Common Myths
Answers to common questions about common myths.
Questions on this page
- “DKA only happens when sugar is extremely high.”
- “If I am not eating, I should stop insulin.”
- “Low sugar is harmless if I can tolerate it.”
- “Adrenal crisis can wait until the blood test comes.”
- “A very high thyroid level automatically means thyroid storm.”
- “Once I feel better, I can stop my steroid tablets.”
- 🚨 WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE?
“DKA only happens when sugar is extremely high.”
Not always. Euglycaemic DKA can occur, including in some people taking SGLT2 inhibitors.
“If I am not eating, I should stop insulin.”
Not automatically. Stopping basal insulin in type 1 diabetes can increase the risk of DKA.
“Low sugar is harmless if I can tolerate it.”
Repeated or severe hypoglycaemia can be dangerous and requires review of the diabetes treatment plan.
“Adrenal crisis can wait until the blood test comes.”
Suspected adrenal crisis requires immediate treatment; treatment should not be delayed while waiting for diagnostic confirmation in a severely ill patient.
“A very high thyroid level automatically means thyroid storm.”
No. Thyroid storm is a clinical emergency diagnosed from the overall clinical picture, not simply from the thyroid hormone number.
“Once I feel better, I can stop my steroid tablets.”
No. People dependent on glucocorticoid replacement should not stop treatment without medical guidance.
🚨 WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE?
Go to an emergency department immediately if you or someone with an endocrine disorder develops:
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizure
- Severe confusion
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe dehydration
- Fainting or very low blood pressure
- Very low blood glucose that does not respond to treatment
- High glucose with significant ketones
- Severe abdominal pain with diabetes and vomiting
- High fever with severe hyperthyroidism
- Rapid heartbeat with confusion or severe weakness
- Suspected adrenal crisis
Do not wait for an endocrinology appointment when an endocrine emergency is suspected. Emergency medical care comes first.