Gad positive type 1

[nybrid]

Hi
Further to my earlier post I was tested GAD positive a few weeks ago. I've had a letter saying this means I am type 1.
I'm on 1 metformin tablet a day and had a average BG of 6 after food and about 5.5 two hours after food. I assume I'm type 1.5 and lada but haven't had this confirmed.
I've followed low carb and bg is good. However over the last 5 days my BG has lowered before food to early 4 and even a couple of 3.7 readings and I'm starting to feel a little bit tired.i was told my readings may go up but now they are going down I'm worried I'm full type 1 and the metformin should be dropped and I should phone the specialist particularly as I drive a lot.
Any advise most welcome thank you. Aged 51 no family history have lost 2 stone in 2 months and hbaic was only 7

 

[Ian DP]

Hi nybrid
You aren't on insulin, just metformin so I wouldn't worry about low 4s and 3s.
I often get low 4s, 3.2 a couple of days ago..... The more I get the better, but I am no longer on metformin. My consultant advised me to stop the metformin, he said it would do no harm, but no good either. With BG levels you have I would come off the metformin.
My hospital records have me as a T1 (high GAD), I understand the dr's only recognise two types, T1 and T2. But like you I am not on insulin, thus in the honeymoon period or T1.5 or LADA.
I contacted the DVLA over a year ago, I have a letter from them stating ok to drive and to contact them again when I am on insulin.
My advice; carry on with the low carbing, but be prepared to have to go on insulin some time in the future... The longer you can keep your BG low (below 5s fasting) the longer you (and I) will keep off insulin.

 

[nybrid]

Hi nybrid
You aren't on insulin, just metformin so I wouldn't worry about low 4s and 3s.
I often get low 4s, 3.2 a couple of days ago..... The more I get the better, but I am no longer on metformin. My consultant advised me to stop the metformin, he said it would do no harm, but no good either. With BG levels you have I would come off the metformin.
My hospital records have me as a T1 (high GAD), I understand the dr's only recognise two types, T1 and T2. But like you I am not on insulin, thus in the honeymoon period or T1.5 or LADA.
I contacted the DVLA over a year ago, I have a letter from them stating ok to drive and to contact them again when I am on insulin.
My advice; carry on with the low carbing, but be prepared to have to go on insulin some time in the future... The longer you can keep your BG low (below 5s fasting) the longer you (and I) will keep off insulin.

Hi Ian thanks for the reply again.
Once I have gone below 4 I have begun to feel a bit tired and had a very minimal shaky hand. As I am terrified about going too low as this is all new to me I immediately ate my dinner and had a piece of 70% cocoa chocolate to boost my level which has now risen to 6 two hours on. What do you do when your level goes very low? Do you leave it to go up naturally or eat straight away? I drive for a living as a rep so I've eaten straight away to boost my levels. I agree that dropping the metformin is an option as Internet states this drug is for type 2 diabetise from what I've read so far. Finally do you think it's worth having a cpeptise test to gauge how much insulin I have left?
Thanks again
Mike

 

[Ian DP]

Hi mike
My lows are prior to eating, I don't eat anything different after testing low, except I might add a little more food on my plate.
My testing strip prescription has been cut back and I am now told to test only once per day.... I did argue I should test more because of my lows but told not to worry as I can't hypo as not on insulin or meds. I still do test 2 or 3 times per day (eBay test strips). I asked my consultant about a cpeptise test, he said it wasn't worth doing as it wouldn't change anything. So I accepted that, but worth asking for one.
In my opinion, you don't need the metformin.... You might later if your BG rise, but as they are now I would be inclined to drop it.
Edited to add; the shaky feeling might well be due to a rapid fall in BG levels, say from 6 to 4..... If you can, keep the rise / fall to within 1.0

 

[nybrid]

Hi mike
My lows are prior to eating, I don't eat anything different after testing low, except I might add a little more food on my plate.
My testing strip prescription has been cut back and I am now told to test only once per day.... I did argue I should test more because of my lows but told not to worry as I can't hypo as not on insulin or meds. I still do test 2 or 3 times per day (eBay test strips). I asked my consultant about a cpeptise test, he said it wasn't worth doing as it wouldn't change anything. So I accepted that, but worth asking for one.
In my opinion, you don't need the metformin.... You might later if your BG rise, but as they are now I would be inclined to drop it.
Edited to add; the shaky feeling might well be due to a rapid fall in BG levels, say from 6 to 4..... If you can, keep the rise / fall to within 1.0

Thanks again for the advise Ian. All makes sense and very reassuring.