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Am i dependant?

L

lynbrown

Well-Known Member
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I am T2, taking Metformin and insulin. Does that make me insulin dependant? I wouldn't die if I got stuck somewhere with no insulin would I?
 
"Insulin dependant" is an old term for T1 diabetics which is no longer used. As such, debating whether you depend on insulin is maybe not that helpful.

Generally speaking, T2s make insulin but not enough to move all glucose out of the bloodstream (causing damage to blood vessels and all sorts of nasty complications) but there is usually enough insulin to prevent cells from starving (and thus preventing DKA and immediate death].
 
AlexMBrennan said:
Generally speaking, T2s make insulin but not enough to move all glucose out of the bloodstream (causing damage to blood vessels and all sorts of nasty complications) but there is usually enough insulin to prevent cells from starving (and thus preventing DKA and immediate death].
Click to expand...

Well controlled T2 is the cause of no complications.

FB
 
Hi Nomistheman I'm not sure about Lyn but I was diagnosed type 2 after I took hypothyroidism started on metformin bs kept going up then glic which I couldn't tolerate and finally with a hba1c of 88 the endo clinic now has me on novorapid 3 times daily and lantus overnight I would greatly appreciate everyone's advice :)


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I would say if you are injecting insulin, then yes insulin dependant. If people were to stop, they would fall ill,or worse eventually. As to the speed of illness, complications, death, etc different depending on food eaten,carbs, activity levels etc. all dependent on how much insulin is actually being made by the individual. Would be more insulin being produced by type 2s, but can vary greatly from alot,little,none, but also a factor is the amount of insulin resistance which certain tablets aids. Type ones produce little to no insulin but even then some could tolerate a missed dose with a meal, others could not, either way not good to miss,not take insulin if you are supposed to.


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Anyone taking insulin in particular Bolus/Rapid is at risk of a hypo if they mis-judge the carb content of a meal. In this sense being labelled insulin dependent can help warn others of a hypo; I sometimes wear a bracelet in the gym just in case. Don't forget diabetes is a range of types from T1 thru T2, MODY etc so the focus should be on the insulin regime and the risks with that person's condition.
 
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