My 12-year-old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes weeks after her Covid vaccine. Her doctor says there has been a huge rise in childhood cases of the condition since the pandemic. Could the vaccines be to blame?
Type 1 diabetes tends to start in childhood, but it is true that rates have shot up since the pandemic.
People with the condition cannot produce enough of the hormone insulin to keep their blood sugar levels in check. This is because their immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
Left unchecked, the high blood sugar levels can lead to serious problems such as blindness, heart disease and loss of limbs.
Further research is needed before firm conclusions can be made about any link between the vaccine and type 1 diabetes, but it is highly unlikely Covid vaccines are to blame for the rise in the condition
About 450,000 people in the UK have type 1 diabetes and doctors are still unsure what causes it (Posed by model)
For this reason, patients rely on regular insulin jabs to keep their blood sugar at a healthy level.
About 450,000 people in the UK have type 1 diabetes and doctors are still unsure what causes it.
We have a greater understanding of type 2 diabetes – affecting about five million people in the UK – which is caused by obesity, poor diet and a lack of exercise.
Researchers began to notice a rise in type 1 diabetes in children early in the pandemic. Within a year, there was a 14 per cent increase in diagnoses, compared to before Covid. And, two years in, the rate was up by about a third from pre-pandemic times.
While researchers have not concluded what is behind this rise, there are a number of compelling theories. It’s possible these children got Covid, and their immune systems overreacted, leading to the destruction of their insulin-producing pancreas cells.
Another theory is that there are certain – unknown – germs that most children pick up in their early years, which help guard against conditions like diabetes.
Some researchers argue that, due to lockdowns and social distancing measures, some did not pick these up, increasing their risk of diabetes.
Further research is needed before firm conclusions can be made, but it is highly unlikely Covid vaccines are to blame for the rise in type 1 diabetes.
This is because the rise in diagnoses began before most children received the vaccine. Those aged between 12 and 15 were not offered the jab until the end of 2021. Meanwhile five to 11-year-olds did not receive it until midway through 2022.
There has also been no evidence that vaccinated adults were more likely to get diabetes.
Whatever the cause, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis can be hard. Charities, such as Diabetes UK, can provide support and advice.
I’m 64 and my hair has started to thin at an alarming rate. My GP says I’m otherwise healthy and it’s unlikely to be due to any medicines I’m taking. Do you think HRT could help?
Hair loss is distressing no matter what age or gender you are – and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could help.
This is because hair thinning is a common menopausal symptom, and is linked to the fall in the female hormone oestrogen. HRT – which boosts levels – helps slow hair loss. Some women even report hair regrowth, though patients shouldn’t expect this.
A GP can prescribe HRT after assessment to see if it is the best course of action. You would only be offered it if you were perimenopausal or menopausal.
Older women are sometimes cautioned against taking HRT as, over age 60, the risks – including a small increased chance of cancer – may start to outweigh the benefits.
The menopause is not the only cause of hair loss in women.
Female-pattern hair loss, where the hair thins over time, can also strike. It tends to be genetic but you can have it even if your parents didn’t.
Doctors can prescribe a lotion, minoxidil, to treat it, which can slow and even reverse hair loss.
I’ve been diagnosed with a genetic illness I’d never heard of before called AATD that can damage your lungs and liver. I’m worried that my son could be in danger too.
Do you have more information about the condition?
AATD, or alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, is a common genetic condition affecting about 22,000 people in the UK.
It causes lung and liver problems, which can range from mild to life-threatening.
Patients often first suffer breathlessness and wheezing as adults. This is typically caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often associated with smoking or old age.
People can also get liver cirrhosis – scarring – and even liver cancer. This means, patients are closely monitored.
Those with AATD who smoke, drink or are obese are more likely to be severely affected, so avoiding these habits is crucial.
Screening family members for AATD is also important. This includes children and siblings. This can be done through a blood test carried out by a GP.
Some people carry the faulty gene linked to AATD but don’t have the illness, meaning they can pass it on to their children without realising it.
The charity Asthma and Lung UK supports people with AATD as does the British Liver Trust.
WHAT GP ‘WORK TO RULE’WILL MEAN FOR PATIENTS
Family doctors are not going on strike , but have decided on work-to-rule action
You will undoubtedly have seen the headlines that GPs have launched industrial action, over a contract dispute, which is expected to last for several months.
Family doctors are not going on strike – but they will be choosing between a number of protest measures, including limiting the number of appointments they carry out to 25 a day, a move known as ‘work to rule’.
However, patients who believe they need to see their GP should still request an appointment. Not all GPs are taking part in the protest, so it’s possible your local surgery may be unaffected.
All practices will still be open between 8am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. GPs will assess all requests and prioritise those most in need. Anyone who has possible cancer symptoms will be seen urgently.
Asda helping to spot mouth cancer
The NHS and Asda have teamed up to provide vital advice on millions of toothpaste tubes and mouthwash bottles encouraging people to contact their GP or dentist if they notice any potential symptoms of mouth cancer
The supermarket isn’t normally the place you’d expect to be reminded about the risk of mouth cancer, but that’s exactly what Asda has decided to do.
From this month, its own-brand oral hygiene products – such as toothpaste and mouthwash – will list the symptoms.
These include white or red patches in the mouth which do not heal within three weeks, a lump or swelling in the mouth, jaw or neck that lasts for more than three weeks, and difficulty swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue.
The campaign, in partnership with the NHS, couldn’t come at a more important time.
Mouth cases are often being picked up too late due to the shortage of dentists, so I’m pleased Asda has decided to help tackle this issue.
And if you have any of the symptoms listed, please see your GP urgently.
Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Email [email protected]. Dr Cannon cannot enter into personal correspondence and her replies should be taken in a general context.
