Is it likely my Beta cells will start producing insulin again ?

[Danbeck]

I had a C-Peptide test 3 years ago for medicare to cover supplies. It showed I produced little to no insulin ! I need to replace my pump, so next week will take a fasting C-Peptide ! (The original test was not fasting !) Is it likely my results will be the same, or is there any chance I have began producing insulin again ???? Thanks,,,,Dan

[xMenace]

I had a C-Peptide test 3 years ago for medicare to cover supplies. It showed I produced little to no insulin ! I need to replace my pump, so next week will take a fasting C-Peptide ! (The original test was not fasting !) Is it likely my results will be the same, or is there any chance I have began producing insulin again ???? Thanks,,,,Dan


Yes there's a chance. I read somewhere that the regeneration cycles can last 20years: regenerate, die, regenerate, die, ...

[Mich]

According to several studies, I'm mostly familiar with the Faustman one, our bodies are producing beta cells daily. They are also killed off daily by our "Killer T" cells. Supressing the killer T cells in NOD mice has allowed regeneration of the beta cells in some cases. These were end-stage NOD mice, which is comparable with long-time diabetics.

That is the part that was doubted by other researchers, but in fact the JDRF funded research to disprove this found out that it was indeed true. The better the blood sugar control during the suppression treatment, the better the results (more beta cells regenerated), which is why some of the results vary.

It's also one of the reasons people with pancreatic transplants must continue with immunosuppression afterward. If not kept in their place, the same killer T cells that "ate" the original beta cells will do it again to the new ones.

This is one of the things being tested in Faustman's study. How much suppressing treatment to use and for how long.

All of this info is available on google.

Mich

[Danbeck]

Thanks for wonderful, informative replies ! But, I'm somewhat human, not mice and am wondering if some have had multiple C Peptide tests and what their experience has been regarding the real world results ! Dan