Diabetic nurse opinion on corona risk

https://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2020/03/18/coronavirus-covid-19/

 

I had the opposite from my GP yesterday during a telephone consultation for something else. He was very specific that, as a diabetic, I must self isolate for 12 weeks.

 

You should read this this concerning coronavirus and diabetes.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/th...y’s-figures-less-scary-than-i-thought.172901/

 

Hmm, what does she mean you are not classed as diabetic exactly? Does she mean because you are Type 2 or because you have well controlled hba1c?

 

That article is saying that 35% were diabetics.....not at all favourable for us lot then

 

I wouldn't take your DNs word for it. Let's face it no-one really knows.

 

It is a great time to keep your blood sugars in the normal range and insulin low by dropping carbs, so as not to feed the virus, along with getting sleep, gentle exercise and lots of healthy fats to keep your cholesterol up since this is an important part of your immune system.
What else can we do and nobody really knows our individual risk so much of this is on the precautionary principle e.g. there is not evidence that pregnant women and their babies are at a greater risk.

 

How many people in N. Italy are diabetic? Estimates for the USA suggest approx. 30% are T2D though many never been tested so still undiagnosed.

 

Does it really matter on how many people are diabetic? The point being that 35% of them WERE diabetic

Thats like us loosing 35% of this forum overnight!?

 

And quite old... you seem to be ignoring that part.

I'll hazard a guess that if you are in your 70's and 80's with all the problems of metabolic syndrome.. heart disease, hypertension and raging blood glucose numbers (and probably on statins and lots of other meds) then you are far more at risk than a well controlled T2 on metformin or diet control.

 

Not ignoring it at all. It is still 35% diabetic. Which a fair few people on here are "comfortable" with

 

I suspect a lot of those that died had poor eyesight, does that mean anyone who wears glasses is more at risk?

 

Yes but age appears to be the major factor ...

 

Again, agreed. But still 35% diabetic. I personally am not comfortable with that even thou I am a mere 53 years young

 

But you have no idea if T1 or T2 and how well controlled they were..

I think you are overly worrying yourself ..

How many 70+ year old Italians are diabetic anyway (and mostly they'd be T2 ..... all that pasta!) ?

 

The point is that when we get ill our numbers go up.

Non diabetics don't have that problem.

Even temporary higher numbers put us at greater risk. It's not rocket science.

 

Even more reason to keep them as low as possible with diet as a protective measure then?

 

I do hope there are not too many older diabetics on here.....they are doomed