Moldy toilet

I know this may seem weird but since being diagnosed I have noticed that my toilet has started to grow black mold. I clean and and within a few days more has formed. I will admit my sugars aren’t the lowest. Average is maybe 300. Is there a connection and anyone else have this problem?

I did have that problem back in the 90's, and that was before I got a handle on my blood sugars, but can't say for sure whether the two were connected, or something else.

Are you working on lowering your blood sugars?

huh... you know, thinking back to when i was first dx'd, we had same issue. I was hitting bg numbers in the 5-600's at the time, and have since got it all under control. We've also moved 4 times since dx so it's harder to say for sure if the high sugar was causing it, but there was mold issues with toilet up to and shortly after my dx. It seems fine now, at least i've not noticed anything in the new place. Also potentially related, we used to get a reddish tinted mildew like substance in bathtub/shower as well, which has also gone away and not re-appeared in our new place. I do recall reading something about fungal susceptibility and infections as being a possible cause of type 1 diabetes, so it's in theory possible that certain people are susceptible to specific fungal infections which can trigger all kinds of problems such as t1 diabetes. It's also certainly possible that urine could infect our immediate environment as well under such conditions. In other words, our infected bodies pass along the bad microbial elements to our environment via waste removal. That is the function of our bladder, liver and other organs after all! For whatever reason though, our bodies are not able to completely recover from the infection and the end result is permanent damage which seems to be the cause of diabetes in some people. Just hair ball theories of mine, I wish there was more research into this that I could find and learn more.

I am trying to lower my sugars, but I will admit I think I am what many call a “diabulimic” because when I start controlling my sugars I notice immediate weight gain, so I tend to skip insulin injections. I have a pump so I get a very small amount throughout the day. It’s hard and I know the issues and complications but I cannot seem to get the mindset to take my insulin regularly. :confused:

Kaycee, as a T2 I sometimes wish I had to take insulin so I could skip it and lose weight. (I know, that's foolish.) So I totally understand your thinking, but you CAN get healthier without gaining weight. It's not easy, but it's sure worth it (she says, looking at her left foot with toes and pieces of them missing). I would never have put mold and diabetes together in the same thought, but I think you might have something. Good thinking!

I probably spend more time focusing on the BG issues than the mold in your toilet. Good Luck.

This might be a stretch but it could be for the same reason PWD are more prone to yeast infections. Fungi love our elevated blood sugars. If your spilling sugar in your urine that might be the cause. It's a long shot and I'm not sure I believe it but that's the best I can do on short notice. Actually I believe it's just a coincidence.

Gary S

I've had problems with mold too, especially when I havent had better control. Makes sense it is kinda the perfect set up for a moldy invasion.

For starters, you will feel so much better with your blood sugars in control, and you won't be peeing and thirsty all the time. For another motivation, think how happy you'll be when you go to the endo and eye doctor and are told everything is fine, keep doing what you're doing, year after year. It's a really good feeling to know that you're doing everything in your power to stay healthy.

I had a problem with a reddish growth (bacteria?) before diagnosis. Presumably whatever it was was feeding on the sugar my body was dumping in response to high blood glucose. The problem disappearance instantly when I got my sugars under control.

After reading this post I'm not so hungry anymore. Kidding, but you have to get a good handle on your readings. 300 sugars will get you complications real fast. Kaycee have the doc get an A1C test soon. Toilets you can clean, but complications are real tough to get rid of.

hi Kaycee,

If you are pumping and your blood sugars are still over 300, my advice is to see an endo and a CDE right away to have your A1-c checked , ketones checked and have your basals adjusted on your pump so that you are getting the insulin you need for your needs. the other thing is to get your diet figured out with so that you are eating foods that don't make you gain weight.

It sounds to me that you are having several problems coping with the diabetes. With blood sugars that high, you are setting yourself up for damage to your eyes, feet, kidneys and other places where there are tiny vessels in the body. Please don't be afraid to see a therapist or other mental health professional to help you get your head around diabetes and weight. Skipping insulin because you are afraid of gaining weight is an indication to me that there are other things going on with you that need some attention as well. In the grand scheme of things, the moldy toilet seems rather insignificant. Push the button on that pump occasionally. It's fun!

Be well.

Brian Wittman

I had the same issue the summer I was diagnosed and at that time would have been running very high numbers. I have had farily good BG values after that and have never noticed the issue again. I remember telling my parents that I thought the problem must have been all of the sugar I was peeing out, it is interesting to finally get an answer to that issue.

I told my parents too and they told I wasn’t cleaning it enough but I was. I just wanted to know if there was a relationship between the two. And the high blood sugars I am trying to regulate. But I do thank you all for your responses.

I can sympathized with the fact that insulin is a make fat drug for some people.