Diabetes can mimic ADHD, and ADHD can mimic diabetes.

[Peripheral]

In this thread I would like to explore physiological relationship between ADHD and Diabetes.

There is often controversy surrounding the existence of ADHD.


When a person who thinks they have ADHD,

improves their blood sugar levels,

and all of the signs of ADHD,

completely go away!


Resulting in the claim that ADHD is not real.


When in fact the person never had ADHD,

and really has symptoms of diabetes.


The Vagus Nerve, the Hypothalamus(any other things?) also have a role in both diabetes,

and ADHD.


I would like to know more about how ADHD and Diabetes.

indirectly influence each other?


I have lots of questions...

Example:

If diabetes can make cognitive impairment worse,

then can ADHD make diabetes worse in some way?


With the goal of understanding both health conditions better.

Input appreciated.


I think the information below is a good starting point,

in the discussion:

...Brain cells rely solely on glucose for their energy needs and require a steady glucose supply.

So major alterations in insulin secretion indirectly impair brain function,

by changing blood sugar levels.

High insulin levels (e.g., by injection) cause hypoglycemia,

depriving the brain of energy and ATP,

resulting in confusion,

cognitive dysfunction,

and even convulsions and death...

Kapit/Macey/Meisami, The PHYSIOLOGY COLORING BOOK, p 123.

[Amtram]

There have been some studies showing a potential comorbidity between ADHD and glucose processing, but they're a little limited in indicating a strong correlation. I can't really pore through them right now, but in some cases in which both ADHD and hypo- or hyper-glycemia exists, treatment of the glucose imbalance has had a positive effect on the ADHD symptoms.

This doesn't mean that all people with ADHD are going to have a problem with their glucose levels, or that all people with ADHD will benefit significantly from dietary changes to affect glucose levels, but that there might be some evidence that indicates further research into correlations between the two.

Some people here have benefited from switching to a high protein, low glycemic index diet, some have not noticed any change. Those who did might be advised to get some fasting blood tests for glucose levels.

[Peripheral]

Originally Posted by Amtram

There have been some studies showing a potential comorbidity between ADHD and glucose processing, but they're a little limited in indicating a strong correlation. I can't really pore through them right now, but in some cases in which both ADHD and hypo- or hyper-glycemia exists, treatment of the glucose imbalance has had a positive effect on the ADHD symptoms.

This doesn't mean that all people with ADHD are going to have a problem with their glucose levels, or that all people with ADHD will benefit significantly from dietary changes to affect glucose levels, but that there might be some evidence that indicates further research into correlations between the two.

Some people here have benefited from switching to a high protein, low glycemic index diet, some have not noticed any change. Those who did might be advised to get some fasting blood tests for glucose levels.

I agree 130 percent.

Exactly what I was thinking overall.

I think everyone could benefit,

but some people who already have daily "healthy" regulation of blood sugar levels,

would not see nearly as significant changes.


I can notice a difference between eating complex sugars and simple sugars.

Age might also have a role in the importance of the information?

Thanks

The issues between the hypothalamus and diabetes so far are not as simple for me to comprehend,

when referring to the effect on people with ADHD.

Looking forward to your input.

[Amtram]

Age is a hard thing to factor in. Susceptibility to diabetes increases with age, and may or may not be controllable through dietary changes alone. I'm not aware of any studies that address age-related changes in ADHD. . .

[Peripheral]

Originally Posted by Amtram

Age is a hard thing to factor in. Susceptibility to diabetes increases with age, and may or may not be controllable through dietary changes alone. I'm not aware of any studies that address age-related changes in ADHD. . .

The thought of indirectly effecting other functions,

is a topic that I never thought much about,

that I would like to learn more about.


Technically,

I would guess and only a guess?

If a person had both ADHD and Diabetes,

if diabetes can indirectly effect ADHD.

then I assume that ADHD would indirectly effect diabetes?

But that is only an assumption.

I really don't know where I am going with this.

Except to understand the concepts in general.

Age related ADHD topics.

Reminds me of the topic about differences in ADHD.,

related to age and gender.

Never really studied the topics yet,

but it would be interesting to know what is known.

Thanks for your input.

[Amtram]

This is another case in which you need to remember that correlation is not causation. The two conditions have certain symptoms that are similar to one another. Therefore, checking the one that can be tested for (diabetes) is important before rushing in to treat possibly nonexistent ADHD. If it's found, and treating the diabetes relieves the symptoms, then the symptoms were caused by the diabetes rather than the ADHD. If the symptoms persist, then you proceed to treating the ADHD as well.

There seems to be a slightly higher chance of both conditions co-existing, especially in males. However, what's been tested is glucose levels in people with ADHD, not ADHD in people with diabetes.

The conclusion is that there is a slightly increased possibility among people who have ADHD (especially males) to also have diabetes. This does not mean that people who have diabetes are more likely to have ADHD, or that people who have ADHD are highly likely to have diabetes as well. It's more of an interesting observation than a conclusive piece of evidence.

[Peripheral]

Originally Posted by Amtram

This is another case in which you need to remember that correlation is not causation. The two conditions have certain symptoms that are similar to one another. Therefore, checking the one that can be tested for (diabetes) is important before rushing in to treat possibly nonexistent ADHD. If it's found, and treating the diabetes relieves the symptoms, then the symptoms were caused by the diabetes rather than the ADHD. If the symptoms persist, then you proceed to treating the ADHD as well.

There seems to be a slightly higher chance of both conditions co-existing, especially in males. However, what's been tested is glucose levels in people with ADHD, not ADHD in people with diabetes.

The conclusion is that there is a slightly increased possibility among people who have ADHD (especially males) to also have diabetes. This does not mean that people who have diabetes are more likely to have ADHD, or that people who have ADHD are highly likely to have diabetes as well. It's more of an interesting observation than a conclusive piece of evidence.

Interesting,

What I have noticed is that people with ADHD are "slightly" more likely to get many other different health issues.


I personally think this is due to peoples unique experiences and individual regulation sensitivity levels,

mostly decided in early life.


I understand I can be confusing,

I am not really wondering if a person with ADHD is more likely to have Diabetes.

Or a person with Diabetes is more likely to have ADHD.


I am wondering how having ADHD (an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex)

effects how the rest of body works indirectly,

like insulin regulation in the pancreas,

when the prefrontal cortex is underdeveloped?


There seems to many different "systems" directly,

and indirectly effecting each other,

at the same time.



If a person has ADHD,

how much does ADHD effect the pancreas?

[Peripheral]

Are the organ systems in the body,

the first primative brain?


Is the brain we have now,

our second brain?

Regulating our first primative brain (body organs)

and newer evolved Peripheral Sensory?

[Spacemaster]

I would think that managing diabetes would be much more difficult if you had ADHD. I can't imagine having to remember to test my blood sugar several times a day and manage insulin doses. Yikes! I would be a terrible diabetes patient.

[Peripheral]

Originally Posted by Spacemaster

I would think that managing diabetes would be much more difficult if you had ADHD. I can't imagine having to remember to test my blood sugar several times a day and manage insulin doses. Yikes! I would be a terrible diabetes patient.

I know what you mean.

I would forget if I gave myself insulin,

or not?

If there was only a way to measure dopamine levels,

like blood sugar