The type of diabetes most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults is type 1 diabetes. Unlike type 2 diabetes, the form of diabetes most frequently seen in older and obese people, type 1 diabetics require insulin for survival. Fortunately, insulin therapy makes it possible for a type 1 diabetic to lead a normal life. Interestingly, people who have type 1 diabetes often enjoy a brief time during the course of their disease referred to as the “honeymoon period”. What does diabetes honeymoon period refer to – and what does it mean if you’re a newly diagnosed diabetic?
The Diabetes Honeymoon Period
A diabetes period may occur briefly after a person is first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the beta-cells that produce insulin are destroyed. As a result, glucose can’t get into cells to serve as an energy source. This lead to high blood sugar levels and cells are deprived of the glucose they need to function properly. Fortunately, a type 1 diabetic can get insulin injections to correct this situation.
When a type 1 diabetic first starts taking insulin, the insulin injections stimulate the few beta-cells that are still functional to produce insulin. During this time, blood sugar levels may return to almost normal even without insulin due to the “turning on” of the remaining beta-cells.
During the diabetes honeymoon period, a type 1 diabetic may need to take less insulin – or sometimes may not require insulin at all, at least temporarily. Unfortunately, the remaining beta-cells eventually lose their ability to function – and the honeymoon comes to an end.
Although a diabetes honeymoon period sounds like a good thing, it can make blood sugars more difficult to control since it’s not always clear how much insulin the body needs, if any, during this time.
A diabetes honeymoon period can last anywhere from a few days to several months, but eventually all type 1 diabetics need regular insulin injections. During the honeymoon period, it’s important to monitor blood sugar levels closely to avoid high or low blood sugars.
The Bottom Line?
Not every person with type 1 diabetes has a diabetic honeymoon period, but many do. The key is to monitor the situation closely with regular blood sugar checks and adjust insulin dosages appropriately.
see also: Diabetes Bracelet
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My son was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed after he took a prescribed drug called prednisone. He went into the doctor for a cold. The doctor said his cough was causing an asthmatic attack and he prescribed prednisone, 20 mg, for 5 days. On the second day, my son was frequently urinating, wetting the bed etc. I thought the medication was flushing through his system. I took him to the doctor and when he checked his urine sugar it was 500 (the highest scale was 500) and his blood was 287. My son was admitted in to the emergency room and his urine glucose was over 1000. His blood sugar was 487. My son is now on insulin, but the doctor had to lower his dose. I am assuming he is going through the honeymoon period, however, I am wondering if the trigger was the prednisone, is it possible that he just exhibited signs of diabetes type 1; but now that his levels are stable, is it possible for it to be permanently stable?
Hi Simone
I am very sorry to hear about your son. I have been a diabetic for 5 years now, and have done a lot of research on the topic. The prednisone is almost guaranteed to be the cause of your sons diabetes. It is quite common, and I can tell you from experience that any steroidal anti-inflammatory wreaks absolute havoc on blood sugar. I would really look into that if I where you, perhaps even look at legal options available to you. Unfortunately it is very unlikely that he will recover now. You can look at an experimental new treatment regarding new onset type 1 diabetes that uses methotrexate and cyclosporin. It is the only thing I have ever found that shows promise, but you have to discuss it with an endocrinologist asap. Google diabetes + cyclosporin + methotrexate. The study was done at the end of 2010. Best of luck to you. Feel free to ask if you have more questions.
i have been diabetic for two months and it is very scary. i cant imagine being a parent and doing all of this for my child. i dont know what caused it but am aware that t1 is believed to be caused by several HLA haplotypes/genes, that make us suseptible, and environmental factors.
to johan, being a diabetic does not make you an expert on cause/effect of developing diabetes. as for legal advice, that is ridiculous. how many of us are entitled to monies because we took some kind of drug for an ailment pre diabetes. get real.
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