“Type 1 diabetic for life not needing insulin anymore?”

Dear Friend of Patient,

Type 1 diabetic patients can never stop their insulin as their pancreatic beta cells no longer produce insulin. Off of insulin, these patients develop diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a condition that can cause death. I am sure your friend is a type 2 diabetic who, due to poor control, was placed on insulin. This patient has most probably improved due to low-calorie diet and weight loss caused by HCG injections and accompanying diet.

This patient is not a type 1 diabetic; they cannot be off insulin as their pancreas no longer produces insulin. Off insulin, they develop diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition caused by fat metabolism leading to nausea, vomiting, dehydration, kidney failure, and potential death if not immediately treated with insulin and fluids. This patient is most likely a type 2 diabetic who is on a low calorie diet as well as the HCG injections. Type 2 diabetics frequently have severe insulin resistance due to obesity and weight loss allows their pancreas to produce insulin and for the body tissues to be more sensitive to the insulin lowering the blood sugar level.

Respectfully,

Marvin A. Leder, MD FACP FACE

i am not aware of a case scenario where you can come off insulin like that. If you do that then, follow very closely with an endocrinologist. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a fatal complication that can happen if not on insulin.

If she is doing the HCG diet, she may only be eating 500 calories per day of pure protein.... in that case she will not need any mealtime insulin and will only need a very small amount of basal insulin to survive. You can be called a Type 1 diabetic any time your c-peptide is <1.0 - which means your capacity to make insulin is very low... but there is a spectrum between Type 1s who truly make zero insulin, and those who still make a tiny bit. The Type 1s who truly make zero insulin will go into Diabetic ketoacidosis within a few hours or at most a day of skipping all insulin dosing. The Type 1s who still make a tiny amount of insulin can sometimes get by on extremely low carb diets like your friend and still be ok. However they should always be in contact with their doctor (preferably an endocrinologist) and inform their doctor whenever making such extreme changes in their diet and insulin dosing.

In type 1 diabetes, individuals rely on insulin delivery, usually by injection, to lead a normal and productive life. This condition can only be reversed through the transplantation of pancreatic tissue to secure insulin production. HCG is a hormone that supports the development of eggs and ovulation in the female's ovary. Its use in the prevention or treatment of
diabetes is considered investigational. It cannot replace insulin, but it may have a role in improving sensitivity of tissues to insulin. This could benefit patients with type 2 diabetes who are resistant to the insulin they produce. Discontinuing insulin in any circumstance should be considered carefully, with glucose monitoring and under medical supervision. In the present
classification of diabetes, individuals who no longer require insulin treatment to maintain blood glucose control cannot be considered type 1.

Nicholas H.E. Mezitis, MD, PhD

By definition, a type 1 diabetic makes either no or inconsequential amounts. More than likely, your friend is a MODY, or maturity onset diabetic of the young. HCG does not help diabetes. It does increase testosterone in men. It does cause ovulation in non menopausal women. It does not help weight loss. It is silly. All pregnant women with high HCG levels would lose weight. No one on god's green earth knows how to find a way to have patients lose and keep weight weight off. If they did, that would be worth 1 trillion of any currency. All claims that say they will solve the problem are not truthful. On the other hand, everyone knows how to lose weight, but only 3% can actually do what is necessary.