On 9/8, Dr. Duong Minh Tuan from the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department at Bach Mai Hospital, reported on a 30-year-old woman who had initially managed her diabetes with insulin. In recent years, she discontinued the medication, adopted a vegetarian diet, and eliminated carbohydrates.
After stopping insulin, the patient felt better, lost weight, and resumed normal activities, leading her to believe she had recovered. "In reality, during this period, the body may not exhibit obvious symptoms, but damage to small and large blood vessels continues to progress," Dr. Tuan explained. He added that this is the "calm before the storm" – the most dangerous time.
As a result, the patient suffered a multifocal stroke at the age of 30, resulting in right-sided hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body) and severe emaciation, described as "like a skeleton" (BMI of 12.5, compared to a normal range of 18.5-22.9). She also experienced dehydration, increased blood osmolality, high blood sugar, elevated blood sodium, and a series of acute diabetes complications.
Doctors determined that the patient experienced severe complications after stopping her medication. She was at risk of refeeding syndrome, a dangerous metabolic disorder that occurs when a malnourished body is refed too quickly. This can lead to serious electrolyte imbalances, heart failure, and respiratory problems. The patient received emergency treatment to stabilize her condition.
According to Dr. Tuan, insulin is essential for patients with type 1 diabetes. No diet, not even a strict vegetarian one, can replace insulin. Completely cutting out carbohydrates does not cure the disease and increases the risk of ketoacidosis, malnutrition, reduced resistance to infection, and electrolyte imbalance. Stopping diabetes medication leads to high blood sugar, which narrows blood vessels and forms blood clots.
A balanced vegetarian diet with adequate calories and nutrients can provide significant health benefits, even for people with diabetes. However, extreme approaches like completely stopping medication or insulin without medical supervision can have serious consequences. Fortunately, this patient stabilized after treatment, regained her ability to eat, and was discharged.
Dr. Tuan cautions against discontinuing medication or insulin without a doctor's recommendation. He advises against relying solely on information from online groups or unqualified individuals. Diets, including vegetarian diets, must be tailored to the individual's condition, energy needs, and under medical supervision. Managing chronic illnesses is a long-term commitment. Feeling better after stopping medication doesn't equate to a cure, but rather a sign that complications may be developing silently.
Thuy Quynh
