New Study

A new study reported by the New York Times today suggests that, in Type 2 diabetics, more rigidly controlled diabetes led to a high death rate. Out of two different groups, one that kept strict control of their diabetes – a hemoglobin A1C of 6.0 or below – had 54 more deaths than the group that had a much looser regime – a hemoglobin A1C of around 7.0. If you are not as surprised as I am at this finding, well then you just don’t check your blood sugars.

There are a couple of things that should be taken into account in the study. First, there is quite a bit a medication mixing going on. Many of the people in the study were on insulin as well as blood sugar controlling pills. A host of those same people were also taking cholesterol and heart medication. The researchers believed that there was no correlation between the combinations of medications. In risk of it being too soon I would like to disclaimer my next statement by saying it is only in a scientific reference, but I can’t believe that finding in the light of Heath Legder’s death.

The study did believe that the rate at which the blood sugars were lowered may have had an effect. The average age of the study was 62 and had been diabetic for 10 years. The report stated: “Years ago, researchers discovered that lowering blood sugar very quickly in diabetes could actually worsen blood vessel disease in the eyes, he said. But reducing levels more slowly protected those blood vessels.” This may certainly be true. I’m no doctor but someone who is elderly, and who’s body has been accustomed to running a certain way, may place extra stress on their organs with sudden changes.

It should be noted that most of the deaths were heart disease related.

One thing that is certain – at least according to the New York Times – “Clearly, people without diabetes are different from people who have diabetes and get their blood sugar low.” No kidding. Would never have guessed. Can you smell a Pulitzer?

What does this mean? Well for me, a Type 1 diabetic (a juvenile if you will), I’m still going to check and monitor my sugars closely. I don’t see any reason to change what I’ve been doing, certainly in light of the fact that I don’t want to get to the point where I might have to be on heart or kidney medication later on in life.

Again, non of these people were Type 1, and many of them had previous conditions that could have proved to be fatal – which more than likely were a direct link to their having diabetes (i.e. heart, kidney, and cholesterol problems). Don’t let the problems get to a point where there is already damage. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.

And if you are of age, get out and vote so that medical professionals can do their job and help find a cure.

On a lighter note just watch this. It’s beyond explanation.