Big Head DC has learned that a diabetes diagnosis for Chris Matthews, the loud-mouthed host of MSNBC’s Hardball, is much more life-threatening than his camp has let on.

“He was literally this close to death,” says a BHDC tipster who is closely familiar with a Matthews’ hospital stay that saw him absent from his popular program for two weeks in December. The scare not only forced him to cancel an Iraq USO tour with Al Franken, he also missed a lavish retirement party thrown for his newscaster wife Kathleen Mathews.

Publicists have insisted that Matthews is doing “just fine,” but a family friend who’s close with Kathleen say she’s been besides herself because her hubby, well-known for his boozin’ and schmoozin’, has had a quite difficult time toning it down. “Kathleen is so afraid she’s going to lose him,” the friend told BHDC.

Matthews is expected to attend an awards dinner this evening; benefits will go to the American Diabetes Association.

Earlier: Chris Matthews: Drunk As a Skunk?