Does type 2 diabetes really exist?

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Interesting viewpoint in a video from the Lancet:
Is type 2 diabetes a category error?

 

Perhaps it should be described as a precursor to diabetes. After all, many people who have type two go on to develop type one and often, those who change their eating habits, and lose weight are 'cured'.
Very simplistic description I know, but I'm sure you get the gist.

 

Until this disaster of miscategorisation is resolved I must insist that all amputations associated with this so called diabetes type 2 be reclassified as idiopathic limb length discrepancies.

 

Hi Suzanne,
Just to clarify: a person with T2DM (if, in fact, it does exist)) doesn't go on to develop T1DM. As their insulin resistance increases, they require treatment with insulin, rather than oral hypoglycaemic drugs. But they still have T2DM, it's just the treatment that changes, not the condition. Hope that helps.
Beth

 

Ooohh I like dat!

 

Well, I would say that when a persons resistance to insulin increases, and they go on to dependence on treatment with insulin, they are developing type 1 diabetes, whatever it is that the powers that be eventually decide that the patient has had before.

After all, the whole discussion is whether or not it is the same condition.
There are many people in the world, me included, who get hypoglycaemia, but do not have diabetes.

 

To be clear:
Type I diabetes is an autoimmune process and needs insulin for survival
Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance and does not need insulin (they already have too much)

Type 2 almost never need insulin for survival. If they do, then they are probably a very slow onset Type 1 and were misdiagnosed as a Type 2

 

I have become quite a fan of the writings of Harriet Hall. I just read this blog post of hers on diabetes:
Doves, Diplomats, and Diabetes
It relevant to the topic of this thread and worth a read.