“Does alcohol use lead to diabetes?”
My question is can alcohol cause diabetes? Can a person drink four whiskeys in the evening only and cause my glucose to rise? Here are the results of two blood tests.
Glucose Level
Non-fasting
Result
Oct 28, 2021
91 mg/dL
6:30 pm
Fasting
Oct 19, 2021
105 mg/dL
8:32 am
I do not eat sweets, pastries, add any sugar to anything. Don't like sugar. No substantiated information if diabetes runs in the family.
Glucose Level
Non-fasting
Result
Oct 28, 2021
91 mg/dL
6:30 pm
Fasting
Oct 19, 2021
105 mg/dL
8:32 am
I do not eat sweets, pastries, add any sugar to anything. Don't like sugar. No substantiated information if diabetes runs in the family.
Male | 70 years old
Complaint duration: Unknown
Medications: None
Conditions: Pre-diabetes
2 Answers
Dear Patient,
Severe alcohol use leading to pancreatitis can cause diabetes, requiring treatment. In type 1 diabetics where alcohol intake was studied, sugars tend to be low and may lead to severe hypoglycemia due to alcohol's effect on metabolic cycles, which control sugar balance to protect us. You have an fbs of 105, which indicates pre-diabetes, but no family history of diabetes. I would have liked to know your A1c level. At this point, I would suggest following up with your physician periodically and keeping alcohol intake to two drinks or less after dinner, protecting against pancreatitis or liver disease.
Respectfully,
Marvin A. Leder, MD FACP FACE
Severe alcohol use leading to pancreatitis can cause diabetes, requiring treatment. In type 1 diabetics where alcohol intake was studied, sugars tend to be low and may lead to severe hypoglycemia due to alcohol's effect on metabolic cycles, which control sugar balance to protect us. You have an fbs of 105, which indicates pre-diabetes, but no family history of diabetes. I would have liked to know your A1c level. At this point, I would suggest following up with your physician periodically and keeping alcohol intake to two drinks or less after dinner, protecting against pancreatitis or liver disease.
Respectfully,
Marvin A. Leder, MD FACP FACE
Yes, it's associated as a causative agent for it. 1 oz of alcohol is the same as 12 Oz beer or 6-8oz of wine. Any more than “1 beverage a day" is considered high risk or more dependent on the amount per week and if male or female. The liver function tests, pancreatic enzymes, basic metabolic profile and CBC/D is what I’d like to know.
Best wishes and please speak with your primary care provider or specialist.
Be well,
Brent Reinheimer, MD
Best wishes and please speak with your primary care provider or specialist.
Be well,
Brent Reinheimer, MD
