Blood sugars high and we still don’t know if it’s type 2 or 1

[Lily4798]

Hi everyone. My father has been diagnosed about a month ago now. He was sent to hospital with a severe eye condition and a blood sugar level of 30. He’s on metaformin I think with 3 tablets a day. I’m worried because his blood sugar is still at 18 and they don’t know if he’s type 1 or 2. What’s the difference between the two? He’s also started complaining of bad headaches and pain (and pains and needles) in his legs and feet . He seems really spaced out and not right. Any help. Our GP says it’s nothing to worry about but the doctors near us have been know for giving wrong information. Any advice I’m super worried

 

[xfieldok]

Tagging @daisy1 for the welcome pack.

Welcome to the forum. You will get lots of info here.

How old is your Dad?

Most of us control our diabetes through diet. Severely restricting our carbohydrates.

Does your dad have a glucose meter to test at home?

 

[Lily4798]

Yes he has a glucose monitor at home the blood sugars seem to fluctuate massively yesterday he took it at midway and was 16.5 and then 20 then 17 and the last reading 18
He’s turned 50 recently he’s on quite a good diet as I have coeliacs disease so we don’t have processed foods and he doesn’t realy like alchohol

 

[xfieldok]

Ok. Firstly the carbohydrates have a direct effect on our blood sugar.

Keep a food diary and record anything that goes into dad's mouth. Test immediately before eating and two hours after the first bite. You are looking for a rise of no more than 2.

Download the mySugr app and record food and readings.

T1 diabetics are unable to make their own insulin. T2 on the other hand can't process the insulin the body produces.

It will wake time for dads numbers to come down, don't panic, take a breath and read through the forum and ask questions.

Has your dad had an HbA1c test yet and if so what was the number.

 

[xfieldok]

It might help us if you could tell us everything your dad ate yesterday.

 

[Juicyj]

Hello and welcome @Lily4798

The difference between 1 and 2 is that type 1 is autoimmune affecting the pancreas's ability to produce insulin and requires insulin therapy for life it's generally referred to as juvenile diabetes but many of us are diagnosed as adults, and type 2 is the body's inability to produce enough insulin to manage blood glucose levels or cells can become insulin resistant, this can be treated through medication and diet and in some cases insulin.

Unfortunately no one here can offer any diagnosis, however your GP can do a C peptide blood test to measure how much insulin is being produced which would help with a diagnosis. How he's currently feeling may be related to his blood glucose levels or there may be another non diabetes related reason, regardless be firm and don't get fobbed off, your doctors can do more tests.

 

[xfieldok]

I can only speak as a T2. There is nothing diabetes loves more than stress and infection. Both will raise blood sugar. Your dad's eye problem will definitely not be helping.

Diagnosis is key to sorting him out.

 

[Lily4798]

He’s yet to have the HbA1c test. He’s being very stubborn and not wanting to write down his food intake there I so let so much we can write down. I don’t get how the GP and doctors don’t know what type he is by now it’s been a month and the medication is obviously not enough

From what I know yesterday he had

Breakfast - olives and hummus

Snack - banana

Lunch - fish with veg melody

Snack - apple and some olives

Dinner - chicken with a small amount of homemade peanut sauce and brown rice.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi everyone. My father has been diagnosed about a month ago now. He was sent to hospital with a severe eye condition and a blood sugar level of 30. He’s on metaformin I think with 3 tablets a day. I’m worried because his blood sugar is still at 18 and they don’t know if he’s type 1 or 2. What’s the difference between the two? He’s also started complaining of bad headaches and pain (and pains and needles) in his legs and feet . He seems really spaced out and not right. Any help. Our GP says it’s nothing to worry about but the doctors near us have been know for giving wrong information. Any advice I’m super worried

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease whereby the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. It is treated by injecting insulin.

Type 2 is a metabolic disease whereby (in most but not all cases) the pancreas produces too much insulin but this doesn't work properly because the cells have become insulin resistant due to there being an over supply of insulin in the blood stream.

 

[Lily4798]

He’s reduced his salt take significantly to lower his blood pressure and is quite a healthy person aside from being slightly overweight. He walks 5 miles to work and back and is always on his feet

 

[xfieldok]

He’s yet to have the HbA1c test. He’s being very stubborn and not wanting to write down his food intake there I so let so much we can write down. I don’t get how the GP and doctors don’t know what type he is by now it’s been a month and the medication is obviously not enough

From what I know yesterday he had

Breakfast - olives and hummus

Snack - banana

Lunch - fish with veg melody

Snack - apple and some olives

Dinner - chicken with a small amount of homemade peanut sauce and brown rice.

As a T2 I have given up hummus. A banana will cause a spike as will an apple. Rice and pasta of any colour is a no no for me.

Everyone with T2 is different and there is no one diet that will suit everyone.

This is why testing before and after eating is so important. We find out what foods we can tolerate.

 

[Bluetit1802]

He may be Type 1, but there again, you cannot assume this because his medication (Metformin) isn't working.
Metformin is a mild drug that does very little to reduce blood sugar levels and is intended to be used alongside a suitable diet.. Diet is the key, and by diet I mean severely restricted carbohydrate and fruit. This applies to all carbs, whether brown or white. The more carbs we eat, the higher our blood sugars will be. It is as simple as that.

Have a look at the dietdoctor website, which is popular on this forum. The whole website is very informative, but for starters there is a list of foods to enjoy, and a list to avoid or seriously reduce.

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/foods#foodlist
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/foods#foodtoavoid

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Lily4708, From my reading and diabetes education, not as professional advice or opinion:
one very important measure, of potentially like-threatening concern is whether your father
has high ketones in his blood.

If he is very low in insulin in his body he will start to break down fat and that can lead to a dangerous situation called diabetic keto-acidosis. Theses ketones can be measured by a meter simikar to the one' that are used to measure blood sugars with a finger prick of blood. This is different to when people fast and burn off fat - they have a much smaller, lower
Ketone level.

Because of your father's uncertain status regarding his type of diabetes and his very high BSLS and his unwellnes and possibly a dodgy doctor, please seriously consider taking him to hospital, asking for ketone and BSLtests and help. NOW !!!

There are blood tests that can be done to help ascertain if your father is Type 1 or 2, but doctors sometimes delay these as they can be less accurate early on.

But ... your father deserves the best care in the meantime, not these high BSLs and most doctors will not have a clue how uncomfortable high bsls are and seem blase about how dangerous they are for an individual like your father.

In the interests of patient-centred care , and do not be afraid to use that word, you are asking the hospital doctors and hopefully a specialist along the way to look after yiur father's health, before things gey worse.
Metformin can take some weeks to work, if in fact it is the correst treatment and high bsls are not good for health.

That is your first priority, his health, blood sugars, any ketones. Everything else can join the queue afterwards.
Best Wishes and please act now !!

 

[Resurgam]

Perhaps if you wish to alter your dad's diet you could present a low carb menu as being for its healing properties - it certainly seems to accelerate recovery and the mending of cuts and small wounds.

Swapping cauliflower for starchy veges, an extra serving of salad at mealtimes rather than sugary snacks in between could all help keep blood glucose levels from spiking.

 

[bulkbiker]

Hi everyone. My father has been diagnosed about a month ago now. He was sent to hospital with a severe eye condition and a blood sugar level of 30. He’s on metaformin I think with 3 tablets a day. I’m worried because his blood sugar is still at 18 and they don’t know if he’s type 1 or 2. What’s the difference between the two? He’s also started complaining of bad headaches and pain (and pains and needles) in his legs and feet . He seems really spaced out and not right. Any help. Our GP says it’s nothing to worry about but the doctors near us have been know for giving wrong information. Any advice I’m super worried

I would suggest that you get him to join the forum here.. we can then advise him directly rather than 3rd party?

 

[Lily4798]

On his last test he had quite a high amount of ketones in his blood level, the go said it was a good thing as it meant he would loose weight quicker but I guess that’s incorrect ?
They keep thinking he’s type 2 because he’s slightly overweight and blaming him for being fat and that’s what’s caused all of this but I have a strong feeling it’s type 1. He was sent to hospital the other day for high blood sugar but was released later that day having had no medication or blood test. I feel at a loss no GP or doctor will help, I hate how they blame it all down to his weight he’s lost a tonne of weight with explanation before diagnosis and it’s making him hate going for check ups

 

[Robinredbreast]

Hi everyone. My father has been diagnosed about a month ago now. He was sent to hospital with a severe eye condition and a blood sugar level of 30. He’s on metaformin I think with 3 tablets a day. I’m worried because his blood sugar is still at 18 and they don’t know if he’s type 1 or 2. What’s the difference between the two? He’s also started complaining of bad headaches and pain (and pains and needles) in his legs and feet . He seems really spaced out and not right. Any help. Our GP says it’s nothing to worry about but the doctors near us have been know for giving wrong information. Any advice I’m super worried

Hi, people can be diagnosed with type 1 at an older age, is he having tests to work which type he is ?
Also 50 isn't old, but having high BS will not make anyone feel good, I do hope he gets a proper diagnosis soon.
Has he lost weight recently, really thirsty or peeing a lot, as this is a good indication of possibly being type 1.
A friend of mine, who was around the 50 age mark, felt very unwell one day and with blurred vision too, she had to get her partner to come and get her, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
I hope your dad improves soon with a proper diagnosis and treatment.

 

[xfieldok]

It's definitely not your Dad's fault. I went keto as soon as diagnosed and yes, I achieved ketosis and list weight. However, there is a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis which is life threatening. It is important to know the difference.

 

[Robinredbreast]

On his last test he had quite a high amount of ketones in his blood level, the go said it was a good thing as it meant he would loose weight quicker but I guess that’s incorrect ?
They keep thinking he’s type 2 because he’s slightly overweight and blaming him for being fat and that’s what’s caused all of this but I have a strong feeling it’s type 1. He was sent to hospital the other day for high blood sugar but was released later that day having had no medication or blood test. I feel at a loss no GP or doctor will help, I hate how they blame it all down to his weight he’s lost a tonne of weight with explanation before diagnosis and it’s making him hate going for check ups

Sometimes you really have to be assertive and strong to get things done nowadays, keep on at them, Also make sure you have times written down when you call or emails and the name of doctor's or medical professional you speak too.
Face to face is often best.
Take care

 

[bulkbiker]

Hi everyone. My father has been diagnosed about a month ago now. He was sent to hospital with a severe eye condition and a blood sugar level of 30. He’s on metaformin I think with 3 tablets a day. I’m worried because his blood sugar is still at 18 and they don’t know if he’s type 1 or 2. What’s the difference between the two? He’s also started complaining of bad headaches and pain (and pains and needles) in his legs and feet . He seems really spaced out and not right. Any help. Our GP says it’s nothing to worry about but the doctors near us have been know for giving wrong information. Any advice I’m super worried

Your dad is 50? I suggest you get him to join up here himself to get first hand advice.