Impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes

What is impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes?

The amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood is regulated by insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. This organ is located on the right side of the upper abdomen, just behind the stomach. During eating, the sugar level in the blood rises. The pancreas responds immediately and begins to release insulin. Insulin helps muscles and other body cells absorb sugar from the bloodstream. This causes the sugar level in the blood to return to normal values.

A damaged pancreas produces insufficient or no insulin. This is called impaired glucose metabolism. Diabetes occurs when the body needs more insulin than the pancreas produces. If your blood sugar is consistently too high, the blood vessels can become damaged. This can lead to eye, nerve, and kidney problems. Diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease and strokes.

With proper care, you can lead a healthy life with diabetes and have a much lower risk of these complications. Damage to the pancreas cannot be repaired, but by exercising regularly, eating healthily, and watching your weight, you can reduce blood sugar problems.

Do I have an increased risk of impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes?

Everyone, including people who have not had cancer, can develop impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes. However, some cancer treatments can increase the risk.

The following treatment can increase the risk of impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes:

• Radiation to the pancreas or to an area where the pancreas is located

You can see in your treatment summary whether you have received this radiation. If you do not have a summary, you can contact the LATER clinic or the hospital where you were treated.

Impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes do not always have to be caused by treatment. There may be other causes, such as an autoimmune disease, aging, or overweight and obesity. You have a higher risk of impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes when it occurs frequently in your family or if you are of Afro-Caribbean, Afro-African, or South Asian descent.

What are the symptoms and signs of impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes?

Certain symptoms and signs may indicate impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes. Even if you do not have these symptoms and signs at the moment, it is important to recognize them in case you ever develop them.

The following symptoms and signs may indicate impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes:

• Frequent urination

• Increased thirst

• Being more tired than normal

• Weight loss without cause

• Genital itching or thrush

• Dizziness, blurred vision

• Increased hunger

• Regular infections

If you recognize any of these symptoms or signs, contact your general practitioner or LATER physician. You can also have impaired glucose metabolism without having symptoms. Your general practitioner or LATER physician can perform blood tests to check your blood sugar level.

I have an increased risk of impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes. What tests are necessary and when?

If you have an increased risk of impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes, the recommendation is:

• Have a blood test done at least every 5 years. This can be:

  • A fasting blood test to measure blood sugar level

  • An HbA1c blood test to measure your average blood sugar level over two to three months

What happens if I have impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes?

If you have impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes, your general practitioner or LATER physician will likely refer you to an:

• Internist specialized in diabetes

They will discuss treatment options with you. The internist may advise you to adjust your diet and exercise more, if necessary with help from a dietitian or physiotherapist. They may also prescribe medication to lower blood sugar levels. The recommendation may be to have your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other lipids checked regularly.

Overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia, like impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes, play a role in the development of cardiovascular problems.

What else can I do?

It can be difficult to live with an increased risk of impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes. Talking with friends and family can help. Contact with people in a similar situation can also be helpful, for example through a patient association such as VOX, part of the Dutch Childhood Cancer Association.

Above all, take good care of yourself. With a healthy lifestyle, you can reduce the risk of impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes. Also take care of your mental health. Small changes can already have a positive impact on your physical and mental health.

It is important that you know you can develop impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes and that you recognize the symptoms and signs. If you have questions or are concerned after reading this information, contact your general practitioner or LATER physician.

Where can I find more information?

This LATER website also contains information about:

• Dyslipidemia

• Healthy lifestyle

• High blood pressure

• Mental health

• Overweight and obesity

In the PanCare Plain Language Summaries you will find links to reliable information in English. You can search for information about impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes online, but keep in mind that it is sometimes not up-to-date or accurate.

Disclaimer

This information is based on the PLAIN language summary of the guideline below, created by the PanCare PLAIN Information Group, and has been adapted to the Dutch LATER guideline where necessary. If you experience symptoms and signs, do not rely solely on this information, but consult your general practitioner, LATER physician, or specialist.