetes needs to do some research. Type 2 diabetics do not need to get that rap. I have type 2 diabetes. I am NOT overweight. I weigh 145 and am 5'6" tall. I do not have a bunch of medical problems. I don't overeat. My body just does not know how to use the insulin it produces properly. Have him/her check the MayoClinic website and see what they have to say about Type 2 diabetes. Tell him/her to tell her doctor her wrong theory of Type 2 diabetes and see what he/she tells him/her. I find this statement to be a great insult to those of us with Type 2 diabetes and are suffering, are not able to enjoy ourselves at parties and family get togethers as they are always centered around the food, have to constantly be concerned about the future, etc. We do have diabetes and all the health problems and concerns associated with it, as well as the social stigma that is thrust upon us from people like this person.

    - Cindi

  • January 17, 2011 6:39 p.m.

    Someone with type 1 diabetes told me that there really isn't a type 2...that Dr.s use this term for people who are obese and have developed medical problems. that if I would just stop eating so much, and lose weight, I wouldn't be "diabetic". She's upset, because she says "type 2" is taking funding away from the real diabetes cure. Pleas respond.

    - Jane

  • January 12, 2011 4:08 p.m.

    I think that another myth regarding diabetes is the "if I eat too much candy (or other high sugar) foods,I will get diabetes. True or false?

    - Keith

  • December 4, 2010 6:51 p.m.

    Hi everybody. I am a 42 year old female. I writing because I have been reading several of the post and I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I am very confused. In Sept of this year I went to see an endocrinologist for feeling very exhausted off and on after taking a hydrocortisol shot for allergies. I thought it was my thyroid or hormones. She took an A1C test on a hunch. The results were 6.4. I asked her if I was diabetic and she said yes. I asked her if I was type 1 or 2. She said I looked like I was type 1. I recently lost over 151lbs rapidly and unvountarily in June, from 155 to 135. I am assuming because I switched from pasta to whole grains, fruits, etc .She then took a metabolic panel. fasting glucose was 87. lipids all in normal range. GAD was .8. From this she said I was officially now a Type 1. Problem is I went to get a second opinion this endocrinologist stated I didnt have diabetes at all from what she could see!!! I dont know who to believe. I do have to admit. I must eat every 3-5 hours and I must have some sort of low sugar in order to get rid of what I call brain fog almost daily. no other symptoms. I am not on any type of insulin or medication and my blood pressure is 135/80. thanks

    - linnette

  • September 1, 2010 8:45 a.m.

    I am a type II diabetic and I know the benefits of exercise. What about type I diabetes? Does exercise help?

    - Vern

  • August 11, 2010 12:49 a.m.

    Why is Starlix contraindicated for type 1 diabetics

    - Joanne

  • June 25, 2010 11:00 a.m.

    I heard from a Dr. they are finding out different things about diabetes and are more concerned about high blood pressure and high colestrol;(sorry about the spelling) and not so much about blood sugars.

    - Joan

  • June 23, 2010 12:23 a.m.

    Thank you very much for discussing this topic as am one of those struggling with diabetes. I will be with you through out this month to learn more. It all started as gestational but didnt go with my second child. I am struggling to increase weight just a bit but its going lower many times. What do i do. Am quite keen on my diet and quantity.

    - Frashiah

  • June 1, 2010 6:14 p.m.

    Are there genetic factors associated with diabetes 2? What are the origins of RNA/DNA mutations in Diabetics? If so, what role do they play in the disease? Has there been any progess in the field of stem cell implants and Diabeties treatment? If i eat the same meal as a non diabetic why are our blood readings different? Am I bigge because I have diabetes or do I have diabetes because I am bigger? If I lose the weight will I lose the diabetes? Does taking Insulin increase my quality of life?

    - Ray

  • April 28, 2010 7:39 a.m.

    I have type one diabetes and have had since i was 8 yrs of age, i am now 40yrs. And i must say the comment that was made on losing weight I was 10 st 7 ibs yet I managed to loose weight to a healthy 9 st with no problems I dont think it causes problems at all!!! People need to remember they control the diabetes, the diabetes doesnt control them .

    - Lisa

  • April 17, 2010 5:58 p.m.

    Questioning..For ppl,who have diabetes,do they really have mood swings? I heard so but is it a myth?

    - Ney

  • April 9, 2010 1:24 p.m.

    Since 1969 type 1 diabetes has affected my daily life. Ignorance of others has to be accepted. Learning my body's response to foods, emotions, menstrual cycles, and all exercise has kept me ALIVE hence I know that I AM WINNING. Trial and error teach more than medical theories. Don't make the same mistake twice. Live and learn. Train friends to notice what you might miss. Make plans for every possible occasion. Multiple (costly) tests are done to verify where our blood glucose level actually is. Eating healthful foods in modest amounts keeps us from getting too fat or aggrivating our other organs. Water is cheap and necessary in every human body, drink MORE water. Routine exercise helps keep our chin up when our body wants to lie down. Doing similar actions day after day helps our bodies align to the standards we set as our ideals. Goals can be accomplished only if they are realistically set. "It is a wise man who learns from the experience of others" and "Knowledge is useless unless shared."

    - Beulah

  • March 23, 2010 6:11 p.m.

    You really got me scared. I hoped I could live with diabetes but according to your position, I am in death row. Your comments are quite discouraging if, as you stated, diabetes is a progressive illness and no mattor how good you behave, your world is doomed.

    - Orlando

  • February 26, 2010 6:24 p.m.

    One of the biggest myths about Type 1 diabetes is that it is a childhood disease. This dangerous myth means that many adults with new-onset Type 1 diabetes are misdiagnosed as having Type 2 diabetes, and given inappropriate care for the disease they have. Since the 1980s the autoimmune nature of Type 1a diabetes has been known, and antibody testing (glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA), islet cell antibodies (ICA), and insulinoma-associated (IA-2) autoantibodies) has been the gold standard for the diagnosis of Type 1a diabetes. In numerous scientific studies, approximately 10% of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes were found to be antibody positive and in fact had Type 1a diabetes, sometimes called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) or Type 1.5. In a recent survey conducted by Australia’s Type 1 Diabetes Network, one third of all Australians with Type 1 diabetes reported being initially misdiagnosed as having the more common Type 2 diabetes. In a recent dLife poll (dlife.com), 13% of respondents said that they initially had been misdiagnosed as having Type 2 diabetes when in fact they have Type 1 diabetes.

    - Melitta

  • February 7, 2010 8:32 p.m.

    Is it possible for a person orginally diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic become a Type 1 Diabetic and if so HOW???

    - Rebecca

  • January 7, 2010 8:38 p.m.

    iam at a very confused point, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two yesrs ago at the age of 50 . for no apparent reason I started to lose weight at a rapid pace, was very thirsty, urinated contantly, dry mouth , vag itch etc, Dr. took blood samples said your type 1, took oral meds worked well sugar levels were very low, gained weight back, felt great. now sugar very high 350-490 even without food, weight 112, 5 3 inches, iam I in menopause, sweats, almost every hour, then chills?? is menopase making sugar high?? My Question if a person can have gestational diabetes, then can a person also get temporary diabetes while menopausel?? Also no family history of diabetes at all.thank you

    - karen

  • January 4, 2010 2:36 p.m.

    Could you please give us the latest news on Lantus (Lantis)? Are there alternative drugs when one is taking Novolog and Lantus?

    - Sharon

  • December 12, 2009 12:58 p.m.

    Regarding testing ones self via for glucose levels, I never test myself because if my glucose levels were high, what would/could I do about it? In the beginning when I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I tested myself several times a day for about 6 months recording every result correlated with what I ate and how much I exercised. Now I never test myself anymore. I follow a plan I developed for myself and the result is that my A1C remains at 6.0 or lower. I see no need to resume daily testing until the A1C begins rising. This works for me but each person needs to determine what works for them.

    - Ed

Post a comment
Next page

  • Page:

  • 1
  • 2

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger