Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 19, 2025 2 weeks, 5 days, 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
Thailand Medical News: A new study has uncovered a deeply concerning trend—COVID-19 is not just a respiratory virus, but one that causes serious and lasting metabolic complications, including a dramatic spike in new cases of diabetes and worsening of existing ones.
Researchers have sounded the alarm after reviewing dozens of clinical studies and real-world data. Their findings reveal that SARS-CoV-2 may disrupt the body’s glucose regulation systems long after the virus has been cleared. This
Thailand Medical News report explores a new study’s revelations and their implications for long-term public health.
Post COVID Metabolic Chaos Unleashes a New Health Crisis
COVID-19 survivors—especially those who were hospitalized—are now being diagnosed with diabetes at significantly higher rates than the general population. The research highlights that even individuals with no prior history of diabetes are showing signs of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and impaired pancreatic function months after recovering from the infection.
In one study from China, people who had mild or moderate COVID-19 but no prior diabetes showed increasing insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels for up to six months after infection. Their bloodwork also revealed signs of chronic inflammation and abnormal lipid profiles—classic hallmarks of metabolic dysfunction.
Similarly, a UK-based study of nearly 48,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients found a sharp rise in new diabetes diagnoses compared to matched control groups. Additional data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs revealed that COVID-19 survivors had a 40% higher risk of developing diabetes, with the highest risks observed in those who had severe disease.
Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes on the Rise
Alarmingly, the risk is not limited to type 2 diabetes. A growing number of children and young adults are being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after COVID-19 infection. Some studies found a 20% increase in pediatric type 1 diabetes diagnoses compared to pre-pandemic years.
The virus appears to directly damage the pancreas by infecting its insulin-producing beta cells. Researchers found evidence of SARS-CoV-2 inside pancreatic tissue in both human and animal studies. Once inside, the virus reduces insulin production, alters glucose metabolism, and triggers inflammation, all of which can lead to diabetes.
The study also noted that COVID-19 could speed up or unmask pre-existing autoimmune processes in genetically vulnerable individuals, accelerating the onset of type 1 diabetes. This includes the generation of islet autoantibodies, infiltration of immune cells into pancreatic tissue, and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines.
Medications and Lifestyle Amplify the Risk
The widespread use of corticosteroids like dexamethasone during COVID-19 treatment may further contribute to elevated blood sugar levels. While these drugs can save lives, they are known to cause insulin resistance, particularly in those with pre-existing metabolic issues.
Additionally, the pandemic’s toll on mental health, disrupted sleep, reduced physical activity, and unhealthy dietary patterns have all combined to worsen post-COVID metabolic outcomes. Peopl
e gained weight, exercised less, and consumed more ultra-processed foods—factors that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
A Public Health Warning
This review makes it clear that COVID-19 should be viewed not only as a respiratory infection but as a systemic disease capable of long-term metabolic disruption. Healthcare systems worldwide must begin screening COVID-19 survivors for diabetes—especially those who had moderate to severe symptoms, are over 40, or have other risk factors like obesity, hypertension, or prediabetes.
Conclusion
The findings from this review reveal that SARS-CoV-2 can induce serious and potentially permanent metabolic damage, leading to an increase in both new-onset and worsened diabetes. Mechanisms include direct infection of pancreatic beta cells, immune-mediated injury, inflammatory cascades, and complications arising from steroid therapies. The evidence suggests a looming public health crisis where millions of COVID-19 survivors could be facing long-term metabolic diseases. Early intervention, regular monitoring, and widespread education are vital to mitigate this growing threat.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Biomedicines.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1482
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/u-s-nih-study-warns-of-lingering-damage-to-immune-and-metabolic-systems-and-increased-cancer-risk-after-covid-19-infection
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/mitochondrial-dysfunction-and-metabolic-chaos-in-viral-infections
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/philadelphia-study-validates-that-sars-cov-2-causes-mitochondrial-metabolic-and-epigenomic-reprogramming
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