Diagnosed yesterday, unsure which type

[TallyNats90]

Hiya

So I was told yesterday that I am diabetic. I had some routine blood tests done and my sugar levels were high, then had an hba1c which also came back high (unsure of exact number as my appointment was very short!) I was told to make an appointment with my nurse to discuss my blood results. She told me I was diabetic but that she wasn't sure which type I was. She said that my results were high but not typical of type 1. But she also said how quick my symptoms developed pointed to type 1. My mum and my sister are both type 1 too, so she said that was pointing towards type 1. She tested my urine, which contained glucose but not ketones and said that pointed more to type 2. I wanted a definitive answer, obviously, but I now have to wait until Monday to see her again for her to properly explain where we go from there. In the mean time she has given me metformin in case I am type 2. (Slightly peeved that I was only allocated a 10 minute appointment to be told I have diabetes and to cram explanations in!) luckily for me I am fairly knowledgable about type 1 as I've grown up surrounded by it. But I have no idea about type 2. I'm sorry this is so rambling! So yeah, I'm kind of living in limbo until Monday and beyond as I doubt any further test results will be back in the space of an appointment. Has anyone had this? Where you didn't fit into either diagnostic criteria? I'd just like to know now so I can start doing what I need to do to get it under control!

(Oh forgot to say, I'm 25. So that doesn't really fit in to either criteria either)

Again, sorry for the rambling. Guess I needed to get it all written down

 

[azure]

Welcome @TallyNats90

You could ask for a GAD test to determine your type. If I was you, I'd also ask for a referral to a consultant. With your family history, I'd think it was more likely you had Type 1, but a consultant would have a much better idea than a nurse.

Have you been testing your blood sugar at home now?

 

[TallyNats90]

Welcome @TallyNats90

You could ask for a GAD test to determine your type. If I was you, I'd also ask for a referral to a consultant. With your family history, I'd think it was more likely you had Type 1, but a consultant would have a much better idea than a nurse.

Have you been testing your blood sugar at home now?

Hiya

Thanks for the welcome and the reply! I think the point of my appointment on Monday is to organise a GAD test. I also plan to ask for a referral as I too thought they would know more than a nurse.

I haven't been testing my blood sugar at home as I don't have a monitor but I plan to buy one today.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I think you are likely to be T1 but your nurse appears to assume that being a T1 means you present as an emergency with high ketones and blood sugar. Blood sugar level doesn't enable you to differentiate between types. Late onset T1 can come on at wildly varying rates and many GPs just assume T2 if it is developing slowly. One good guide is whether you are slim or overweight. This isn't conclusive but the latest NICE Guidelines tell the GPs to consider T1 if you present as slim and have lost weight recently. The GAD test is worth doing and so is the c-peptide as the latter will show your current insulin production level.

 

[TallyNats90]

Hi

Thank you for your reply. I am slightly overweight but have recently been loosing a fair bit, so I wonder if that's another reason they're unsure.

I'll be sure to put these point across to the nurse on Monday! Thank you

 

[tinyfilosofer]

Keep us updated. Neither is good to have. I mean I hope it's just something temporary and you're just fine


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[TallyNats90]

Thank you. I'll let you know when I do

 

[tinyfilosofer]

So how?


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[TallyNats90]

Sorry, how what?

 

[Andy-Sev]

Sorry to say this but I was diagnosed diabetic 9 months ago, I had high blood sugar and keytones at presentation, yet I'm still in limbo over which type. Long story short one consultant says I'm antibody negative type 1/LADA another says maybe MODY, a nurse says I must be Type 2. When this first happened it annoyed me like crazy as I wanted it confirmed but to be honest I don't think about it now and whilst I class myself as Type LADA in the honeymoon phase I just concentrate on staying healthy rather than worrying about the label, that will no doubt work itself out. And part of staying healthy is educating myself for what to be aware of in case things suddenly start going bad because relying on the doctors is not a good way to go.

Anyway good luck and I hope you do get the diagnosis sorted.

 

[TallyNats90]

Thanks for the reply. And sorry you've been waiting so long only to have different people tell you different things! I think I'm going to be taking a leaf out of your book and just trying to be as healthy as I can. I originally was frustrated because I knew the different types had differences and different treatments. But I have thought the past few days that regardless of which type it ultimately is, I need to make changes to my life style anyway. So I've decided it's probably best to implement diet changes and exercise changes whilst waiting for referrals etc.

 

[azure]

Hi

Thank you for your reply. I am slightly overweight but have recently been loosing a fair bit, so I wonder if that's another reason they're unsure.

I'll be sure to put these point across to the nurse on Monday! Thank you

If you've lost that weight without trying and relatively quickly, that sounds more like Type 1. My type 1 came on more slowly than I thought was normal, and it was only just before I went I to hospital that I started to feel really ill. That week the weight fell off me and I became quite obviously unwell. That deterioration was quite sudden after the previous 'not being quite right', so do test your blood suga regularly, particularly after meals.

Please don't be dissuaded from seeing a consultant. In my opinion, it's best to see a specialist as soon as you can, especially as you have Type 1 in your family. Even if the specialist says it's not Type 1, at least you can then move on and get the appropriate treatment.

 

[tinyfilosofer]

Sorry, how what?

Sorry thought it is Monday already. Anxiously waiting to hear that you are alright.


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[TallyNats90]

So I've had my appointment and am none the wiser really. Need to go and have a GAD test done at some point but have been told that'll take around six weeks to come back. So have been advised to wait and see if the metformin has any effect in the meantime. I've also been referred to a dietician. I asked about a referral to a specialist and was basically told there's no need for that yet. I have bought a test kit so I will keep checking my sugar levels at home and if they get any worse I will be going back to ask for a referral again. That's as much as I know at the moment. Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

 

[tinyfilosofer]

Oh.. That's tough. Keep it up! Hope you'll be fine


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