Friday, May 23, 2008

Levemir & Gluten

I subscribe to a message group, celiac@childrenwithdiabetes.com, and I'm so glad I do! I found out today that Levemir has gluten in it.

I had a discussion with out endo just last week about perhaps switching Daniel to Levemir from Lantus because of his high evening numbers. I don't even want to think about what a mess that would have been.

I'm surprised & concerned that there isn't a red flag on all diabetic celiac patient files that says NO LEVEMIR! GLUTEN!!

Why the hell do you need gluten in insulin, anyway?

6 comments:

Jillian said...

Crazy business! You would think that the obvious diabetes celiac connection would prevent something like this. I wonder why it's used...perhaps we should get Scott S. to investigate further. That really stinks though Levemir works wonders (in my opinion) and it has a pH level close to that of water so it doesn't sting.

Naomi said...

I don't know what the deal is. I was all over the levemir & novo nordisk sites and couldn't find anything out about gluten. But the person on the message group who found out the info called the company & found out.

I think that information should be posted on their web site.

Anonymous said...

Levemir doesn't have any gluten in it's formulation. All you have to do is look at the chemical structure to assess that. this is available on the Package insert and the COmpany website. If that person did truly call the company, I am sure they were mistaken on the information they were given. COnsider this - IF gluten were in any injectible formulation, that formulation would have to be ingested orally for it to affect individuals with Gluten Sensitivity.

Naomi said...

I guess there are people with different levels of gluten sensitivity. I understand that ingesting gluten causes the autoimmune response in people with celiac. But for one particular person on the children with diabetes message group, their child was experiencing difficulties from the levemir, contacted the company, and found out that the mannitol preservative contained gluten. A small amount, to be sure, and from what I've read, it should be distilled out to the point that it doesn't bother anyone. But who knows -- it could bother someone with extreme sensitivities. Perhaps even when injected, instead of ingested. I don't pretend to be a chemist or endocrinologist or gastroenterologist. But I'm interested in hearing from other parents about diabetic/celiac issues so that I can help & protect my child. If there was even a small chance that levemir could hurt my son, do you think I would use it?

Anonymous said...

I'm am in the middle of a "situation/crisis" with my 19 year old daughter with celiac. She just got a trial supply of Levemir (went out of town on a vacation) and has gotten a severe reaction-rash. I have no idea if it has gluten and it makes no sense whatever that it would cause any effects. BUT, on the side effects of the Levemir it lists her conditions as conditions of an allergic reaction, so gluten may have nothing to do with it. It may just be an allergic reaction. Will tell more later, as she is seeking medical treatment as I type.

Bob

Naomi said...

Bob, I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's reaction. I looked on some of the diabetes boards, and it seems that some people certainly have difficulties with levemir, and the problems may not related to gluten, but just an allergic reaction to the levemir. Lantus seems to work better for some people. I hope everything works out for your daughter. You are in my thoughts.