Type 1 diabetic for 35 years, a bit confused

[smc4761]

Hi folks,

I am a male aged 54 and have been type 1 for about 35 years.

Saw my diabetic clinic doctor today who actually spent some time with me going through various things and was pretty helpful compared to the other docs I have seen. He did say something however that threw me completley and the more I think about it now I am convinced I picked him up wrong.

He asked if I had ever been tested for type 2 diabetes and when I said no he arranged for a blood test to be taken there and then and sent off for testing. I think the idea behind this is to see if I am actually a type 1 or type 2 diabetic. I seem to recall him saying that there were newer tablets in the market now that could virtually replace my insulin if the blood test came back me being type 2

Surely I have picked him up wrong, or did I even dream this????????

 

[Gaz-M]

Funny that, I was at the hospital on Monday morning to arrange to getting an insulin pump, and told the consultant I had been type1 since I was 2 so type1 for 43 years, he is testing me to make "sure" I'm type1 which I found suprising in all fairness, maybe because in the early 70,s things were way behind what they are these days. He believes I,m type1 as I have graves desease which goes hand in hand with it (his words not mine)

 

[noblehead]

Surely I have picked him up wrong, or did I even dream this????????

Did he mention Double Diabetes? Sometimes people with type 1 can go on to develop insulin resistance (much like type 2's) which can be helped by taking tablets like Metformin.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I don't understand your GP on this? I'm not aware of any test for T2 other than the usual HBa1C and the test for T1 to show up antibodies. There is the c-peptide test for the boody's insulin level. If it's high then T2 is implicated and if low then T1 is implied. There are various tablets that can be used to assist T2 but no miracle drug. Diet as always is key for T2 and helps a lot with T1. I wonder what blood test he is doing?

 

[smc4761]

Thanks for the replies folks. I have no idea what he is testing for, it was the doctor at the diabetic clinic as opposed to a GP, so I would think he is more of a diabetic specialist. he has asked me to increase my Metformin dose from 1 tablet to 2 tablets twice a day. I have been taking Metformin for years as well as insulin

 

[noblehead]

@smc4761, Google Double Diabetes for a full explanation, but if they are asking you to increase your Metformin then it does appear that you have some insulin resistance going on, are you on quite high insulin doses?

 

[smc4761]

Not sure if my insulin doses are high or not, Humalog 3 times a day, 16 10 and 16 units then 38 units of Lantus at night

 

[noblehead]

Not sure if my insulin doses are high or not, Humalog 3 times a day, 16 10 and 16 units then 38 units of Lantus at night

A TDD of 80 units is probably higher than some but we all have different insulin requirements, hopefully by increasing the Metformin dose you will see a reduction in your insulin usage, there's been a few type 1's on the forum this year who have started on Met and reported good results.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. You don't appear to be carb counting your Humalog? This has nothing to with your current tests but if you stay on insulin you may want to discuss carb counting with the clinic. This is where you vary the amount of meal-time insulin to match the carbs you are eating. It gives you better control as you can eat more freely (bot not more overall) and adjust the insulin to match. BTW those insulin levels are quite high which means you may have insulin resistance (T2'ish) plus a failing pancreas (T1). What sort of diet do you have? I think you may be having too many carbs in your diet?

 

[smc4761]

Hi. You don't appear to be carb counting your Humalog? This has nothing to with your current tests but if you stay on insulin you may want to discuss carb counting with the clinic. This is where you vary the amount of meal-time insulin to match the carbs you are eating. It gives you better control as you can eat more freely (bot not more overall) and adjust the insulin to match. BTW those insulin levels are quite high which means you may have insulin resistance (T2'ish) plus a failing pancreas (T1). What sort of diet do you have? I think you may be having too many carbs in your diet?

The insulin units for Humalog are typical and I do vary them as i am carb counting. Typically 50g for breakfast, with perhaps 10g around mid morning, 50g at lunch and around 60/70g for evening meal/supper.

I am 5'10 male and around 96kg, which I have been for about 5 years, so yes slightly overweight

 

[Anaelena]

Hi folks,

I am a male aged 54 and have been type 1 for about 35 years.

Saw my diabetic clinic doctor today who actually spent some time with me going through various things and was pretty helpful compared to the other docs I have seen. He did say something however that threw me completley and the more I think about it now I am convinced I picked him up wrong.

He asked if I had ever been tested for type 2 diabetes and when I said no he arranged for a blood test to be taken there and then and sent off for testing. I think the idea behind this is to see if I am actually a type 1 or type 2 diabetic. I seem to recall him saying that there were newer tablets in the market now that could virtually replace my insulin if the blood test came back me being type 2

Surely I have picked him up wrong, or did I even dream this????????

I know the American association of endocrinologists here in the states recommend this test ( I assume it is the c-peptide) for a few different reasons .

One is to check if you might be insulin resistant .

The other might be to differentiate between type 2 diabetes mellitus and latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) .

I also had this test done before getting my pump but I was told it was necessary here ( the U.S. ) because the insurance company at the time would only cover a pump for type 1 diabetics ( this was 18 years ago).

I hope that dream will come true for you

 

[smc4761]

I know the American association of endocrinologists here in the states recommend this test ( I assume it is the c-peptide) for a few different reasons .

One is to check if you might be insulin resistant .

The other might be to differentiate between type 2 diabetes mellitus and latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) .

I also had this test done before getting my pump but I was told it was necessary here ( the U.S. ) because the insurance company at the time would only cover a pump for type 1 diabetics ( this was 18 years ago).

I hope that dream will come true for you

Just a quick update on my situation. I have now been taking double the Metformin for about 2 weeks mow and have already noticed a difference. Previously I was taking 38 units of Lantus once a day, this is now down to 30 units with no increase in my bood sugars so well impressed so far. I have also started to reduce my Humalog by a couple of units as well