Anyone with type 1 diabetes?

[rosie991]

I've heard coronavirus is especially dangerous to people who have type 1 diabetes.

My husband is type 1 and I'm worried about him catching it as he works in a crowded city. Is there anyone here with type 1 diabetes and are you taking any extra precautions?

The JDRF have issued guidelines which you can google.

I would self isolate. There’s no evidence that it will be more complicated for T1 but infection increases blood sugar, increasing risk of DKA and the big doses of insulin needed to counteract that will lead to hypos. I wouldn’t want a T1 crisis with the NHS so stretched.

And make sure he has plenty of supplies, test strips, lancets, insulin, needles or pump supplies. And hypo treatments.

Yes. Not doing anything other than what's recommended. I don't think it's particularly dangerous for type 1s if you have good control and are otherswise fit and healthy.

I believe it is dangerous if your diabetes isn't under control.
My Dd has T1 and has started using Libra recently, it helps her with sugar contro/hypos. Has your Dh considered using it?

Yes I am, I am reasonably concerned. I am predominantly working from home going forward which should reduce some of the risk. Also trying to go out as little as possible and still keep sane.

An added complication is that I am also 27 weeks pregnant so I have loads of medical appointments and don't know if these are even worth it. Basically, I am trying to keep away from people for the next 3 months!!!

If its any comfort, the increased risks seems to come from uncontrolled diabetes so he shouldn't necessarily be overly concerned if he has good control.

His diabetes isn't under control which worries me... he has regular hypos and despite trying to control it now (after years of being slap-dash) doctors are still concerned about it

Hi @rosie991, it would be more the consistent high blood sugars that would impact his immune system. Hypos aren't good and dangerous too but I don't think it would increase his risk of getting coronavirus. In terms of years of bad blood sugars he can just get it under control now and he shouldn't be at risk. I would echo a message above, he should take to his doctor about getting a free style libre which monitors blood sugars constantly, its a real game changer.

Is it really true that well controlled diabetics fare better with Coronavirus? I’m T1 too Op and I’m terrified of catching it. I am well controlled ish.....that’d be great news though if control was a factor.

I always thought it was about having low immunity anyway as a diabetic, but I couldn’t understand why we automatically have a lower immune system (we don’t take anything that suppresses our immune system) so why are we more at risk?