Sotomayor's Doctor Says Her Diabetes A Non-Issue

Judge Sonia Sotomayor's physician has penned a letter proclaiming Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee to be in "very good health" with few long-term concerns about her Type I diabetes.

In a letter obtained by the Huffington Post, Dr. Andrew Jay Drexler, a clinical professor of medicine at UCLA, said that during his twenty-plus years serving as Sotomayor's doctor, the court of appeals judge "always had excellent control of her diabetes."

"Her hemoglobin A1c levels, the best measure of diabetes control," he wrote, "have consistently been less than 6.5%, the optimal level as defined by all diabetes organizations."

In addition, the nominee for the Supreme Court is unlikely to develop any of the late-in-life complications, which may arise with Type I diabetics, Drexler said

"As of my last visit with Judge Sotomayor on March 20, 2009," Drexler wrote, "she had no evidence of any micro vascular complications of diabetes or even any early signs that they might develop. More sophisticated testing, which she has had done on a regular basis, confirms this opinion. Specifically, I would not expect Judge Sotomayor to develop any eye problems, kidney problems, or nerve problems. During her last cardiac stress test, she was able to exercise at the level of a much younger woman with a completely normal result. Given her blood pressure and cholesterol levels and excellent diabetes control she does not appear to be at risk for a heart attack or stroke."

The concerns over Sotomayor's diabetes have played a small part of the dialogue surrounding her nomination. While legal observers and political strategists have given the issue a bit more weight, the medical community has cautioned against over-emphasis and even prejudice. While Type I diabetics tend to live, on average, seven to ten years less than those without the disease, a slew of medical advancements have begun to close that gap. Stem cell research, moreover, could pave the way for even greater breakthroughs.

That said, senior officials in the Obama administration said they did look closely at Sotomayor's medical history and stressed that, after their review, they felt more than confident in her capacity to serve on the bench. The Drexler letter is, undoubtedly, the next step in putting the issue to rest.

Here is a copy of the letter:

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Comments

[SEQUOIABISON]

For the most part I am happy to see a fellow Bronxite get appointed to the Supreme Court, but I think there should be other considerations for a nominee besides academic achievements.

Sonia Sotomayor seems to have outstanding academic qualifications and this will be a great example for young people to emulate, but I also think how a person takes care of their health should also be an inspiration to our children.

From her appearance and her medical records Ms Sotomayor seems to be neglecting her health and ignoring the fact that diet and exercise play an important role in our lives.

If we want to teach our children how to be a well rounded individual we must emphasize not only academic achievements but also a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating and exercising properly to avoid degenerative diseases like Diabetes.

While this vegan salutes the choice of an Hispanic female, I think we need to give our children better examples of how to be successful in all phases of life, not only placing a strong emphasis on academic education but also educating ourselves with a similar devotion to our body’s requirements and showing some restraint when it comes to eating gluttonous unhealthy foods, the complete package of academic achievement and healthy lifestyle is more in line with what we should be teaching our children.

Growing up I learned a lot from Justice William O Douglas, he always looked very healthy and went hiking in our national parks every summer.

[liecatcher]

Even though she is allegedly a type 1 diabetic, her obesity is still not good for someone appointed to

a lifetime job. While the chronic diabetes is a long term problem , the hair in constant contact with her

left eye is not only annoying to look at and diminishes her appearance, but distracts her focus.

[ahoyhoy]

Smearing her with her diabetes? I guess we can add another demo that has just been alienated by the Republicans: Diabetics.

She has diabetes? That's the best you could come up with?

This level of control of her diabetes means that Sonia Sotomayor is probably very responsible and very disciplined. Sounds like qualities a Supreme Court justice should have to me.

[repugnicansfearme]

People, contact the FCC and your Congressman. Shell Oil is peddling crapola ads on TV which state they make a gasoline which CLEANS YOUR ENGINE. This is bogus, folks. Can't happen, nope, nada, no way. They are lying and got away with it under Bush, but it should not be happening now.

[mkie]

I hope that she will get the nomination and she will have long ten year in Supreme Cort.
On the side not:
I do not know about type 1 Diabetes, but for type 2 Diabetes (very common in US due to high level of high fructose corn syrup in food) there is a herbal remedy that probably every one have in there kitchen not ever realizing that.
It is Cinnamon, yes ordinary Cinnamon. One of the component act like insulin, and help to reduce natural insulin resistance. Even more, it might be helpful in fight the current outbreak of flue (even swine flue) by moving glucose more effectively in to the cells, giving them more energy to fight the infection.

[henrywolff]

Good for her. Sounds like she has worked hard to make the best of a bad hand.

[openup]

The life expectancy of someone with type 1 diabetes is shortened by 7-10 years on average, even less if they have it under control like Judge Sotomayor.

Being male shortens your life by nearly six years on average compared to being female in the US, but somehow that didn't ever come up in the 100+ confirmation hearings for all but two of our SCJs in history.

This is a complete non-issue!

[TxAggie]

She has great control of her diabetes, this is not an issue, period. She deserves a fair consideration, all the spin by the republicans is ridicuolus. It is the job of the Senate to confirm or deny the appointment, not the pundits, not the press. I am a Republican but I do not believe every damn justice should be a conservative white guy.. Let's give the woman a fair review.

[munki]

How did the letter made public?

Did Judge sign off? Privacy Act...

I am uphold how media disgracefully takes one's private information and expose it to public...

[ProudlyConservative42]

You obviously didn't read the letter. The first sentence says that the doctor is writing the letter at her request and with her written permission to do so.

[toocoldout]

I hope her health is good. She seems like such a nice person. Impressive she came as far as she did with a health problem. That should be a lesson to you liberals. Some people actually work hard & don't depend on the tax dollars of the rich to support them. Let that be a lesson to you lazy free loading liberals.

[ProudlyConservative42]

What's next, a letter from her OB GYN?

[Hnorc]

I heard she has gas from time to time.

[TheBaffler]

Her diabetes is a non-issue. Her conservatism and corporate toadyism aren't. This selection guarantees another generation of a far-right dominated court.

[Durango]

This actually worries me.

Because I hope she lives a long, long time.

At least as long as Roberts.

[Obama2008]

Can someone write a letter for her which will reassure us that she is pro-choice? That's what I want to know.

[Ivar]

Obama2008: Amen

[roshni]

I would like that too.