Type 2 Diabetes: Are high blood glucose levels an effect rather than the cause of the disease?

[Northerner]

Insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels are considered to be the cause of type 2 diabetes. However, scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital have now provided evidence that things might be completely different. They showed in flies that elevated levels of the metabolite MG (methylglyoxal) cause the typical diabetic disturbances of the metabolism and lead to insulin resistance, obesity and elevated blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes, a form of diabetes with a typical onset in middle or older age, causes severe health complications including elevated risks for heart disease and strokes, massive blood flow problems in the legs as well as severe damage to eyes, nerves and kidneys. These dangerous late effects are believed to be caused by high blood sugar levels, which develop when the body cells no longer respond to insulin, the regulatory hormone that lowers blood sugar.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180315140710.htm

 

[trophywench]

Well isn't a case of 'which came first - the chicken or the egg?' - cos whilst higher BG doesn't happen unless and until 'summat's up' - once it is higher, it aggravates whatever IS up! and the Up, causes higher BG so it's a vicious circle until there's an intervention with either the original cause, or its effects.

 

[mikeyB]

Couldn’t have put it better myself, Jenny.

 

[HOBIE]

Now who is chucking all them eggs ?

 

[Ralph-YK]

The egg came first, it was just a dinasour one. They covered that on the radio just the other day.

 

[Ralph-YK]

elevated blood glucose levels are considered to be the cause of type 2 diabetes

Is it really? I didn't consider that possibility.

Insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels are considered to be the cause of type 2 diabetes.

Well, the insulin resistance causes the elevated blood glucose, so the high BG is a simptom of insulin resistance. I considered type 2 diabetes to be the insulin resistance, not caused by. Or whatever causes the insulin resistance.

 

[Mark Parrott]

Reading the article a bit further down the page:
"Large clinical trials in recent years have shown: Even when blood sugar could be lowered by drugs below the diabetes threshold value, many patients nevertheless developed typical diabetic damage to nerves and kidneys. This suggests that type 2 diabetes might in fact have molecular causes that are independent of insulin and glucose."

That's really depressing.

 

[Vince_UK]

I second that Mark. Makes you wonder if it is all worth it sometimes. Like closing the door after the horse etc. Extremely depressing

 

[Bubbsie]

Is it really? I didn't consider that possibility.

Well, the insulin resistance causes the elevated blood glucose, so the high BG is a simptom of insulin resistance. I considered type 2 diabetes to be the insulin resistance, not caused by. Or whatever causes the insulin resistance.

Interesting point Ralph...well put.

 

[Mark T]

...I considered type 2 diabetes to be the insulin resistance, not caused by. Or whatever causes the insulin resistance.

As someone who isn't hugely insulin resistant (and there are a few of us) I would be ok with that statement. However, I think it will take many years for the NHS to adapt to the thinking that it's more than T1, T2.