Controversial / Can Steroid Cause Diabetes ?

[Thewomanintrouble]

Hello all,

If you have read my previous threads. My 8 year old son had some recent hormonal tests done and his HBac1 was 6.3. My GP was worried as it was slightly high sugar level and sent us away to do extra tests and gave us a blood glucose monitor to test his bloods till he sees the Endocrinologist.

We had a second HBac1 test and a fasting glucose test and his second HBac1 was 6.1 and his fasting glucose was 6.0.

In the meantime I have been taking his glucose results. Pre breakfast... early morning has been between 5.1-5.9. Before meals have been 5.9-7.7 (had the 7.7 reading the once) and after meals have been between 5.1-7.3.

We’ve seen the Endocrinologist and she wanted to know the list of medication we have been using for the past three months, she was mainly interested in my son’s steroid cream treatment... which is the Elocon/ Mometasone steroid. She’s wondering if the steroid cream is causing my son’s blood sugar levels as he was using the steroid cream for 2/3 months, long story. But anyway we took another load of tests, in particular the c-peptide just Incase it’s slow onset Diabetes.

What I want to know is, can steroid creams cause Diabetes ? My Endocrinologist instructed we stop using the steroid cream until further notice and we just saw our Dermatologist who gave us another batch of steroid cream.

I’m a bit dubious. I don’t think it’s the steroid causing his slight sugar levels. I’d wait to see what his next batch of blood test results reveal.

 

[Juicyj]

@Thewomanintrouble

Simple answer - no.

Whether a topical cream can raise blood glucose levels though is debatable, steroid injections would however.

 

[lucylocket61]

Hello all,

If you have read my previous threads. My 8 year old son had some recent hormonal tests done and his HBac1 was 6.3. My GP was worried as it was slightly high sugar level and sent us away to do extra tests and gave us a blood glucose monitor to test his bloods till he sees the Endocrinologist.

We had a second HBac1 test and a fasting glucose test and his second HBac1 was 6.1 and his fasting glucose was 6.0.

In the meantime I have been taking his glucose results. Pre breakfast... early morning has been between 5.1-5.9. Before meals have been 5.9-7.7 (had the 7.7 reading the once) and after meals have been between 5.1-7.3.

We’ve seen the Endocrinologist and she wanted to know the list of medication we have been using for the past three months, she was mainly interested in my son’s steroid cream treatment... which is the Elocon/ Mometasone steroid. She’s wondering if the steroid cream is causing my son’s blood sugar levels as he was using the steroid cream for 2/3 months, long story. But anyway we took another load of tests, in particular the c-peptide just Incase it’s slow onset Diabetes.

What I want to know is, can steroid creams cause Diabetes ? My Endocrinologist instructed we stop using the steroid cream until further notice and we just saw our Dermatologist who gave us another batch of steroid cream.

I’m a bit dubious. I don’t think it’s the steroid causing his slight sugar levels. I’d wait to see what his next batch of blood test results reveal.

what di your dermatologist say when you told them the endocrinologist want your son to not use the steroid cream?

 

[Thewomanintrouble]

what di your dermatologist say when you told them the endocrinologist want your son to not use the steroid cream?

We saw the Endo after we saw the Dermatologist, but the Endo wrote a letter to our Dermatologist detailing that we should quit the steroid. She reckons we have been overdosing . For my son, we applied the steroid but we were instructed to put banadges on top of the steroid to increase absorbtion.

 

[lucylocket61]

We saw the Endo after we saw the Dermatologist, but the Endo wrote a letter to our Dermatologist detailing that we should quit the steroid. She reckons we have been overdosing . For my son, we applied the steroid but we were instructed to put banadges on top of the steroid to increase absorbtion.

your Endo thinks your Dermatologist is wrong???? I am gobsmacked. Are you in the UK? I assume the Dermatologist told you to use the bandages. I would ring up the Dermatologist office and get further advice on this, telling them what the Endo has said.

 

[Dark Horse]

The patient information leaflet for mometasone says this:-

​

High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) and high levels of glucose in the urine (glucosuria) can occur in some patients after topical application due to systemic absorption.
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/spcpil/documents/spcpil/con1525407367402.pdf

Such side-effects of absorption of the drug into the body through the skin are more likely if a large area is being treated and/or the cream is applied too thickly or too often, or the treated area is covered with a bandage or plaster after the cream is applied..

​

 

[lucylocket61]

as you say, his blood are still in the normal range. It looks like one of those situations where the need for the steroid may be more important, at this time, than the need for lower blood sugars. Both the specialists should talk to each other about this, in my view.

 

[Thewomanintrouble]

The patient information leaflet for mometasone says this:-

​

High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) and high levels of glucose in the urine (glucosuria) can occur in some patients after topical application due to systemic absorption.
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/spcpil/documents/spcpil/con1525407367402.pdf

Such side-effects of absorption of the drug into the body through the skin are more likely if a large area is being treated and/or the cream is applied too thickly or too often, or the treated area is covered with a bandage or plaster after the cream is applied..

​

What ?!!! My dermatologist didn’t tell me this ?!!!

 

[Thewomanintrouble]

as you say, his blood are still in the normal range. It looks like one of those situations where the need for the steroid may be more important, at this time, than the need for lower blood sugars. Both the specialists should talk to each other about this, in my view.

I’m going to take advice the from the Endocrinologist and stop this particular high potent steroid.

 

[lucylocket61]

I’m going to take advice the from the Endocrinologist and stop this particular high potent steroid.

however, your son still needs effective treatment, so i suggest consulting both the specialists. Just stopping the steroid leaves your son with a distressing condition which is not a good idea.

 

[lucylocket61]

My point is that untreated or uncomfortable exzcema is a bigger harm to your son at the moment than a tiny, non-diabetic raise in his blood sugar levels.

 

[zand]

I’m going to take advice the from the Endocrinologist and stop this particular high potent steroid.

Personally I would continue with the steroid. The BG rise is minimal. He isn't diabetic, just has very slightly higher BGs. He does however have severe eczema which must be so distressing for him.

 

[DCUKMod]

I’m going to take advice the from the Endocrinologist and stop this particular high potent steroid.

Bottom line is the numbers you are seeing are not diabetic numbers, and secondly stopping applying this cream immediately, when the condition still requires it, could lead to a significant flarre up of your son's skin issues. In this heat, that could be a nightmare, and needlessly cruel.

If you feel uncomfortable about the long term continuation of the drug, then I would suggest you continue to use it, but seek an appointment orr wrrite to the Dermatologit to enquire about the alternatives.

I have one patch of excema which flares in certain circumstances. When it flares, and the skin breaks, it is not only itchy, painful and messy (from it bleeding), but it looks really bad.

In my view discontinuing your son's med, without at least a conversation with a professional expert is foolhardy at best

 

[Dark Horse]

The patient information leaflet also says:-

If you stop using Mometasone Furoate Cream If you have been using Mometasone Furoate Cream for a long time and your skin problems seems to have got better, you should not suddenly stop using the cream. If you do, you may find that your skin becomes red and you may notice stinging or burning. To avoid this, you should speak to your doctor as he will gradually reduce how often you need to use the cream until you stop treatment altogether.
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/spcpil/documents/spcpil/con1525407367402.pdf

I agree with other posters that further discussion with your dermatologist and endocrinologist would be helpful in order to come up with a plan of action.

 

[Mbaker]

Not sure about the cream, but for one of my oldest friends the steroid to reduce his brain tumor definitely caused his Type 2. His dosage of steriod correlates to his insulin requirements also. He came round to see me 2 days ago with another friend, we spent circa 4 hours going through all of the basics, with a view to careful reversal; this wone we are going to take slowly due to the tumor (which shrunk enough to be successfully operated on 3 weeks ago).

 

[Thewomanintrouble]

Bottom line is the numbers you are seeing are not diabetic numbers, and secondly stopping applying this cream immediately, when the condition still requires it, could lead to a significant flarre up of your son's skin issues. In this heat, that could be a nightmare, and needlessly cruel.

If you feel uncomfortable about the long term continuation of the drug, then I would suggest you continue to use it, but seek an appointment orr wrrite to the Dermatologit to enquire about the alternatives.

I have one patch of excema which flares in certain circumstances. When it flares, and the skin breaks, it is not only itchy, painful and messy (from it bleeding), but it looks really bad.

In my view discontinuing your son's med, without at least a conversation with a professional expert is foolhardy at best

I’ve booked an appointment with my GP ASAP, to try and see if I can get a lesser potent steroid and I’m in the process of consulting with my Dermatologist.

The steroid cream, Elocon, is highly potent. If the Elocon is triggering my son’s BS levels and may cause him to develop type 1 diabetes, I’m not going to continue using it. My son has Autism, Eczema and allergies, he has enough to deal with and to have type 1 Diabetes on top of the other conditions he has to cope with. No, that’s not fair.

 

[DCUKMod]

I’ve booked an appointment with my GP ASAP, to try and see if I can get a lesser potent steroid and I’m in the process of consulting with my Dermatologist.

The steroid cream, Elocon, is highly potent. If the Elocon is triggering my son’s BS levels and may cause him to develop type 1 diabetes, I’m not going to continue using it. My son has Autism, Eczema and allergies, he has enough to deal with and to have type 1 Diabetes on top of the other conditions he has to cope with. No, that’s not fair.

For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not suggesting that your son continue with this specific cream ad infnitum, but more that stopping it, on the flick of a switch today coud have unforeseenimplications.

As with most things; timing and preparation is important.

 

[lucylocket61]

I’ve booked an appointment with my GP ASAP, to try and see if I can get a lesser potent steroid and I’m in the process of consulting with my Dermatologist.

The steroid cream, Elocon, is highly potent. If the Elocon is triggering my son’s BS levels and may cause him to develop type 1 diabetes, I’m not going to continue using it. My son has Autism, Eczema and allergies, he has enough to deal with and to have type 1 Diabetes on top of the other conditions he has to cope with. No, that’s not fair.

as i understand it, please correct me if i am wrong @DCUKMod , you cant become a type 1 through steroid cream use, its an autoimmune condition?

 

[DCUKMod]

as i understand it, please correct me if i am wrong @DCUKMod , you cant become a type 1 through steroid cream use, its an autoimmune condition?

Were I to answer that I'd be jumping to a conclusion without understanding fully the complete physiological impacts of the topical pplication. Sometimes speculation and educated guesses don't serve us well.

 

[lucylocket61]

Were I to answer that I'd be jumping to a conclusion without understanding fully the complete physiological impacts of the topical pplication. Sometimes speculation and educated guesses don't serve us well.

thank you for explaining that.