DR ELLIE CANNON: Did the Covid jab give my daughter type 1 diabetes?

My 12 year old daughter has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes weeks after her Covid vaccine. Her doctor says there has been a huge increase in cases of the condition in children since the pandemic. Could the vaccines be to blame?

Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood, but it is true that rates have risen sharply since the pandemic.

People with the condition can’t make enough of the hormone insulin to control their blood sugar levels. This is because their immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

If high blood sugar levels are not addressed, it can lead to serious problems such as blindness, heart disease, and loss of limbs.

Therefore, patients rely on regular insulin injections to keep their blood sugar levels at healthy levels.

About 450,000 people in the UK have type 1 diabetes and doctors still don’t know what causes it.

We now understand more about type 2 diabetes, which affects around five million people in the UK. The disease is caused by obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise.

Researchers began seeing a rise in type 1 diabetes in children early in the pandemic. Within a year, there was a 14 percent increase in diagnoses compared to pre-Covid. And two years later, the rate had increased by about a third compared to the pre-pandemic period.

While researchers have not yet concluded what is behind this increase, there are some compelling theories. It is possible that these children got Covid and their immune systems overreacted, destroying their insulin-producing pancreatic cells.

Another theory is that there are certain – unknown – germs that most children contract in their early years that protect them from conditions such as diabetes.

Some researchers claim that some people have been skipping these medications due to lockdowns and social distancing measures, increasing their risk of diabetes.

More research is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn, but it is highly unlikely that the Covid vaccines are the cause of the increase in type 1 diabetes.

This is because the rise in diagnoses began before most children received the vaccine. Children between the ages of 12 and 15 were not offered the shot until late 2021. Meanwhile, children between the ages of 5 and 11 were not offered it until mid-2022.

There is also no evidence that vaccinated adults are more likely to develop diabetes.

Whatever the cause, a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can be difficult. Charities such as Diabetes UK can offer support and advice.

I’m 64 and my hair is starting to thin at an alarming rate. According to my doctor, I am otherwise healthy and it is unlikely that this is due to the medication I am taking. Do you think HRT can help?

Hair loss is a nuisance, regardless of your age or gender. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help.

This is because hair loss is a common symptom of menopause and is linked to the drop in the female hormone oestrogen. HRT – which increases levels – helps to slow hair loss. Some women even report that their hair grows back, although patients should not expect this.

A GP may prescribe HRT after assessment to see if it is the best course of treatment. It would only be offered to you if you are in perimenopause or menopause.

Older women are sometimes advised not to take HRT because over the age of 60 the risks – including a small increased risk of cancer – may outweigh the benefits.

Menopause is not the only cause of hair loss in women.

Hair loss in women, where the hair becomes thinner over time, can also occur. It is usually genetic, but you can also have it if your parents did not have it.

Doctors can prescribe a lotion, minoxidil, to slow and even reverse hair loss.

I have been diagnosed with a genetic disease I have never heard of called AATD which can damage your lungs and liver and I am afraid my son is at risk too.

Do you have more information about the condition?

AATD, or alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, is a common genetic condition that affects around 22,000 people in the UK.

It causes lung and liver problems, which can range from mild to life-threatening.

Patients often first experience shortness of breath and wheezing as adults. This is usually caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), often associated with smoking or old age.

People can also develop cirrhosis of the liver – scarring – and even liver cancer. This means that patients are closely monitored.

People with AATD who smoke, drink or are obese are at a higher risk of being severely affected, so it is crucial to avoid these habits.

Screening family members for AATD is also important. This includes children and siblings. This can be done through a blood test performed by a family doctor.

Some people carry the defective gene associated with AATD but do not have the disease themselves. This means they can pass the disease on to their children without knowing it.

The charity Asthma and Lung UK and the British Liver Trust support people with AATD.

WHAT ‘WORKING TO ARRANGE’ WILL MEAN FOR THE GP FOR PATIENTS

You have no doubt read the headlines about GPs going on strike over a contract dispute, which is expected to continue for several months.

GPs will not strike, but they will have to choose from a number of protest measures, including limiting the number of appointments they make to 25 per day. This is also called ‘work to govern’.

However, patients who feel they need to see their GP should still request an appointment. Not all GPs are taking part in the protest, so your local practice may not be affected.

All practices are still open from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. GPs are assessing all requests and prioritising those who need help the most. Anyone with possible cancer symptoms will be seen urgently.

Asda helps detect mouth cancer

Normally, you wouldn’t expect people to point out the risk of mouth cancer in the supermarket. But that’s exactly what Asda has decided to do.

Starting this month, private label oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash will list the symptoms.

Examples include white or red patches in the mouth that do not heal within three weeks, a lump or swelling in the mouth, jaw, or neck that lasts more than three weeks, and difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving the jaw or tongue.

The campaign, in partnership with the NHS, comes at an important time.

Dental issues are often addressed too late due to the shortage of dentists, so I am pleased that Asda has decided to tackle this problem.

And if you have any of the symptoms mentioned, contact your GP as soon as possible.

Do you have a question for Dr Ellie Cannon? Please email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk. Dr Cannon cannot enter into personal correspondence and her answers should be understood in a general context.