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Patient Education...
How does diabetes affect the body and kidneys?
A hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, controls blood sugar. The kidneys destroy excess insulin. Diabetes is caused either by under secretion of insulin by the pancreas, or by the blockage of the action of insulin by antibodies. Diabetes can occur in childhood, or later in life. The former is called Type 1 Diabetes and the latter, Type 2 Diabetes.
Uncontrolled high blood sugar can damage the filtering units (nephrons) of the kidneys, causing protein to leak into the urine. Prolonged damage can cause the body wastes, like urea, creatinine, etc. (which are normally excreted by the kidneys) to accumulate in the body. These body wastes are toxins and can affect all organs in the body.
You have read above that excess insulin is destroyed in the normal human being, by healthy kidneys. When kidneys are damaged by diabetes (Diabetic nephropathy), the excess insulin is no longer destroyed, and starts accumulating in the body. Blood sugar is, consequently, brought down, and you may need to take less insulin or stop insulin altogether. This may give the impression that your diabetes has been cured. Beware! Your blood sugar levels are under control because of kidney damage.
Diabetes can also affect the eyes (Diabetic retinopathy), the heart, the blood vessels and other organs. Your nephrologist will, therefore, direct you to other
specialists.
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