CF Related Diabetes acts similarly to both Type 1 and Type 2 but it does not fall into either category. It is a beast all on it’s own. As CF warriors are living longer, the more complications we are having, and diabetes is just one to add to the list.

Ok, so that’s nice to know, but what the heck does insulin do anyway?! This took me a great while to comprehend. Until my new, and most wonderful, diabetes doctor simply explained how every body gets the energy it needs to survive.

Insulin is the only chemical in the body that moves nutrients, like sugars, from the blood stream into the cells. The cells use the sugars for energy.

Without insulin, a person can eat large amounts of food and actually be in a state of starvation since the body’s cells cannot access the calories contained in the glucose well without the action of insulin.

Now, what is Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

In people with Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is not able to make insulin. Most of these people must take insulin shots to survive. This is sometimes called insulin dependence.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s lack of response to insulin produced by the pancreas, sometimes called insulin resistance.

How is CF Related Diabetes (CFRD) different?

CFRD is more the same, than it is different, to both types of diabetes.

The pancreas in a CFRD person is most likely scared from “stuck” digestive juices. (See my post about my diagnosis for an explanation of an auto-digested pancreas). Usually, the pancreas can secrete SOME insulin, but just not enough for the system to function properly. So, we are insulin dependent, (we need to take insulin shots) like Type 1.

Chronic underlying infections also cause our bodies to become insulin resistant, like Type 2. Insulin resistance means your body does not use insulin normally. More insulin is required to metabolize food. As well, other chemicals in the body increase in response to stress, like infection. Some of these chemicals interfere with insulin levels which results in an increase in a person’s blood sugar levels.

It is very important for a person with CFRD to take insulin. One, to make up for the insufficient amounts not made by the diseased pancreas. And two, to make up for the increase in blood glucose from the body’s chemical reactions from stress.