If you have diabetes there are other conditions that may develop.
Some conditions can develop because you have diabetes, such as eye problems or heart disease, and we call these the complications of diabetes.
But there are other conditions you’re more at risk of if you have diabetes which are not caused by the condition. And there are also some conditions that can cause diabetes or increase your risk of it.
On this page:
- Type 1 diabetes and related conditions
- Type 2 diabetes and related conditions
- Any type of diabetes and related illnesses or conditions
- Diabetes and related infections
- Conditions that can cause diabetes
Type 1 diabetes and related conditions
If you have type 1 diabetes, you’re more at risk of developing other autoimmune conditions such as coeliac disease or thyroid disease.
Type 1 diabetes can also increase risk for some cancers, such as cancer of the liver, pancreas, kidney and stomach. But there is also some evidence to suggest that type 1 diabetes may reduce your risk for other cancers such as prostate or breast cancer.
It’s not common, but some younger-to-middle-aged women and some men who have had type 1 diabetes for a long time can develop diabetic mastopathy (tough breast tissue), which isn’t linked to cancer.
Type 2 diabetes and related conditions
If you have type 2 diabetes, other common conditions that can develop include thyroid disease. Type 2 diabetes can also increase your risk for certain cancers, including cancers of the bowel, liver, breast and pancreas.
If you are living with obesity or overweight you're also at higher risk of developing sleep apnoea. It may also be useful to know that two thirds of people with type 2 diabetes have fatty liver disease, a complication of diabetes that can often go undiagnosed.
Certain mental health conditions are also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes including:
- schizophrenia
- bipolar disorder
- depression.
If you are receiving treatment with antipsychotic medication this can also increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, but the risk is quite low. It is important that you continue to take any prescribed medication as it will help to manage your condition. Talk to your GP or a member of your health care team if you are concerned about potential side effects. You can also contact our helpline on 0345 123 2399.
Any type of diabetes and related illnesses or conditions
If you have any type of diabetes, you’re more likely to develop certain musculoskeletal conditions.
People with any type of diabetes have an increased risk of dementia, and a rare skin disorder called necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum. If you have any type of diabetes, you can also develop insulin resistance. This isn’t the same as diabetes. It’s when the body can’t use the insulin your body makes or the insulin that you inject very well.
There is another condition called diabetes insipidus. Because it has diabetes in the name it can sometimes cause confusion but it has nothing to do with diabetes (scientific name diabetes mellitus) and having diabetes doesn't increase your risk for diabetes insipidus.
Diabetes and related infections
People with any type of diabetes are more likely to get some common infections than people who don’t have diabetes. These include urinary tract infections (UTIs) and fungal infections (thrush), respiratory tract infections, skin infections including infected foot ulcers, and wound infections after surgery.
Some possible reasons for this are that having high blood sugar levels over time can cause inflammation which can affect the immune system, and high blood sugar levels can provide the right environment for bacteria to grow.
There are also some rare but severe infections that happen almost always only in people who have diabetes. These include rhinocerebal mucormycosis – which is a serious fungal infection that affects the nose, eyes, sinuses, and brain – and fournier’s gangrene – which is a life-threatening bacterial infection of the tissue under the skin around the genital area. For more information on either of these two infections, ask your GP or diabetes healthcare team.
If you’re unwell and think you might have an infection you should see your GP as soon as possible and follow any sick day rule advice you have been given.
You can help to prevent infections by eating a healthy diet, keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range, having any vaccinations you are offered and good hygiene, for example:
- washing hands regularly especially before eating and after using the toilet
- keeping nails trimmed
- brushing teeth regularly and keeping the mouth clean
- avoiding perfumed shower gels in the genital area.
Conditions that can cause diabetes
Conditions that can cause diabetes include:
- Haemochromatosis (too much iron in the blood)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome which affects women and can lead to type 2 diabetes
- Pancreatitis which can lead to type 3c diabetes
- Cystic fibrosis which can lead to a type of diabetes that can have features of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, called cystic fibrosis diabetes
- Insulin resistance and severe insulin resistance – if the body can’t produce enough insulin to overcome high blood sugar levels, diabetes can develop.
Thyroid disease
There are two types of thyroid disorder:
- hypothyroidism (where the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones)
- hyperthyroidism (where it produces too much).
Thyroid problems are more common in people with diabetes than those without diabetes, especially those with type 1 diabetes, because the body’s cells can attack the thyroid and destroy the cells as they do the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Adults and children can be affected, and hypothyroidism is more common in people with type 1 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop thyroid problems than people without diabetes too, but it’s not clear why this is. Neither hypothyroidism nor hyperthyroidism can be cured, but both can be treated successfully with tablets.
For more information about thyroid disease, go to the Thyroid UK website.
Diabetic mastopathy
Mastopathy is the name given to fibrous (tough) breast tissue, which can develop in people with diabetes.
Diabetic mastopathy is uncommon. It is usually seen in women who are pre-menopausal, and who have had type 1 diabetes for many years, but can also affect men. Often diabetic mastopathy is associated with other complications of diabetes.
It’s not clear what causes diabetic mastopathy, but persistent high blood glucose levels may play a part. If you notice any lumps or hardness in your breasts or chest you should visit your GP as soon as possible so that they find out the cause. Having diabetic mastopathy does not mean that you are at increased risk of breast cancer.
Dementia and diabetes
Although it is often linked with type 2 diabetes, people with type 1 diabetes , and other types of diabetes also have a higher risk of developing dementia, although we don’t yet know why this is. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk of dementia.
Some studies have shown that people who have had diabetes for longer, and people who struggle to keep their blood sugar levels within their target range are more at risk. More research is needed to understand how diabetes affects the risk of dementia.
Find out more about type 2 diabetes and dementia risk on the Alzheimer’s Research UK website.
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is completely unrelated to diabetes (scientific name diabetic mellitus), diabetes insipidus is caused when the pituitary gland has a problem producing the hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) or AVP no longer works efficiently in the kidneys.
This means the body produces increased amounts of urine because the kidneys are unable to retain water. Having diabetes doesn't increase your risk for diabetes insipidus but there is a rare condition called Wolfram syndrome, where people may live with both diabetes and diabetes insipidus.
Further information on diabetes insipidus can be found on the Pituitary Foundation website.
Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD)
Sometimes known as necrobiosis or NLD, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum is a rare skin disorder that affects around 1% of people with diabetes. It most commonly occurs in young adults or early middle age and is three times more common in women than men.
The cause of NLD is unknown. It can happen no matter how well your diabetes is managed. NLD usually appears as small, oval, dark red or brown and yellow patches with a thick shiny surface, which may be raised above the surrounding skin. They most commonly appear on the shins.
There is no cure, and while there are options for treatment, including steroids, effects can be disappointing. Camouflaging the condition with specialised make-up may be appropriate. See the Changing Faces website for more information.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Affecting more than 12% of women, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can increase of developing type 2 diabetes and may increase your risk of heart disease.
Around 10 to 20% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) will go on to develop type 2 diabetes at some time. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and high levels of insulin circulating in the blood. PCOS is treatable but cannot be cured.
Treatment options include maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active, and the drug metformin, which is often prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes.
The UK charity for women whose lives are affected by PCOS is Verity.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis occurs when your pancreas, the small organ located behind your stomach in your abdomen, becomes inflamed. This could lead to type 3c diabetes.
Your pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which regulates your body’s blood glucose (sugar) level. It also produces digestive enzymes, which help you to digest your food.
There are two types of pancreatitis: acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is where your pancreas suddenly becomes inflamed over a short period of time. Common signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
- severe pain in your tummy (abdomen)
- feeling or being sick
- difficulty digesting food
- diarrhoea.
You may need treatment in hospital, but you should be able to recover fully in a few days if your condition is not severe.
Chronic pancreatitis
If your pancreas stays inflamed over time, the cells may become permanently damaged and stop working properly. This is called chronic pancreatitis.
In addition to the symptoms of acute pancreatitis, the common signs and symptoms of chronic pancreatitis also include:
- oily or fatty stools
- losing weight without trying to
It’s important that you are aware of these symptoms so you can get the treatment you need as soon as possible.
Almost 1 in 3 people with chronic pancreatitis go on to develop type 3c diabetes. This is because the damaged cells prevent the pancreas from producing enough insulin.
If you have experienced acute pancreatitis more than once, or if you notice any of the symptoms of diabetes, talk to your doctor for more information and advice.
Find more information about acute and chronic pancreatitis on the Guts UK website.
