Type 4 Diabetes

Who Am I?

I am not a doctor. I am a patient. And this is my journey from a complete cardiac arrest in 1999 to a life of neuropathic pain and complications, a pacemaker and dozens of medications. I am now pain-free, medication-free and living well with a naturally-occurring heart beat. All because I discovered the link of Type 4 Diabetes and how to treat myself by raising blood sugar levels at key times.

I live in Northern Virginia, just west of Washington, DC. In addition to the passion involved with Type 4 Diabetes, I work as an Internet consultant for non-technology companies and organizations helping them get the most out of Web 2.0 innovations. My other interests include yoga and being in and on the water as much as possible.

I welcome your comments, questions and shared experiences. Please contact me via email: bob@type4diabetes.org (email goes to .org not .com).

Thanks!

To read my resume, please  Download ransonresume2007p.pdf

Four Types of Diabetes

• Type 1    autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells leading to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose)   

• Type 2    insulin resistance leading to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose)

• Type 3    depletion of insulin in the brain leading to Alzheimer’s Disease

• Type 4    elevated insulin levels leading to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), chronic pain and related complications

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are recognized medical terms. Type 3 Diabetes is a new term proposed by a  research team at Brown Medical School. Type 4 Diabetes is my term for malfunctioning blood glucose control leading to low blood sugar and neuropathic complications.

I explore all four types in my upcoming book, Type 4 Diabetes: Elevated Insulin. Lower Blood Sugar. 24/7 Pain.

Welcome and Introduction

More than 21 million Americans have diabetes. As many as 70% of people with diabetes have or will develop neuropathy: a serious complication of the central nervous system. Patients with neuropathy lose sensation and suffer from persistent pain. As the symptoms worsen, patients develop digestive, cardiac, sexual and other severe complications. It can be and often is progressive. Many patients require pacemakers to keep their hearts beating. Johnny Cash died from autonomic neuropathy.

At best, the medications used to treat neuropathy are only somewhat effective in managing the level of pain. That's understandable since doctors don't know what causes neuropathy.

In late 2005, a patient suffering from autonomic neuropathy and diabetes discovered a surprising link between neuropathy, diabetes and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The discovery of this link led to a simple yet incredibly effective method for treating the neuropathy without any expensive medications. No more pain, no more digestive, sexual or sensory problems. No more lightheadedness and fainting. No more irregular heart beats.

I am that patient. And this blog/website is an important part of my journey and mission. The treatment? Raise blood glucose (sugar) levels to a level no lower than 100 mg/dl. That is the level defined as being prediabetes if measured before breakfast (fasting glucose).

After months of raging skepticism on the part of my medical team, one doctor approached the National Institutes of Health with my findings. Surprise. At least one researcher at the NIH admitted that the government research agency knew of the link between neuropathic symptoms and low glucose readings. But, with budget cutbacks the NIH cannot investigate the link further.

But, I can tell the world and encourage others to ask, to plead, to demand further research.

In December, I will be publishing a book: Type 4 Diabetes. Elevated Insulin. Lower Blood Sugar. 24/7 Pain.

In the weeks leading up to publication, and in the months to follow, I will be discussing key elements of my journey and the book in this blog.

I invite you to join with me on this journey. Keep coming back and reading my daily updates. Let me hear from you. Share your thoughts with the millions of people who suffer from diabetes, neuropathy, and hypoglycemia.

Thank you.

Bob Ranson
bob@type4diabetes.org