I am a 60 year old female who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past week. My blood sugar was 135 mg/dl [7.5 mmol/l]. A year ago my blood sugar was 83 mg/dl [4.6 mmol/l]. I am obese, but I have lost 12 pounds in the past year. The only change that I can see is that I have been taking diuretics for the past year. I have read that a contraindication for both is hyperglycemia. Can there be a correlation between the diuretics and the diabetes?

You are very perceptive! It is well known that the diuretic type of medications raise blood glucose a little. In your case, enough to push you over the diabetic cliff. It is possible that you had the genes to become a person with diabetes at some point in your life, but it is likely that your diuretic medication forced the issue. If you are taking diuretics for blood pressure, you may want to ask to be switched to one of the medications that falls into the group called ACE inhibitors. This group of antihypertensive medications not only lower blood pressure, but also have a positive effect on the kidneys. If you are taking diuretics for fluid retention or swelling, you may want to discuss a change in dose with your doctor. Some people can get a good effect by taking as little as one-half tablet a few times a week.

VV