Confusion over diagnosis - Type 1,1.5 or 2?

[SB.25]

Hi all,

Some background info - I am 26 year old female, healthy BMI and slim, mother has type 2 diabetes and treats with mix of long and slow insulin and tablets.

I was diagnosed with diabetes on 1st November 2018. I had been feeling very dizzy and my HBA1C came back at 103. I was put on 2 500mg metformin a day and was self testing. I also changed my diet to reduce the carbs. My readings began to come down but still high in the morning (10-14) - but would always come down over the course of the day (between 6-8).

I was put in contact with the specialist diabetes team and they doubled my metformin to 4 500mg a day. Which has not made much difference to my levels.

A week ago the diabetes team suggested I am type 1 and currently in the 'honeymoon period'. They wanted me to go on Novorapid insulin immediately - which I declined as I felt it was all very fast when my readings were not significantly high.

It turns out that was a confused message and instead I was meant to have been given one dose of long lasting insulin in the evening and come off all tablets. I was meant to be given the Novorapid over time as my pancreas gets worse. I am speaking to a consultant about all of this on 2nd January. ​

I also asked the diabetic team if they thought I could be type 1.5 and they said this wasn't possible due to my high hba1c reading and my age. My usual GP thought I may be this type.

In the meantime, I had to have another HBA1C test carried out for my doctors files to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes. The test was on 20th December (a month and half after diagnosis) and came back ay 68 - which my GP was very impressed with.

I'm awaiting the results of my Islet and Peptide test to come back - they got to the lab too late so I have to do another sample.....

I just feel very confused at what type of diabetes I am and the professionals do not seem to be able to get to the bottom of it! I wondered if anyone else had a similar experience at all. I think I would feel much better when I have the correct diagnosis and receive the correct treatment!

Sorry for the long post and thank you for reading!

 

[librarising]

I'm awaiting the results of my Islet and Peptide test to come back - they got to the lab too late so I have to do another sample.....

I just feel very confused at what type of diabetes I am and the professionals do not seem to be able to get to the bottom of it!

From the read of your post, the professionals may well be getting to the bottom of it - they've ordered tests that will help them. It doesn't help you that you're waiting to re-submit these, but patience seems to be the order of the day. If there's one thing diabetics tend to agree on, it is that diabetes is a marathon and not a sprint.
You'll get there
Geoff

 

[Resurgam]

Although you have not been slotted into a category you seem to be doing well in controlling the two problems a diabetic person faces - their blood glucose and their HCPs.
Although I was not diagnosed until two years ago, for decades I had problems with carbs, and doctors, starting in my early 20s. Eating low carb, when I could get away with it seemed to resolve all my physical, and some mental problems - which is probably why I have recommended it so much and so often.
The fasting levels seems to be the one which takes longest to reduce, so I don't think you need to be concerned, just concentrate on avoiding high carb foods and - hopefully you will see your Hba1c number continue to reduce and feel your metabolism recover. For me that was the difference between 'well I feel OK, really' to 'yes, I am going out again - want to come?' levels of energy.

 

[SB.25]

Although you have not been slotted into a category you seem to be doing well in controlling the two problems a diabetic person faces - their blood glucose and their HCPs.
Although I was not diagnosed until two years ago, for decades I had problems with carbs, and doctors, starting in my early 20s. Eating low carb, when I could get away with it seemed to resolve all my physical, and some mental problems - which is probably why I have recommended it so much and so often.
The fasting levels seems to be the one which takes longest to reduce, so I don't think you need to be concerned, just concentrate on avoiding high carb foods and - hopefully you will see your Hba1c number continue to reduce and feel your metabolism recover. For me that was the difference between 'well I feel OK, really' to 'yes, I am going out again - want to come?' levels of energy.

Had another appointment today with the consultant. They are still not sure whether I am type 1 or 2 and will not know until the peptide and islet tests come back in February.

In the meantime, they have put me on one lot of slow release insulin for the evenings - all seems a bit scary but will see how I get on!!