Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high. When people talk about blood glucose or blood sugars they mean the same thing and often use the terms interchangeably.
The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin which controls the amount of glucose in our blood.
The body needs insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells for use as energy. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce any insulin whereas in type 2 the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, and the insulin it does produce doesn’t work properly.
Why is cystic fibrosis associated with diabetes?
In most people with cystic fibrosis the pancreas doesn’t work properly, also known as pancreatic insufficiency, and this causes two important medical issues.
Firstly, the pancreas is unable to produce enough digestive enzymes. These break down foods such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats so the gut can absorb them.
This is why most people with cystic fibrosis have to take pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Creon®) with food and snacks containing fat.
Secondly, the pancreas reduces insulin production or even stops and this can result in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD).
