Not sure if anyone posted this already... very encouraging. http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health...ancy-improves-for-type-1-diabetics/48851072/1
Thank you for sharing! While we bemoan the lack of a cure it's good to remember how much improvement has been made (and is still being made) in medicine and technology for diabetes. :cwds:
Yes, we are very fortunate in this way. Not too many other "serious conditions" that affect children carry the possibility of a normal life expectancy, or a normal life at all for that matter.
Adult here, but thank you very much for posting Darryl as I fall in the "improved age" group. I love any reports of better long term results! Ali
"Life expectancy at birth for someone diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 1965 and 1980 was estimated to be 68.8 years compared to 72.4 years for the general population. But, for someone diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 1950 and 1964 the estimated life expectancy at birth was just 53.4 years." Look at the dates - guess when the first blood glucose meter was introduced for diabetics to use at home. 1973! Someone born in 1973 would only be 7 years old in 1980 (the end date of the study). There is a good chance that those diagnosed after 1980 would have a life expectancy even higher. How much of a difference that one piece of technology made in regulating blood sugars over the years of someone's life. It's amazing how well people did before that considering how little they had to work with.
As always, Darryl, your post was informative and upbeat. I haven't been on in a while, so I want to also mention how gorgeous Leah is! My goodness what a lovely young lady she is growing up to be. Good job!
I remember when my husband and I started dating seriously and I decided I needed to know more about t1d, he had me read a book called "The Diabetic Man" and it talked about a shortened life expectancy...that was a tough moment, didn't change my love, but it hit me hard. Thank you for sharing this report, I want nothing more than to live as many days of my life with my husband. I know it's a wonderful article for what it means for our children, too...I just can't help but think of my husband and how his treatment was so different when he was first diagnosed, I am thankful that treatment just keeps getting better.
Thanks, Joy... and that reminded me, she's 13 now so I just updated my signature! And thanks CAGrandma too, I hope you are right. 68 years life expectancy sounds OK when compared to an average of 72, but I am hoping for a lot longer than either of those numbers for everyone here.
If for the general population life expectency at birth is around 72, and with D at diagnosis date it is 1950-1964: 53.4 years 1965-1980: 68.8 years At this rate of improvement can we expect 1981- 1997: 84 years 1998-2013: 99 years ? Would be nice.
