To think that this was caused by heavy drinking

[Macbeth8]

I used to post on MN with old username about DH's drinking
.it got particularly bad during lockdown and he would finish 2 litre Russian standard vodkas in a week!!! This was basically more or less every single week.
No matter what I did/said never discouraged him.
Fast forward to this year where he has embarked on a new career (previous posts will give you more info 😉)
He has had to have a medical as a part of his job. Glucose was flagged up in his urine and was told to make GP appointment when back home (has been stationed away)
He seemed dead certain it was nothing whereas I said it could be due to the amount he drank and TBF still drinks quite a lot (well to me as I am quite a health nut)
Anyway, became very desfensive but it so happe s after his blood test result he has high glucose so what they are naming 'pre diabetes'
Also high cholesterol

Can this be caused by his previous heavy drinking and drinking more than reccomended units?
He is dead certain it isnt and has become quite rude sending me NHS links on it and highlighting everything
Saying it doesnt mention alcohol at all
Everytime I suggest it coulf he becomes argumentative

It could be a contributing factor, sure. Along with loads of other things. It won't be the sole cause though.

How is it caused?

Usually diet. Carb heavy food can lead to diabetes.

www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/what-to-drink-with-diabetes/alcohol-and-diabetes
This a good resource. It seems there is alink but it's amongst a whole other list of lifestyle factors so could be a contributing factor.

I thought glucose was more associated with diabetes? I wouldn't jump to conclusions though or make accusations.

Which come from carbohydrates.

High calorie intake, diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, genetics, having any other autoimmune disease, list goes on… Alcoholism could be a factor in theory but no way of knowing conclusively. Sounds like he knows he has not treated his body well and is ashamed/embarrassed tbh.

Pre diabetes is very common. It is NOT diabetes, so a change in diet and lifestyle will keep it at bay. Not brought on solely through excessive alcohol, although it doesn't help I suppose.

I'd be more concerned about fatty liver. Did he have an LFT (liver function test).

Genetic/hereditary factors, stress, inactivity, diet, sleep (night shifts make you more at risk), weight etc are usually considered to be part of it. I was underweight when I was diagnosed with type 2.

You are right @Macbeth8 see: Light-to-Moderate Alcohol Intake Is Associated With Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity

Is going on about it really going to change anything though?

Moderate drinking is 7-14 units a week.
2l of vodka a week is certainly not light to moderate.

We w w BC. W we w w w. W be w w we V

Its odd though. His doet is fairly good because of me as I cook fresh food usually curries, rice, stir frys. I always envy him as he hasnt got a sweet tooth at all whereas I do and can happily eat cookies and cakes if they are ready available.
He had to get fit to obtain his new career that hes on training for now so tbh he is pretty fit as the bleep test they have to do to get through is 7.5 higher than than the standard Police one.

He does alot of DIY
The only unhealthy habits I would say he has is drinking way over the NHS unit guidelines.
When hes working away he will have the full English and eats out quite alot but again I wouldnt say his lifestyle is particularly unhealthy one.

My DP was diagnosed with diabetes in his mid 40s so he's been diabetic for about 12 years. He's been a recovering alcoholic for 8 years.

It could be caused by loads of things.

Drinking, poor diet, genetics, sedentary lifestyle, weight, lack of sleep and a big dose of bad luck in some people.

I think it's hugely unfair to blame his drinking alone.

@userxx that isn't quite true. Diet can cause excess weight which can contribute to the development of T2 diabetes. "Carb heavy" foods don't cause any kind of diabetes in themselves.

What does he drink the vodka with?

You don’t know for sure it’s caused by drinking alone so I don’t think you preaching at him is helpful.

Quite.

I wasnt. If you look at my pp there is nothing else within his lifestyle that could contribute to type 2 diabetes so I am looking at the bigger picture.
The only "unhealthy" attribute would be his excessive drinking.

@ddoodlywoodlydingdong
Used to be pure orange juice
Then when he wanted to get fit for his new job role he stuck to diet drinks.
So sugar free lemonade mostly

He is also a beer/lager drinker too
Has about 4-5 bottles then moves onto vodka.

Well, it could be genetics. It could also be all the orange juice he had as mixers!

There's links between sugary drinks AND diet drinks to increased diabetes risk, fwiw. Diet drinks possibly more so.

www.diabetes.co.uk/diet-soft-drinks.html

Post t2 diagnosis, I'm allowed 80ml of orange juice a day - it's easy to underestimate how much sugar's in it.

Alcohol is filled with sugar. Sugar is a carb. Too many carbs, especially sugar, cause T2 diabetes. He has got a sweet tooth, he just dates it with alcohol. This is more just about you wanting him to stop drinking which he won't really do so you have some decisions to make as to how long you want to live with an alcoholic for.