Is it possible to be a type 2 diabetic and not be insulin dependent?

Question

I always understood that the type 1/2 classification was based on other stuff such as whether symptoms first appeared in youth or old age.

But somebody where I work has told me that Type 2 DM is the same as Insulin Dependent DM.

This is actually relevant to my job and so a proper answer is important.

Can somebody help?

Hi, sorry for not being clear earlier - I don't have diabetes and I'm not being discriminated against, but I work in a hospital and have to enter clinical details for diabetic patients into a computer.

Answer 1

Simply, "insulin dependent" means you take insulin. If you don't take insulin, than you're not dependent on it.

Diabetes Mellitus (or abbreviated to, DM) is separated into two types, Type 1 (or juvenile diabetes mellitus) or Type 2 (adult onset diabetes mellitus). There's also gestational diabetes, but that's only for pregnant women and either goes away after the baby is born, or changes into type 2.

"Insulin dependent DM" is not a diagnosis. It's just diabetes where you must take insulin. Type 1 must always take insulin. A type 2 doesn't always have to take insulin, it depends on the severity, and sometimes it depends on how well you can control your eating habits.

There is also Diabetes Insipidus, but that doesn't have anything to do with sugar or insulin, it has to do with a brain chemical that helps your kidneys store water as they should.

Being insulin dependent could effect your job because when you take insulin you take the chance of getting blood sugar that is too low and passing out and/or having seizures. If you're not taking insulin than you won't get low blood sugar like that. So if you're a diabetic and are not insulin dependent, or if you are insulin dependent and don't have a job where passing out is especially dangerous, then it's none of your employer's business and it's discrimination. Just tell your boss that you're miraculously cured. Obviously he knows nothing about diabetes, so he'll probably believe you.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Yes.

Not only is it possible, but it's very common. Many type 2s control their diabetes through diet, exercise and oral medications. Some do take insulin.

Type 1 must be controlled through the use of insulin...there is no other option (other than a new pancreas and how likely it that??).

The vast majority of diabetics world-wide are type 2...an estimated 80-90%. The rest (like me) are type 1. Type 2 is far more prevailant, especially in the overweight. Also, there has been a drastic increase of type 2 in the younger population...this is thought to be the result of children leading a more sedentary lifestyle than children of even 10-20 years ago.

There should be no affect to your job. I suggest you read the Americans With Disabilities Act...and concentrate on the section that deals with diabetes and the work place. You are protected and you have rights.

EMT

Answer 4

The distinction between 1 and 2 is based on the cause of the diabetes. In type 1, your pancreas is not producing enough insulin (usually due to an autoimmune condition), so you HAVE to take insulin. It tends to first appear when you're young, but can appear when you're older, too.

In type 2, your pancreas might work just fine, but you have insulin insensitivity--that is, your cells don't respond to insulin the way they should. So you don't necessarily have to take insulin. You might have to take it, but not necessarily. Adequate treatment might be taking a drug like Glucophage, that improves your insulin sensitivity, or losing weight, which also improves insulin sensitivity. However, some do need to take insulin, because these measures are not enough.

They're also seeing an increase recently in people who have both type 1 and type 2--they start out with one type, and end up with both types. Type 2 used to only be seen in older people--50+. But in the past 10 years or so, there's been a dramatic shift, and now you've got kids younger than 10 being diagnosed with it.

Answer 5

Type I is known as juvenile diabites. It is more likely to affect kids and these people will have it for as long as they live.

Type II can happen old or new but it more a matter of diet and lack of exercise then anything else.

Yes it is possible to have type II and not be insulin dependent. It would really matter when you were diagnosed. If it is in the early stages the doctor will probably have you just watch what you eat and exercise. If he has you start taking pills it means that you are having problems controlling your sugars and may not be doing exactly what the doctor needs you to do. When one is insulin dependent it means that the body is not working at all to take care of the sugars that you eat.

The best thing to do is check with your doctor and find out exactly what you need to do.

Answer 6

Type I diabetes is caused by the Beta cells in the pancreas are not producing insulin for whatever reason.

Type II diabetes is where the body is producing plenty of insulin, typically, but the body's cells have become overworked and refuse to process the insulin and typically produces more to try and compensate for the cells wanting more insulin to oxidize the sugars.

This is why most diabetes type II do not require insulin.

The problem of diabetes type II is becoming epidemic in the U.S. because of the high carbohydrate, low fat, no salt, no red meat diets. As more people adapt this type of diet, the incidences of this problem will increase. There is no culture in the world on this type of diet that has long life, disease free.

good luck to you

Answer 7

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Answer 8

The somebody at your work is misinformed. Type 2 diabetics are not insulin dependent. Babs is the only person who has given you, in my humble opinion, a correct answer.

Type 2 diabetics that take insulin are receiving this as a treatment, not because they are dependent on it. Their pancreas still produces insulin ... it's because their body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin. The current thinking is that extra insulin, as well as taking medications to increase their body's sensitivity, is the way to improve their situation.

One particular American doctor, Dr. Ron Rosedale, feels that this is the wrong treatment to offer type 2 diabetics. Take a look at the following page for information regarding his stance, but do note that the publishers of the magazine offer this advice: "The views expressed by this author are his own and are not necessarily the views of this publication."

Type 1 diabetics, by virtue of the fact that their pancreas produces little or no insulin are dependent on insulin injections to stay alive ... that is the meaning of 'dependent' in this case.

Answer 9

My mum is type 2. She has never had to use insulin. She does have to follow a fairly strict diet. She checks her levels every two or three days and has to take a glucose sweetie if her levels are too low. She has been told that she might never need to use insulin if she tries to follow the correct eating plan. By the way, she was diagnosed when she was 68 years old and had been losing a lot of weight.

Answer 10

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