Type 1 or Type 2?

[Violingirl]

My mother was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her early 20’s. She is now approaching her 80’s. She has been on insulin since diagnosed and as diabetes runs in her family as well was told she was always type 1. She has been trying to get a libre sensor off her doctor (she quite likes mine) but at the last appointment she was told she was actually type 2 and therefore didn’t qualify for one! How is she now type 2? Are they just using this as an excuse for her not to have one.

 

[Goonergal]

Well a type 1 wouldn’t suddenly become type 2. Given your mother’s age, being type 2 in her 20s would have been extremely rare. I’d be double checking and asking to see medical records.

 

[ert]

Insulin on diagnosis would support type 1. She will need a specialist appointment to ask for funding for a sensor and not a GP.

 

[Antje77]

but at the last appointment she was told she was actually type 2 and therefore didn’t qualify for one! How is she now type 2?

Is this doctor her GP or her endo? I think the doctor simply isn't used to T1's in their 70's and assumes T2.

 

[KK123]

My mother was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her early 20’s. She is now approaching her 80’s. She has been on insulin since diagnosed and as diabetes runs in her family as well was told she was always type 1. She has been trying to get a libre sensor off her doctor (she quite likes mine) but at the last appointment she was told she was actually type 2 and therefore didn’t qualify for one! How is she now type 2? Are they just using this as an excuse for her not to have one.

I strongly suspect that because your Mum was diagnosed 60 years ago (same as mine), back then you were either classified as type 1 (ONLY thought to be children) and any adult was either a type 2 on insulin or a type 2 not on insulin. My Mum's records showed 'type 2 on insulin'. I discussed this many times over the years with her medical team and they said 'She would have been classified as type 1 these days but there would be no point reclassifying now as she was on insulin anyway so her treatment wouldn't change'. Now of course the treatment HAS changed with the advent of new devices. No additional tests were conducted back then either, you either needed insulin straight away or they expected you to go on to insulin sooner or later. In your situation, I would INSIST that she has been on insulin for 60 years and is as eligible for a Libre same as any type 1 provided she fits the criteria. Look it up on the NICE guidelines and complain, and push, and force them to make an informed decision rather than 'the computer says type 2'! Remember too that very few type 1s get it on prescription, there are a fair few hoops to jump through, don't be deterred though. x

 

[EllieM]

I strongly suspect that because your Mum was diagnosed 60 years ago (same as mine), back then you were either classified as type 1 (ONLY thought to be children) and any adult was either a type 2 on insulin or a type 2 not on insulin. My Mum's records showed 'type 2 on insulin'.

Interesting, my mum was diagnosed mid 1950s in her early 20s and I don't think there was any question that she was T1. (Late DKA diagnosis, the several family members who were doctors were very embarrassed to have missed it) In my youth I was told that it was T1 if under 30, T2 if older, so maybe different hospitals had different diagnostic criteria?