Prednisone and diabetes ll

[Sunshine1]

Hi Y'all,

I've heard this once- that Prednisone can be a factor in diabetes II.

Does anyone have info on this topic?

thanxs

[fraulein_Maria]

[QUOTE=Sunshine1;19025]Hi Y'all,

I've heard this once- that Prednisone can be a factor in diabetes II.

Does anyone have info on this topic?

>>> not yet. i will look it up when i'm fully back in action. But my top of the head response is that prednisone specifically is probably less a risk factor than virilization generally. PCOS woman talk about being "insulin resistent" all the time, and most of them claim to not have CAH and are not on any cortosteroids.

[Meadow]

Sunshine1,

I would be very careful in prescribing prednisone to a diabetic patient. The effects of prednisone (a cortico-steroid) include: reducing inflammation in the body especially used in neuro trauma cases, supressing the immune system as in patients with autoimmune problems and asthma, and stimulating glucose production. It is the latter effect that can only exacerbate the problems associated with diabetes.

Of course, we all know that diabetes, no matter what the cause, is from an inadequate supply of insulin. Insulin helps regulate the level of glucose in the bloodstream. A lack of insulin results in high levels of glucose. It is this high level of glucose over long periods of time that results in many of the debilitating problems of diabetic patients. The increased blood glucose levels caused by a corticosteroid are relatively short lived (up to 24 hours), so sort term use could be valuable, such as in the trauma patient. However, long term use of corticosteroids like prednisone can likewise have adverse affects. That is why care should be taken in its use.

Hope this helps.