October 5, 2006
Research: Other Research
Question from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA:
I recently read about the girl who was able to go off insulin and take a sulfonylurea because she had some form of neonatal diabetes. It peaked my interest. My son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 23 months. Given the age of his diagnosis, is it possible he could have this form of diabetes and should be tested or do you think he was too old at diagnosis to possibly have this form of the disease?
Also, I was reading a study done of those who have lived with diabetes for over 50 years and they are finding that those who suffered fewer complications still have some residual islet function which could be key to a cure, if scientists are able to find some way of regenerating islet cells. Do you think it would be of any value to know whether or not my child has any remaining islet function?
Answer:
There is little to be gained from measuring insulin levels in very young children. It could be good for research projects, though.
The first question is an important one which you should discuss with your diabetes team. They can order special MODY genetic tests to see if they are positive; is so, then coming off insulin is a real high possibility. Not only is this an obvious improvement in quality of life, but the sulfonylurea pills that one would then take instead of insulin injections actually control the blood glucose levels significantly better than insulin. Thus, your son would likely be feeling better each day and have a much lower probably of long term complications with an improved A1c and day-to-day glycemia at the same time.
SB
