Print Diabetes and Alcohol: Do the Two Mix? (Part 1)

A nice glass of Chianti…a cold beer on a hot summer day…celebrating with a flute of champagne. There are so many ways that alcohol is integrated into both everyday life and special occasions. Granted, not everyone drinks alcohol, but many people do. And when it comes to the question, "Can I drink alcohol if I have diabetes?" the answer is about as clear as that for "Is a low-carb diet good for diabetes?" In other words, the answer really is "It depends!"

It’s important to mention right off the bat that there are certainly many reasons why people should not drink alcohol. Some may be related to diabetes and some may be related to other reasons. Therefore, it’s important to discuss this issue with your health-care provider if you have any doubts or concerns. And if you’re newly diagnosed with diabetes or starting on a new medicine, it’s worthwhile bringing up the topic if your provider doesn’t.

While you’d be hard-pressed to find any health organization actually recommending that you drink alcohol, you might take some comfort in knowing that the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, and even the American Cancer Society agree that drinking alcohol in moderation is certainly not off-limits to most people.

But back to diabetes and alcohol. What’s the concern here? And why should some people with diabetes not drink alcohol? To answer these questions, it’s helpful to understand a little bit about how alcohol is processed in the body.

The body treats alcohol as a drug, not as a food product. This means that, when you drink any type of alcoholic beverage, your liver kicks into high gear, preparing itself to “detoxify” the body of this “poison” (I’m using these words for dramatic effect). Essentially, the liver has to metabolize, or break down, alcohol into less harmful substances. This takes, on average, about two hours. While the liver is truly a miracle organ, it can only do so much multitasking at one time. And handling alcohol is its number one priority. So, this means that while your liver is busy reigning in the effects of that green apple martini, it may not pick up on the fact that your blood glucose levels are starting to wind their way down.

In most cases, your liver is able to release glucose when blood glucose levels start to drop in an effort to prevent low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). But with alcohol on board, this may not happen. Now, it’s no big deal if you have diabetes and you control your blood glucose with a healthy eating plan and physical activity alone. Hypoglycemia isn’t going to occur if you don’t take medicine. However, if you take certain types of diabetes pills called sulfonylureas, such as glipizide or glimepiride, or if you take insulin, your chances of developing low blood glucose rise considerably. Your chances are even higher if you’ve been drinking on an empty stomach (think cocktails before supper); if you grab a beer or wine cooler after a few runs down the ski slopes (exercise is already lowering your blood glucose levels); or if your blood glucose levels are already on their way down (too much medicine and/or not enough food).

Alcohol is a little sneaky, too, because it’s not always predictable. When the topic of alcohol and hypoglycemia came up in one of the classes I was teaching a few years ago, an astute gentleman quipped, “Well, why don’t I just drink alcohol instead of taking my Glucotrol?”

The question was actually a good one (although we’d never recommend using alcohol in that way). But what he didn’t realize, at the time, is that alcohol is not always so predictable. Some people metabolize alcohol more slowly than others. And alcohol metabolism can depend on factors such as the amount of alcohol consumed and over what time period; body size; type and amount of food eaten along with alcohol; and level of physical activity. It’s therefore not unusual to hear stories from people (often college students) who, after having had a bit too much to drink, “went low” in the middle of the night or even the next morning after a night of partying.

Well, out of time and space for this week. We’ll continue our in-depth look at alcohol and diabetes next week. Cheers!

Comments:

I was told by the first Dr. that I was involved with my diabetes that I should not drink wine, brandy, rum and most beers. She said that those alcohol drinks have the worst kind of sugar for diabetics. She said the expensive bourbon whiskeys have a different sugar composition which is not as detrimental to the diabetics glucose levels. Is her analysis supported by any research?

Posted by: daonegriz | Jan 24, 2008 09:07 AM

Hi daonegriz,

I'm not aware of research claiming that bourbon has a different sugar composition. In general, however, brandy, rum and other distilled spirits have practically no carbohydrate (the exception would be something like a cherry-flavored brandy, for example). Wine and beer can vary in their carb content; sweeter dessert wines can have up to 15 grams of carb per 4 ounces, and a stout beer can contain 15 grams of carb per 12 ounce bottle. Unless you're drinking these or mixed drinks, such as pina coladas, most alcoholic beverages tend to lower glucose levels. If you drink alcohol, check your glucose levels to find out how it affects you.

Posted by: acampbell | Jan 25, 2008 08:05 AM

And I always thought that alcohol when consumed would turn to sugar therefore increasing your blood glucose. I refuse to drink alcohol in any manner. As a diabetic that tries to control my blood glucose without insulin its important to not consume products you know will effect your glucose levels. I have friends that believe its alright to consume alcohol. One now had no foot and is missing fingers. Not good.

Posted by: wkmmarfa | Jan 26, 2008 09:26 AM

Hi wkmmarfa,
Many people with diabetes don't drink alcohol. And it's wise for people who have difficulty controlling their glucose levels to stay away from alcohol. However, there are people who enjoy having a glass of wine or beer; since alcohol tends to lower glucose levels, it's important for those who choose to drink to learn how alcohol affects them - this means checking more frequently with a meter. Learning how to safely fit alcohol into one's lifestyle is possible and should be done under the guidance of a health-care provider.

Posted by: acampbell | Jan 28, 2008 12:19 PM

thhiss doeesntt hellp
aaaaaaaat all . liike
onne of my [u]bestfriiends[/u]
mightt have diabeetiies .
andd ii wannuhh knnow if shhe
can still drinkk.

Posted by: broownn' | Feb 05, 2009 10:25 AM

Hi broownn,

I'm sorry this posting wasn't helpful, but the point is, when it comes to alcohol and diabetes, that each person needs to discuss the issue with his or her physician. Most people with diabetes can drink alcohol, but certain medicines can interact with it, and if a person has other medical issues, it might not be such as good idea. So, she needs to talk with her physician about this.

Posted by: acampbell | Feb 09, 2009 04:08 PM

I went through a period of about eight years where I did'nt excercise at all and never watched what I ate(I'm 61 now). My blood sugar test came in at 155. I now work out on a rowing machine for twenty minutes a day and now eat more carefully and the last blood test came in at 110. So this combo does work and I do drink red wine and bourbon 3-4 times per week.

Posted by: Evernew | Aug 02, 2009 12:21 AM

hi there thanks for different ideas and experiences its really difficult to figure out how things will effect your levels. one thing i do not understand is what is good using medicine or doing exercise. when i go for a run I can drop my blood sugar from 13 to 5 . my question is ,is this OK to cut down BSL from that high to that low as I diagnosed with type 2 in June 2009 so being new there are so many confusions around my head.need some more information on Formine

Posted by: anil kumar | Aug 24, 2009 07:12 AM

Hi Anil, Well, the good news is that both your diabetes medicine and your exercise are helping to lower your blood glucose! You don't mention what type of medicine you take, but because you experience such a drop in your glucose with exercise, I'd suggest you talk with your physician about perhaps lowering your dose so that you don't have too low of a glucose after exercising. For most people with type 2 diabetes, a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise and often, medication is what works best to control glucose levels.

Posted by: acampbell | Aug 24, 2009 04:08 PM

Hi Andrew, The decision to drink alcohol depends on a number of factors, including your diabetes control and other possible health issues. You mention that you drink makkoli 3-4 times per week but you don't mention how much. Guidelines in the US for people with diabetes are up to 2 drinks (1.5 ounces of hard alcohol) per day for men, up to one drink per day for women. And there is evidence that drinking alcohol can lower your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. However, if your A1C is above 7, if your blood triglycerides are above 150, if you're overweight, if you have liver/kidney disease, etc., you may want to reconsider how often and how much you drink. So, my advice is to evaluate any possible risk factors you may have. It certainly doesn't hurt to cut back on your alcohol intake, which you've begun to do.

Posted by: acampbell | Dec 29, 2009 10:30 AM

Hi Robert, My guess is that you could have alcoholic ketoacidosis, given that your blood glucose isn't that high, from what you report. Ketones form when the body breaks down fat for fuel. This can happen in the absence of insulin (I'm assuming you're taking your insulin) or if one isn't eating enough carbohydrate (or enough calories for proper nutrition). There may be other symptoms associated with alcoholic ketoacidosis (and DKA, for that matter), including abdominal pain, dehydration, feeling sluggish, loss of appetite, confusion, and dizziness, to name a few. However, since I'm not a physician and can't diagnose you, I'd strongly suggest you call your doctor, as you may need medical treatment, including IV fluids. In the meantime, congratulations on quitting the alcohol — that will help!

Posted by: acampbell | Dec 29, 2009 09:34 AM

Hello - I am a Type 1 Diabetic and I am an alcoholic. I drink on average about 6-12 24oz beers per day. I keep my blood sugar under 250 for the most part. I have been having large amounts of ketones, usually in the morning and then when I have a beer it tends to go away to about a trace or small. I am getting concerned about DKA, but like I said...my Blood Sugar is usually below 250 (180 avg). My question is this...Could it be Alcoholic Ketoacidosis? Why do the Ketones come and go? Should I still go to the doctor when ketones are high? Do ketones leave the blood or just keep building up? I hope this was ok to post here. Any Help would be great! Thanks! Robert PS. I have begun to quit drinking alcohol...hope this works for the ketones!

Posted by: Robert | Dec 28, 2009 05:01 AM

Hi, I actually live in South Korea and have had type 1 since 2005. I generally stay away from strong alcohol but drink the local rice wine 'makkoli' around 3-4 times a week (alcohol content is around 5-6 %). I do this for two reasons 1/it tastes good 2/it has no refined sugars as most commercial beers have (stout less so) The hospital I get my insulin from here generally has the same attitude as my doctors in England (generally alcohol is O.K provided it's only 2-4 units a day max) while the Korean clinic (which comes from a homoepathic Korean tradition in medicine that is closer to Chinese medicine and traditions of acupuncture) advise me against alcohol of any kind. I'm now in a bit of a quandary and have been cutting back on any alcohol intake over the last month or so because of this. Any observations on these two different views wd certainly be appreciated.

Posted by: Andrew | Dec 28, 2009 02:48 AM

I drink vodka, pretty much every evening. I am also takng Metformn and another drug to lower my cholesterol levels. I'm concerned about developing lactic acidosis, and other problems because of the drugs I'm taking. Are there other drugs with less propencity to cause LA? Although I've slacked on my exercise regime for about 1 month now, I also exercise for 45 minutes about 4 times a week. I'm hoping I can get off diabetic meds altogether. My last blood results indicate that my LDL's are lowering as well as my sugar levels. I'm starting to worry about the Metformin however, after reading more extensively, the side affects.

Posted by: PK | Dec 18, 2009 03:54 PM

I treat alcohol like coke(cola). It's just not really part of my world. I've never heard of any harm comming to anyone from not dinking. I have type 1. I don't really miss it, not like a loaf of good french bread, anyway.

Posted by: FUSZEK | Dec 19, 2009 11:59 AM

Hi PK, Metformin is in a class of drugs that are more likely to cause lactic acidosis than other diabetes medicines. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that you should switch to another class of drugs, since alcohol can cause different interactions, depending on the drug. For example, alcohol can increase the likelihood of hypoglycemia if taken with sulfonylureas or insulin. I'd suggest having a conversation with your physician or pharmacist, letting them know how much vodka you drink, the pros and cons of staying on metformin, and discussing, if warranted, other options for medicine.

Posted by: acampbell | Dec 21, 2009 02:59 PM

Hi Andrew, Probably the safest thing to do is to cut back on your alcohol intake, perhaps to 1 bottle 3–4 times per week — it certainly won't hurt. Again, it would be more of an issue if you had other health problems or even frequent hypoglycemia due to alcohol intake. It's likely that the Korean clinic is taking a "purist," wholistic approach to alcoholic (meaning, don't drink it) and I'd guess they also likely restrict intake of other things, too, such as sugar, red meat, etc. By the way, it's possible that fenugreek could affect your blood glucose and doubtful that grapefruit will do much.

Posted by: acampbell | Jan 06, 2010 09:05 AM

thanks for yr advice. Amount of alcohol? 1-2 bottles (I think these bottles are around British pint-size each which would mean 2 units of alcohol each, or just over? don't know ounces tho) 3-4 times a week generally, although recently less frequently. Blood? The odd high of 2-250 in the evenings 2-3 times monthly. I've begun to look into natural remedies that have the same effects on the blood as insulin (grapefruit, crushed fenugreek?) I also exercise daily (walk/jog/bike) to keep my circulation in order. I guess I got in touch because of the advice from the Korean clinic. It's the first time I'd heard the diabetes=no drinks prognosis

Posted by: Andrew | Jan 05, 2010 07:54 AM

Have you made a continuation a part 2 on this subject yet?

Posted by: Arend | Sep 25, 2010 10:10 PM

I've recently moved to Korea and started drinking the fermented rice wine called Makoli. I've been noticing fasting levels in the low 100's after a night of drinking roughly 2 cups. At one point I'd forgotten to take my 850mg Metformin and still showed a low fasting level the next day. My pills usually get me at around 120-130 fasting. Without my pills my levels are around 170. The Makoli has worked better to reducing my fasting levels than my pills. Other forms of alcohol do not have the same effect as Makoli. I think that something about the fermentation helps. I have not replaced my meds with Makoli, but I have surely cut back on the amount of pills that I take.

Posted by: Diane | May 03, 2011 08:23 PM

Why is it that brandy makes a Diabetic person have a diffrent mood swing, I witnessed a Diabetic that i live with today who will stay up all night long, not want to do anything to help out, and lots more.. I also watched as he would drink whisky and be in a great mood, but I recently had brandy in the house, after he drank half the container, I woke up, and he had a mood swing, and charged me as well as hit me in the face, what is it that would cause this, He has not acted out this way sence he became a Diabetic. Also, why is it he now will start eating more and more each day, and alot of it is junk food, and not only this, he trys to hide the fack that he is eating this way... will someone please send me a email on how to find this information please, and thank you..

Posted by: Tony | May 11, 2011 02:57 AM

Hi Tony, I'm sorry that you've had to go through this. To me, it sounds like the alcohol itself (and not whether it's brandy or whiskey) is affecting your friend's blood glucose. Alcohol can lower blood glucose too much, possibly leading to those mood swings that you've seen in your friend. Also, high or low blood glucose can lead to someone with diabetes eating more than usual, which could explain the "junk food." Does your friend check his blood glucose with a meter? Is he willing to do so? It's also quite possible that your friend is depressed. Would he be willing to see his doctor or a mental health counselor? Is there a family member of your friend's who you could talk to? Letting him know that you're there to help, not judge, him is often the first step.

Posted by: acampbell | May 11, 2011 10:50 AM

Excellent discussion on the ramifications of a drink and the liver but misses a point. I also have stopped drinking during day and evening due to impact of booze on the liver and performance of metformin. Careful watching on cgm has revealed that alcohol metablizing by liver shuts off the good effects of metformin so that once booze done; liver really starts releasing glucose in large amounts as metformin effects get shut down.; liver switched from fasting to make sugar mode. So, today; I might sip a little wine - minimal effects and only have a hard dring in early am when liver floating around doing not much, metformin mostly gone from blood and gut empty - least impact. Rest of day; no hard booze. It has paid off as I have not had a liver dump during day or evening for weeks now nor out of the ball park glucose readings.

Posted by: jim snell | May 11, 2011 11:16 AM

Hi mame, The immediate concern is the possible effect that alcohol has on your blood glucose, given that you take insulin. You don't mention whether you are seeking help for your alcoholism (which I would strongly encourage), but in order to keep safe, I'd recommend that you check your blood glucose frequently, not skip meals, and always carry treatment for low blood glucose with you at all times.

Posted by: acampbell | Aug 25, 2011 04:32 PM

I am type 1 diabetic and an alcoholic. I drink approximately 70 beers per week. All of my blood work seems to be okay. I am concerned that one day life will collapse. I feel that I can not quit drinking and I do have to rely on insulin. Thoughts Please.

Posted by: mame | Aug 25, 2011 09:18 AM

Amy makes important points and I wanted to add. As old goat 60 plus who started out years ago in fishing industry in Canada - read "drinking"; some folks when sober usually keep their inner frustrations and problems under good control. Once a good dousing of booze, all inhibitions and control get removed and person can actually turn very nasty as the inner control gets loosend off. As insulin not needed for alcohol breakdown in body, biggest issue is that it is hidden calories - no free ride and most important to me is it interferes with glucose/sugar control as liver's priority is booze first - sugars - second. In addition because of this, booze also interferes with metformin operation in liver over riding the metformin and cause excessive liver glucose when the metformin is supposed to be shutting it down. I have found that small amounts of wine generally are not an issue but hard alcohol really gets liver's attention. I have reduced my alcohol overall but when I have a hard liquor drink - rum, vodka etc, I do so when metformin not up to strength in blood after ingestion. I have found with small amounts - single drink and timing nothing seems being knocked out of whack. BUT be carefull - don't push it. I arrived at this using cgms watching all the riots on the blood stream of this 30+ years as type 2 diabetic.

Posted by: jim snell | Jan 27, 2012 03:47 PM

I was told that you can drink tequila as it is made from cacti and not a veggie!!

Posted by: wheeler | Jan 27, 2012 02:55 PM

Hi Kerry, I'm not quite sure what you mean by "snaps," but I'm assuming you mean that he gets angry? In any case, I suspect that his reaction is due to the alcohol, and not because his blood glucose is too high or too low. It's unlikely that his blood glucose is dropping too low because he's not taking his diabetes medicine. In order to "test" this, see what happens after he eats a large meal. Does he "snap" when this happens? The bigger issue is that it sounds like he could use some help dealing with stress and his diabetes. Is he willing to do this?

Posted by: acampbell | Jan 26, 2012 11:00 AM

Just wondering my husband of 12 years who is diabetic and is suppose to be taken pills and overweight. My question is if he is not taking his medication and testing his sugar and under stress and goes out and gets drunk and then all of a sudden snaps but not on a person can the diabeties have anything to do with that?

Posted by: Kerry | Jan 26, 2012 02:47 AM

Hi Melissa M, As I mentioned in my posting above, it's likely that most people with diabetes can safely drink alcohol, as long as they don't have other medical conditions that could be a cause for concern, or take certain medications that could interact with alcohol. That being said, however, you need to be very careful when you drink alcohol, especially if you take diabetes medicines that lower blood glucose (such as insulin or certain types of diabetes pills). Alcohol can be very unpredictable, which is why we advise that you: Always eat something when you drink, limit how much you drink (for women, the guidelines are no more than one drink per day), and check your blood glucose frequently. I'm making an assumption that you take insulin (and I apologize if I'm wrong); in the situation that you described, you likely prevented hypoglycemia by eating beforehand, which is recommended. However, if you were to repeat what you did on another night, you possibly could go low, (especially since you went dancing), either soon after you got home or hours later. The key is to know how alcohol affects you, prevent hypoglycemia from occurring when you do drink, and drink in moderation so that you don't run into issues with hypoglycemia hours later.

Posted by: acampbell | Feb 06, 2012 02:40 PM

Well, there is still a question. As long as ones body glucose is under control, and moderation is key, then one might conclude all is OK. For diabetics though ( and I am talking ype 2 like myself), there are two key issues having to do with: 1. Liver's priority to process hard alcohol first and stop sugars processing from gut which can create big low and super high. It is definitely most curious that all's nature's animals from lowly fruit fly to the mighty elephant can all metabolize ethyl alcohol and I am told elephants in India and africa can bust into a winery/beer operation to drink the stuff. 2. Anybody on Metformin needs to know that booze interferes with metformin affect on liver when metformin up to strength in blood and best advice is not mix the two. Booze will override met and cause liver to boom out the glucose buffer to blood stream shooting up BG levels and some believe liver damage.

Posted by: jim snell | Feb 06, 2012 01:28 PM

last night i went out with my friends to the club and we started to drink and before going i ate at home thinking that it would help me a little so my blood glucose doesnt go down because i have read that alcohol lowers your glucose level. when i began to drink and was on my third glass i started feeling buzzed so i decided to stop and then danced and i was feeling fine and everything. when i got home i checked my blood level it was all good but i did get thirsty in the middle of the night. but i woke up with my blood glucose level just fine in the morning also so i guess it would be ok to drink as long as i plan ahead and be careful how much i have to drink. So is alcohol safe to drink for diabetics??? can we drink alcohol and nothing will happen wrong?

Posted by: Melissa M | Feb 05, 2012 08:04 PM

I'm sitting with my son right now in ICU after he age 21 drank with some friends on Sat. He probably would have died if his girlfriend hadn't insisted on bringing him to the emergency room this morning. He could hardly walk, couldn't quit throwing up because his blood sugar was so high. He came into the hospital this morning with a sugar level at 835! What he had was 1 mixed drink - vodka and orange pop-not diet pop. and then had 6-8 lite beers. He is only about 150 lbs and about 5'6. He's in great physical shape, but this is the 3rd time he has been in icu because of extremely high sugars, although each time, they have been about a year apart. I came on here looking for some sort of advice for a kid who is 21 who you know will drink some with his friends, of what "formula" he could rely on for how much insulin to bolus for a drink. It's only 3 carbohydrates for a bottle and he counts carbs for bolusing. (he's on a pump and is a type1 diabetic.) This is the 3rd time we could have lost him and I can't get it through his thick little head that he can't have that much. He was eating while drinking and he consumed this throughout Sat. evening. Any advice a mom could give her son would be extremely helpful. Then please pray he will listen this time! Thank you in advance. P.S. A year ago he was admitted with sugar level at 900! Insane! I thought he would have learned his lesson! Concerned and loving Mom.

Posted by: Lynette E. | Feb 27, 2012 09:36 PM

clarly a case where booze is a no - no and as diabetic, response is horrible. Beers with combo carb and alcohol sound as no help either. Thank goodness other thinking folks responded with correct help and response. Thank goodness the gods and angels were on duty again!

Posted by: jim snell | Feb 28, 2012 11:41 AM

Hi Lynette, I'm sorry to hear what you and your son have been going through. I wonder if your son is bolusing correctly for food that he's eating, as you mentioned that he was eating while drinking. And are there other occasions when he's consumed alcohol but has not experienced such high blood glucose levels? Do you believe that your son only had one drink? Was your son diagnosed with DKA in the ICU? Is there an issue with his pump or does he perhaps not know how to use it correctly? Your son needs to work closely with his endocrinologist and a diabetes educator to review appropriate pump use and carbohydrate counting, and also to learn how to drink alcohol safely (or perhaps, not at all). And in my opinion, it wouldn't hurt for him to speak with a mental health counselor just to see if there are concerns, barriers, acceptance issues, etc. around his diabetes. This being his third ICU admission is a red flag in terms of how he is truly dealing with his diabetes. I can't imagine that he wants to end up in the ICU again, so he may be receptive to education and additional help. However, nagging him to see his health-care team likely won't work. A gentle but firm suggestion may be more persuasive!

Posted by: acampbell | Feb 29, 2012 12:14 PM

Hi, I was wondering since this site doesnt really display the types of alcohols that wont affect a diabetics sugar levels if you could tell me jsut a few that a Type 1 Diabetic can have?

Posted by: Heather | Mar 02, 2012 05:20 PM

Hi Heather, Of course, everyone is different, but you can start with the assumption that wine, light beer, and spirits (rum, vodka, gin) will pretty much have the same effect on your blood glucose. Where things can get a little tricky is when a person with diabetes drinks a mixed drink that contains carbohydrate and/or fat; for example, a Margarita or a Mudslide. Alcohol's effects are also dependent upon your blood glucose at the time you're drinking and if you're eating food with the drink or drinking on an empty stomach. If you choose to drink, always eat a carbohydrate food at the same time, limit the number of alcoholic beverages that you have, and check your blood glucose more often (including several hours later) than you might usually check. This is really the only way you'll know how alcohol affects you.

Posted by: acampbell | Mar 05, 2012 09:13 AM

I have a friend who is an insulin dependent diabetic! I am really worried as he is also an alcoholic, drinking around 8/10 stubbies a day! How will this effect him?? Concerned friend!!

Posted by: Robyn | Mar 30, 2012 09:26 PM

Hi Robyn, You're right to be concerned about your friend. Drinking that much alcohol on top of having type 1 diabetes can be worrisome. One of the main concerns with drinking alcohol is hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, especially if your friend is not eating when he drinks. It can be hard to broach a subject like this, however. Perhaps you can mention that you're worried about him and if he's willing, share this posting or an article about alcohol and diabetes. You can also voice your concerns with one of his family members, as well.

Posted by: acampbell | Apr 02, 2012 01:20 PM

My wife was diagnosed with Diabetes 1.5 this morning. She is in her early 50's, works long hours, has extremely low bone density levels, has battled anorexia for the past 35+ years and drinks 2-3 glasses of wine daily. Having just found out about her condition a few hours ago, I've just started doing research on this seemingly newly-created diagnosis, and it appears as though her weight issues will preclude any use of insulin as a method to control her body chemistry's blood sugar levels. Is there any resource you can point me to that deals with her specific risk-related issues (the anorexia, alcohol consumption, bone density and low muscle tone, etc.) that would be of help in determining a course of action in dealing with this from this point on. Thank you—

Posted by: Ross | Jun 26, 2012 06:28 PM

Hi Ross, I'm not exactly sure what you mean by her condition "precluding any use of insulin," as there are very few situations in which insulin could not be used. Injected insulin is practically the same as insulin that one's body would make, so I don't see why your wife could not take insulin. The main concern with your wife taking insulin is low blood glucose, and the risk for this increases if she were to drink alcohol on an empty stomach or to not eat after injecting it. Alcohol and some diabetes pills, such as metformin, don't mix very well, either. Her bone density is not likely to be impacted by diabetes medicines other than a class of drugs called TZDs. Your wife's physician may want to refer her to an endocrinologist to help determine the best treatment approach. I'd also suggest working with a diabetes educator to address eating issues and overall blood glucose management.

Posted by: acampbell | Jun 27, 2012 02:22 PM

To the enablers, I read many comments. It is hard to understand why so many people respond with ideas on how a diabatic can keep on drinking. How awful is this! A friend has a horrible swing in his diabaties, he drinks everyday, and sometimes goes overboard. I have saved his life over a 100 times, in the evenings he falls down and goes into a coma. The EMS knows his address by heart. I cannot get him to realize what he is doing, he eats little, and thinks that two drinks a day is fine, but he goes low and has been air flignted to near hospital many times. He fears high sugar levels so much that he gives himself two times the dosage he needs just to keep it at 100. He makes every excuse possible, and I cannot help or save him. People please stop telling diabatics it is okay to drink liquor in any form. As has been said by one of your responders, no one had ever died from not drinking. Stop this nonsense you are the problem. Someone like my friend Joe thinks you really know what you are talking about, you are hurting others.

Posted by: Mary White | Jul 15, 2012 03:34 PM

I couldn't agree more with you Mary White. I am getting so fed up with people telling diabetics that its ok to drink or to encourage them to drink. My husband is an insulin dependent diabetic and his family is always asking him how his diabetes is and if his sugars are ok and if he is feeling all right but then they will turn around and take him out drinking on the weekends and then what happens is he goes out drinking most times he doesn't even get drunk just enough to feel good and then he goes to bed well in the night his sugar drops (this is every time no matter what he eats) and he has never woken up the next morning after one of these drinking night with his sugar above 2 and he is sick for at least 3 days (trust me it is not a hangover as many people would like to blame it on because i don't think drinking 3 beers is going to do that to a man who is over 6 foot tall and weighs over 200lbs)even the doctor has said that when your blood sugar drops it is harder on your heart then high blood sugar also Alcohol can damage nerve cells; even light drinking can cause nerve damage which is something diabetics have problems with. Simply put you wouldn't encourage someone allergic to peanut butter to eat a peanut butter sandwhich or someone with blocked arteries to eat more fatty foods so don't ever encourage a diabetic to drink.

Posted by: Shelly | Jul 27, 2012 12:13 PM

My husband gets overly critical, loud and just rude to me. (Especially, on a the last day of a trip. Or two years ago, in the middle of a road trip.) I can not say a thing for if I do it only escalates. Then when we get home if he has a vodka or two, he becomes human again. He is on Metformin and Insulin as a Diabetes 2. He is also on other meds. I just don't understand. I can make a simple mistake or just do something that accidentally inconveniences even his thoughts of what he wants and by God, minus the fact he doesn't touch me.. I might need to be afraid. Why does Vodka seem to help? Are these moments to hours of violent behavior (verbally) due to the diabetes and the vodka is lowering the glucose levels... making him more reasonable????

Posted by: Tina | Sep 05, 2012 11:23 PM

Tina, this doesn't sound like anything having to do with diabetes. Sounds like he may have a critical disposition and that perhaps he is bullying you and just being unkind. Perhaps your marriage is just not working out or you are incompatible? I am a Type 1 diabetic and I drink, though I wonder if I should because my blood sugars are not in good enough control, despite that fact that I try really hard and test my blood many times a day. The scariest thing about it is that alcohol will sometimes cause your blood sugar to get really low, though I know this so I normally take all necessary precautions. Anyhow, is low blood sugar that can make a person angry and nasty. If drinking makes him feel better, perhaps he is an alcoholic that just needs a drink to feel better? I am not sure what your situation is, but I think you should see a counselor about his behavior and treatment towards you. No one deserves to be mistreated by their spouse! Best wishes!

Posted by: Meow | Sep 25, 2012 02:34 AM

My husband of 20 years went to jail for 2nd CDV,he is a type 1 diabetic,he drink a lot but I can't say if its beer or what because he goes out when he drinks,he have been getting worse lately with his mood swings,before he slapped me and pulled me out of (HIS) big 1500 ram truck in front of a walmart camera,Thanks to some guy that stopped him, I am 5 3 weighing 140 and he is 200 lb.he might be fine one minute and I can't even walk through the house when I wake up before he does,I have lupus, have had 3 neck surgeries,rotator cuff surgery,and now my lower back need surgery,He complains about everything,I cook clean,and make sure his clothes are ironed and he's looking nice when he goes out,But the mental and verbal abuse has about taken it toll on me ,He understand everyone else except my chronic pain that I have all the time,and my dr's can't find anything to give me that doesn't make me sick.the police that arrested him say he might have to make some jail time,but it's to the point it doesn't matter anymore . but his mom ,brothers and two grown children by some one else think the sun rise and sets in their daddy. I have been telling him for years that he doesn't need to drink while on insulin, because one day he came home and had a black out spell and came outside butt naked but he doesn't remember it,he kept saying the sky was red. and it tears my nerves up when he comes home drinking,I can't sleep.

Posted by: rita r | Oct 27, 2012 06:15 AM

Jeez, Rita, why would you want to stay married to such a jerk?! It sounds as if all of YOUR health problems are caused by being in a stressful situation. Just throw him out already!

Posted by: julie | Oct 31, 2012 08:56 PM

Hi Rita. Your husband needs to see a shrink. According to u he is havin major mood swings He needs help more than u do.

Posted by: Gavin | Nov 07, 2012 07:08 AM

Pls don't get into these stupid ppl talks like " jeez Why u are with him or WUTEVER ". Ask urself If u love him, if u wanna be with him and if u really are Then help him seeing a shrink. Why I am telling U this is that I have been thought it. But my wife Loves me more than anybody. I went for a treatment I am class 2 diabetic. I drink vodka only every other day I am takin my MEDS diabetic and for depression. I am fine normal. Abuse is always wrong I am highly Against it. But if u love each other and willing to help U can cure him mentally and physically. But don't Wait for long if u don't see any change. Rest sister I can tell u that love and care can cure anything and yes Pray comes with that. God bless u both. Let me know If it helps you. Or I can introduce to my wife. Too Thanks. Sincerely Gavin.

Posted by: Gavin | Nov 07, 2012 07:16 AM

iam diabatic but i love drink what type i drinck whiske or red wine. also when i drink my sex power increas pl suggest

Posted by: vipul | Dec 08, 2012 04:10 PM

Hi vipul, The guidelines for drinking alcohol for men are no more than two drinks per day, and for women, no more than one drink per day (assuming that you have no other health or medical issues that may be affected by drinking alcohol). A "drink" is 5 ounces of wine, or 1 1/2 ounces of hard alcohol, such as whiskey. Red wine may provide more of a benefit for your heart health than whiskey, but as long as you are drinking in moderation, it likely does not make a big difference which type you choose.

Posted by: acampbell | Dec 10, 2012 04:27 PM

My dad was a diabetic drinking alcohol and forgot to take his medicine. When my aunt founded him he was not responding so when the ambulance got there they said he had lost a lot of oxygen in his brain and one side of his brain was already dead not for sure which side. He stayed in the hospital heavy sedated for 2 months and was sent to a nursing home/rehab center. He hung on for 5 years passed away in April 2012. Just wanted to know was there something that could of been done to prevent this or do it depends on the person?

Posted by: Rosa | Jan 11, 2013 07:40 PM

I am 54 in great shape, I broke my pinky toe two months ago. It has healed up, but it is still red and swollen. My doctor still confused why took a blood test. It came back normal but my blood sugar was 122. I do drink red wine every night with dinner and continue when I am watching my tv programs. Since I have not been near as active in the past two months because of my toe and have never had such a high bsl, do you think the swelling in my toe has something to do with prediabetes? Is 122 alarming?

Posted by: Anne | Jan 15, 2013 04:19 PM

Hi Rosa, I'm very sorry for the loss of your father. It's hard for me to answer your question, as there are likely many factors that played a role in your father's situation. However, it's important, going forward, to follow one's treatment plan for diabetes to help lower the risk of complications.

Posted by: acampbell | Jan 14, 2013 04:05 PM

Hi Anne, Any kind of injury or trauma to the body (including a broken toe) can cause blood glucose levels to increase. Also, if you are predisposed to getting diabetes, an injury, plus a decrease in activity may cause blood glucose levels to increase. A blood glucose of 122 isn't alarming, but my question to you is: Was this measured fasting (first thing in the morning before you ate or drank anything)? A fasting blood glucose of between 100 and 125 may signify prediabetes, but this test should be repeated on another day to confirm a diagnosis.

Posted by: acampbell | Jan 16, 2013 05:55 PM

Hi, I have Type 1 diabetes ( I was diagnosed at 13 and am now 31). My A1c levels have always been between 6-6.5 and I control my blood sugar very well. I take insulin and wear an insulin pump. I drink red wine about 3-4 times a week and have about 2 ( sometimes 3) glasses when I drink. I have no negative social side effects from drinking. My question is: What are the possible side effects on my body ( liver, kidneys, etc.) from drinking this much? Thanks

Posted by: Erika | Jan 20, 2013 12:41 PM

Hi Erika, Recommendations are to drink "in moderation," which means no more than two drinks per day for men, and no more than one drink per day for women. Going beyond these amounts could possibly increase your risk for the following: sleep disruption, weight gain, liver damage (seen mostly in heavy drinkers), increase in the risk of some types of cancer (mouth, esophagus, pancreas, liver, breast), increase in blood pressure, fetal alcohol syndrome (in pregnant women). In terms of your diabetes, drinking alcohol can increase the risk of low blood glucose, especially if you drink on an empty stomach or if you drink after being physically active.

Posted by: acampbell | Jan 24, 2013 01:31 PM

I was curious about the mood being effected by beer when someone has diabetes? My boyfriend drinks two days out of the week. he drinks about a 12 pack. sometimes he gets in these very irrational moods. (1 out of 10 times) its really weird, he is almost a different person and he is only 3 beers in(he is a big guy)so he is not drunk at this point. Can diabetics have mood swings when their sugar levels get low?

Posted by: jennifer | Jan 26, 2013 06:10 PM

Hi Jennifer, Yes, definitely. Low blood glucose has a number of effects on the body, including mood alterations. I suspect that the combination of alcohol and low blood glucose is affecting your boyfriend. While it's probably a good idea for him to cut back on his beer intake, he should at least be certain to eat food when he's drinking and check his blood glucose more often to prevent or at least catch and treat low blood glucose.

Posted by: acampbell | Jan 30, 2013 11:45 AM

Do you know why my Diabetic(non insulin)husband, loses control of his legs when he drinks alcohol??

Posted by: Kimberly Kunkle | Feb 05, 2013 10:15 PM

Hi Kimberly, Depending on how much alcohol your husband is drinking, perhaps the alcohol is affecting his muscles to some extent. However, not being a doctor, I'd suggest that you ask your husband's doctor this question.

Posted by: acampbell | Feb 07, 2013 12:50 PM

Can i drink alcohol im diabetic i wad diagnosed in july but since then have gained control of it. My normal blood sugar is 80-98 and I'm not taking any medication at all for my sugar so is it safe for me to drink? Just wondering if can get drunk

Posted by: beez | Feb 22, 2013 06:35 PM

I am managing type II with diet and exercise. I started drinking one beer with almonds, walnuts, and cashews in the evening, my morning glucose levels have been about 15 points lower on average. Is this normal?

Posted by: jerry | Feb 24, 2013 02:32 PM

Hi beez, The main concern with drinking alcohol in someone with diabetes is the possible risk of low blood glucose. However, this isn't really an issue for someone who is not taking diabetes medicine. That being said, the guidelines for alochol are no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Alcohol contains calories and may worsen or lead to other health issues if too much is consumed. It's always a good idea to ask your doctor if you can safely drink alcohol with diabetes.

Posted by: acampbell | Feb 26, 2013 11:08 AM

Hi jerry, Yes, this is certainly possible. In many people with Type 2 diabetes, the liver releases glucose overnight. However, if the liver is busy "detoxifying" the alcohol from the beer that you drank earlier in the evening, it may not be releasing as much glucose as usual, accounting for your lower glucose readings the next morning. Also, the nuts that you are eating contain fat, and fat (when eating in small to moderate amounts) can also slow the rise in blood glucose. So, it's possible that the beer and nuts are working together to lower your fasting glucose readings. Just keep an eye on portions, as the calories can quickly add up.

Posted by: acampbell | Feb 26, 2013 11:11 AM

I am a type 2 diabetic. I follow Dr Steve Parker's Ketogenic Mediterranean Diet. On this diet you can have 1 glass of red wine 4 to 6 oz. with dinner. I have on rare occasions had a margaretta and my blood sugar was low 2 hr after eating a low carb meal. I feel that if you eat low carb 1 alcoholic beverage with your meal will not hurt you. Those who take insulin however should be more careful.

Posted by: Nell McVeigh | Mar 13, 2013 08:28 AM

Hi Mara, Happy birthday! Your blood glucose levels seem to be running high (20 mmol/l is equal to 360 mg/dl). It's unlikely that if you have one alcoholic drink you will have a low blood glucose. However, there is always a risk for low blood glucose when one takes insulin. I have two pieces of advice for you: If you do have an alcoholic beverage on your birthday, be sure to eat something (like your meal) with the drink. It's a good idea for you to check your blood glucose after you drink alcohol to learn how it affects you. And second, work with your doctor and a diabetes educator to help you bring your blood glucose levels into a lower, safer range for you.

Posted by: acampbell | Apr 09, 2013 11:51 AM

Im turning 18 on thursday and wanna go for my first drink . Im a type 1 diabetic , my blood sugars are usually around the 20's but I really wanna go for my first drink but im scared my bsl levels mite go down heaps . Any advice ???

Posted by: Mara | Apr 09, 2013 06:48 AM

If l drink 1 glass whiskey my blood sugar gives me problems but if I drink 5 or 6 glasses of whiskey im all good how can i have 1 or2 and be alright.

Posted by: George Jones | Apr 28, 2013 04:53 AM

Hi George, I'm not sure what kind of "problems" you're referring to. And I don't really have an explanation for why 5 or 6 glasses of whiskey is OK for you. But if you are having low blood glucose readings as a result of alcohol, I recommend two things: 1. Limit your whiskey intake to no more than two servings per day (a serving of whiskey is 1 1/2 ounces) and 2. Always eat something when you drink, particularly something that contains carbohydrate (bread, potato, rice, pasta, crackers, fruit, etc.). Alcohol can lower blood glucose too much if you don't eat anything and if you take insulin or certain types of diabetes pills.

Posted by: acampbell | Apr 29, 2013 03:12 PM

I am a Type 1(.5) insulin dependent diabetic with an alcoholic disposition. I drink about 3-4 nights a week, and sometimes drink 6-10 drinks (gluten free beer, scotch, bourbon, gin) in a sitting. My problem is not going low but going high. For a day or two after drinking too much, I will have high levels out of nowhere, and will sometimes need 10-30 units of insulin a day just to correct. Is this normal? Is this my liver dumping? Thanks in advance.

Posted by: SteveO | May 05, 2013 08:30 AM

Hi SteveO, Not being a doctor, I can venture an educated guess that your body becomes resistant to the action of insulin, possibly due to alterations in your hormone levels after drinking that much alcohol. Short-term, alcohol can lead to low blood glucose, as you're likely aware. Obviously, cutting back on alcohol is a wise thing to do, but in the meantime, make sure you eat when you drink alcohol and that you are checking your blood glucose often when you do drink.

Posted by: acampbell | May 09, 2013 03:38 PM

Disclaimer of Medical Advice:You understand that the blogs posts and comments to such blog posts (whether posted by us, our agents, bloggers, or by users) do not constitute medical advice or recommendation of any kind and you should not rely on any information contained on such posts or comments to replace consultations with your qualified health care professionals to meet your individual needs. The opinions and other information contained in the blog posts and comments do not reflect the opinions or positions of the Site Proprietor.