What to do if you're observing Ramadan and have type 2 or type 1 diabetes

By Dr Sarah Jarvis

The holy month of Ramadan began at midnight last night (midnight 6 June). Muslims who are observe fasting during this month will go over 17 hours a day without eating during the long summer days. If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and observe fasting, are there any special precautions you can take to ensure you stay well?
If you have type 1 diabetes, you'll be using insulin - some patients with type 2 diabetes use this, too. Insulin lowers your blood sugar, and if you use your normal dose of insulin but are fasting, you're at much higher risk of a 'hypo' or episode of low blood sugar. This can cause a variety of symptoms including poor concentration, feeling very hungry, irritability, blurred vision and confusion. In severe cases it can lead to loss of consciousness and abnormal heart rhythms, and occasionally it can even be fatal. If you use insulin, always speak to your medical team before you fast. You may need to adjust your dose of insulin and you will certainly need to check your blood sugar levels more regularly.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be taking insulin, but most people with type 2 diabetes take tablets. Two kinds of tablets can also make you prone to hypos. The most common kind is a group of tablets called the sulfonylureas, or SUs (they all have names end in '-ide', and one of the most common is gliclazide. The other tablet linked with hypos is called repaglinide (brand name Prandin®). People with type 2 diabetes who take SUs are many times more likely than people taking other tablets for type 2 diabetes to get hypos, which can be very dangerous.
If you fast over Ramadan, speak to your GP about your tablets. They may advise you to change your tablets to a kind which does not carry the same risks. You should certainly watch out for signs of hypos and monitor your blood sugar. There is also a risk of overeating at Suhoor and Iftar, the meals before and after fasting, which can send blood glucose levels to dangerously high levels.
If your blood sugar drops below 4, it is dangerous to continue to fast. You need to take some fast-acting carbohydrate to prevent it dropping further. If your doctor feels it is not safe for you to continue to fast, your Imam can advise on other ways to complete your duties without putting your health at risk.
People who either have type 2 diabetes controlled with diet and exercise, or who take other tablets (metformin, 'gliptin' tablets), are unlikely to have any special problem over fasting at Ramadan. Those taking tablets called SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, empagliflozin) could be at risk if they become dehydrated. The SUs and repaglinide, along with insulin, carry the same risks as explained above.

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