Diabetes uk

[spiritfree]

I have just read, in the diabetes uk site, that type 1 diabetics can expect to live 20 years less that someone without it. It has really frightened me, being 53. Please reassure me that this is not correct.

 

[Austin Mini]

I dont think that is right. I dont think they should have said that either.

 

[trophywench]

Don't worry, I'm over 60, and Richard157 is well over 70.

I think it's like your entire life expectancy being 3 score years and ten. And it was still 20 years less when I was diagnosed in 1972 - I seriously wonder when the last time was they updated it; what the avge life expectancy was then and what it is now?

 

[Mark T]

lies, damned lies and statistics...

The real question is, how did they calculate that? Would it hold up against any real level of scientific analysis?

 

[Northerner]

I have just read, in the diabetes uk site, that type 1 diabetics can expect to live 20 years less that someone without it. It has really frightened me, being 53. Please reassure me that this is not correct.

I've heard this before and believe it is based on old data back when treatments and knowledge were much poorer than now. Also, these statistical things are measured on a large number of people who have either not looked after themselves or have not been educated and supported properly to look after themselves. I'm 53 and I flly intend and expect to be collecting my 50 year medal aged 99 with a heel click and a lap of honour!

I will speak to those at DUK to let them know how discouraging it is to put such information on their website. If you give your diabetes respect then there is no reason why your lifespan should be curtailed - in fact, in many ways if you have diabetes and look after yourself then you are closely monitored for all sorts of things that the average non-diabetic won't be, laying them open to unexpected problems in life.

Don't worry spiritfree, I will be inviting you and all my friends here to celebrate that medal ceremony with me! (although you might be too busy to attend! 🙂)

 

[bev]

I have just read, in the diabetes uk site, that type 1 diabetics can expect to live 20 years less that someone without it. It has really frightened me, being 53. Please reassure me that this is not correct.

Hi Spiritfree,

These figures are old hat now. They take the figures from all places including the Third World where care is not good and there are more deaths as a result. The good care that all Type 1's enjoy is far and above that of the care given even twenty years ago so try not to worry - they need to update their stats!

I asked this same question at a Conference full of top Medical Professionals and the overwhelming replies were that if ever there was a time to be Type 1 it is now - the treatment and care and knowledge that we have is better than ever - so try not to worry.🙂Bev

 

[Mark T]

but, shuuuush...

Don't tell the pension companies 🙄

 

[Northerner]

but, shuuuush...

Don't tell the pension companies 🙄

Ooh! Good point! Shhhhhh! 😉

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Also included in figures (though as people have said they have remained the same for decades) are the very large number of people with diabetes who do not get their annual checks (60%) and do not or cannot control their condition.

Isn't it something horrific like 80% of youngsters who do not meet their target A1cs of <7.5%?

What about all those people who get told an A1c in double figures is fine and to carry on taking the tablets and eating the 'healthy' carbs.

Us forum dwellers don't seem to represent the vast majority of the diabetic population - hopefully we might fare a little better than the 20 year thing, but for many it doesn't look so rosy

(Numbers skimmed from the 2008 National Diabetes Audit: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/Servi...eports/7121_National Diabetes Audit_final.pdf )

 

[bev]

Also included in figures (though as people have said they have remained the same for decades) are the very large number of people with diabetes who do not get their annual checks (60%) and do not or cannot control their condition.

Isn't it something horrific like 80% of youngsters who do not meet their target A1cs of <7.5%?

What about all those people who get told an A1c in double figures is fine and to carry on taking the tablets and eating the 'healthy' carbs.

Us forum dwellers don't seem to represent the vast majority of the diabetic population - hopefully we might fare a little better than the 20 year thing, but for many it doesn't look so rosy

(Numbers skimmed from the 2008 National Diabetes Audit: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/Servi...eports/7121_National Diabetes Audit_final.pdf )

Hi Everydayupsanddowns,

Your right - the HBA1C's for children in the UK are one of the worst. Luckily Alex is in the top 10% of children with an HBA1C of under 7.5% - but that is because we have a great team - unfortunately there are some useless Paedeatric teams out there still giving bad advice. Our local team are about twenty years behind the times - hence our move to a London team. I do feel sorry for those parents and children who dont realise the advice being given is outdated and in some cases dangerous. I am sure that this happens in adult services too.Bev

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Everydayupsanddowns,

Your right - the HBA1C's for children in the UK are one of the worst. Luckily Alex is in the top 10% of children with an HBA1C of under 7.5% - but that is because we have a great team - unfortunately there are some useless Paedeatric teams out there still giving bad advice. Our local team are about twenty years behind the times - hence our move to a London team. I do feel sorry for those parents and children who dont realise the advice being given is outdated and in some cases dangerous. I am sure that this happens in adult services too.Bev

Agree completely. Nice to see you posting here again btw 🙂

 

[Northerner]

Actually, why even mention it at all (flawed and outdated as it is), since there is absolutely nothing that can be done to reduce your risk of Type 1?

 

[lizabetic]

Actually, why even mention it at all (flawed and outdated as it is), since there is absolutely nothing that can be done to reduce your risk of Type 1?

I know that coeliac UK used to (unsure if they still do) state similar information, you can't reduce your risk for that either! Silly and useless information!

 

[Austin Mini]

but, shuuuush...

Don't tell the pension companies 🙄

Last year I was made redundant and as I was 65 in December I sorted out my private pension. As I was diabetic and an ex smoker and rode a motorcycle and went snorkeling I got a higher pay out as I was expected to die earlier. There are pension providers who welcome types like me and you. Now all I have to do is live as long as possible and squeeze the most out of them as I can. Sold the bike, stopped smoking and given my flippers to a charity. Time will tell.

 

[trophywench]

Austin I wholeheartedly concur that 'Impaired Life Annuities' are the best thing since sliced bread! - just wish I'd had a bigger 'pot' to invest there - most of my pensions were 'Final salary' schemes so couldn't be re-invested like the later 'personal pensions' I had and therefore tiddlers, could.

 

[mcdonagh47]

I have just read, in the diabetes uk site, that type 1 diabetics can expect to live 20 years less that someone without it. It has really frightened me, being 53. Please reassure me that this is not correct.

the last authoritative study in a Western Society was in 2003 at Toronto University.They found on average that T1 reduced life expectancy by 10-15 years and T2 reduced life expectancy by 5-10 years.
Spurred me on to get and keep the best control possible.

 

[MaryPlain]

When I had life insurance they took into account my diabetes and added 10 years to my age. I suppose they may also have taken into account the fact I've had it for 21 years with no major complications and my blood pressure and weight are normal, but even so, I would have thought insurance companies would make a pessimistic estimate based on statistics.

 

[mcdonagh47]

When I had life insurance they took into account my diabetes and added 10 years to my age. ..........but even so, I would have thought insurance companies would make a pessimistic estimate based on statistics.

That's what they did do

 

[trophywench]

I think all diabetics are lumped together or have been, and I was mega-shocked to read recently that after an amputation caused by diabetic complications, it's quite unusual for the person to survive longer than 5 years. 😱 That will certainly be affecting the mortality figures.*

I'd quite like to know the proportion of T1's amongst all the D amputees. Is that 10% the same and therefore representative of the overall T1 population, or what?

* And mortality figures aren't recorded as well as they should be anyway. One of the 'Diabetic Voices' people actually made that a thing to talk to her MP about during the DUK Parliamentary Big Lobby recently. The death cert probably shows eg heart of kidney failure - but not what caused it - was it poorly controlled BGs? in which case 'diabetes' should be on the death cert too, even though it may not be considered the ACTUAL cause of death at the moment you died.

 

[MaryPlain]

That's what they did do

Not if Diabetes UK are right, it seems!