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Can you drink if you're type one diabetic

Julia McCoulough

Julia McCoulough

Well-Known Member
Messages
343
Location
Bedfordshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Rude people
Can you drink if you're type one diabetic because I was told I could as long as it's not on a empty stomach
 
Julia McCoulough said:
Can you drink if you're type one diabetic because I was told I could as long as it's not on a empty stomach
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I assume you're on about alcohol :D, if so it tends to drop BGs which probably explains the advice you have been given, I had 2 pints of Carlsberg the other day which dropped my BGs by around 2.0-3.0, though we'll all different so just monitor a little more often to see how drinks and different drinks affect you personally, I'd definitely say drink in moderation.
 
Deanoh said:
I assume you're on about alcohol :D, if so it tends to drop BGs which probably explains the advice you have been given, I had 2 pints of Carlsberg the other day which dropped my BGs by around 2.0-3.0, though we'll all different so just monitor a little more often to see how drinks and different drinks affect you personally, I'd definitely say drink in moderation.
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Yes I mean alcohol
 
Deanoh said:
I assume you're on about alcohol :D, if so it tends to drop BGs which probably explains the advice you have been given, I had 2 pints of Carlsberg the other day which dropped my BGs by around 2.0-3.0, though we'll all different so just monitor a little more often to see how drinks and different drinks affect you personally, I'd definitely say drink in moderation.
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Mine always is high after alcohol
 
Yes you can drink but just closely monitor afterwards and adapt accordingly next time. If wine makes you rise maybe bolus for it if possible?
 
Julia McCoulough said:
Can you drink if you're type one diabetic because I was told I could as long as it's not on a empty stomach
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I have a first cousin who is Type 1 and was diagnosed 40 years ago and has been insulin-dependent since then. She has been drinking alcohol, in moderation, all along. She is in fine form now, at age 59.
 
As alcohol can dramatically lower blood glucose many hours later I would advocate testing, testing, testing. I don't ever take insulin to cover any carbs in alcoholic drinks I'm having after a very nasty experience with a drunken hypo at university.

I thought I was just drunk. I wasn't........
 
Type 1 is no reason to give up alcohol. Unless you want to.
As others have said, some drinks contain carbs which need to be considered when carb counting.

But the biggest risk is a low BG a few hours later.
The way I understand it is our basal insulin (e.g. Lantus) is used to mop up the glucose which is constantly dripped from our liver.
However, livers don't like alcohol - they see it as poison. So, when our liver comes across some alcohol, it will not release anything until it has dealt with the poison. As a result, it doesn't drip glucose so the basal insulin doesn't have much to work with and our BG goes low.
There are a few ways to handle this - top up on carbs, such as toast, (without insulin) after drinking or reduce your basal dose.
 
If you have a hypo people will assume you are drunken - therefore you must have friends with you that understand you use insulin and what to do with a hypo. A bracelet saying you are on insulin would also be worthwhile.
 
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tiredoftrying2017 said:
Sorry, if you take injections or use a pump you could take extra insulin for the wine.
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It’s not wise to take extra or any insulin at all for wine - otherwise you run the risk of going hypo, drinking is poison to the liver and prevents it releasing glucose meaning hypos are more likely, always eat carbs and test test test, best to be safe and run slightly higher instead.
 
Juicyj said:
It’s not wise to take extra or any insulin at all for wine - otherwise you run the risk of going hypo, drinking is poison to the liver and prevents it releasing glucose meaning hypos are more likely, always eat carbs and test test test, best to be safe and run slightly higher instead.
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I only drink when I'm in a restaurant and thank you for your advice
 
Hi @Julia McCoulough
each of us are different
Over the years I have learned that beer raises me while drinking, yet i can suffer a hypo many hours later

i tend to stick to dry white wine ( like you ) or red wine as those have the least impact.
agree totally with everyone that has told you to TEST -- even though it may be inconvenient doing it on a nite out

not testing can possibly result in a 2:30am paramedic visit when one goes comatose from the hypo ( been there done that -- even have the T-shirt :D )

drinking in moderation is to me the best way :)
 
himtoo said:
Hi @Julia McCoulough
each of us are different
Over the years I have learned that beer raises me while drinking, yet i can suffer a hypo many hours later

i tend to stick to dry white wine ( like you ) or red wine as those have the least impact.
agree totally with everyone that has told you to TEST -- even though it may be inconvenient doing it on a nite out

not testing can possibly result in a 2:30am paramedic visit when one goes comatose from the hypo ( been there done that -- even have the T-shirt :D )

drinking in moderation is to me the best way :)
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Thank you
 
Snapsy said:
As alcohol can dramatically lower blood glucose many hours later I would advocate testing, testing, testing. I don't ever take insulin to cover any carbs in alcoholic drinks I'm having after a very nasty experience with a drunken hypo at university.

I thought I was just drunk. I wasn't........
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Oh my God are you ok now
 
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