Secondary Diabetes (B)

Question 1

What are some health conditions that result in secondary diabetes?

Answer 1

Cystic fibrosis
Hemochromatosis
Chronic pancreatitis
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Cushing’s syndrome
Pancreatic cancer
Glucagonoma
Pancreatectomy

Question 2

What are some medications that can cause secondary diabetes?

Answer 2

Medications which may bring on diabetes include corticosteroids, beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics.

Question 3

What conditions can result in insulin resistance and how are these managed?

Answer 3

Insulin resistance is a feature of diabetes caused by Cushing’s syndrome and PCOS. Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment.
Medications to help treat include metformin and insulin.

Question 4

What conditions can result in a loss of pancreatic function?

Answer 4

pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis, may result in a loss of pancreatic function

Question 5

What can cause excess glucagon production?

Answer 5

A glucagonoma can cause excessive glucagon production
Treatment for glucagonoma is to directly target the tumour with anti-tumour therapy such as chemotherapy or through surgery to remove the tumour.