"You don't look like a Type 2 diabetic"

[Keesha]

Can I ask how your T2 was diagnosed versus late onset T1?

My entire family has T2. I think I will ask my doctor about T1 and MODY on my next appointment, just to be sure.

 

[Catsinspace]

I get this too,
At work i sometimes need to take time off and then am spoken to like i actually want to be ill.
Angers me a lot

 

[sunflower27]

Can I ask how your T2 was diagnosed versus late onset T1?

hi,

Rather than get frustrated by the comment, why don't you look at out as a compliment? I get the same comments and I use them to encourage me.

Often, to become T2, someone does not look after themselves; they become overweight and etc.You have your weight under control and probably look pretty healthy; your A1c is in the right range. You obviously work hard to get these results.

You are just not the person which they expect to see. Take it as their way of saying "wow, good job".

Peter

Hi, I don't go to medical specialists for flattery - I go for answers to medical problems.

Personally, I don't think outward appearances necessarily give a good indication of what;s going on internally. I put on weight very suddenly about 6 months before I found out I had T2. Even with this weight gain, I was still within 'normal' weight.

I read about Roy Taylors work and decided to go on a diet (for the first time in my life). Instead of using "diet drinks' (which seemed to be full of sugar) I simply cut calories to about 1000 to 1100 a day. After 6 weeks and 500 mg metformin per day I'd lost all the weight I'd put on, and a bit extra. My daily b/g tests with my own monitor showed that my levels had returned to normal. In fact I had to stop the metformin because I was going too low on occassion (3.2). I now just eat normally and healthily (obviously doughnuts are not on the menu) and I stay within the same wieght range and normal HbA1c results. My last HbA1c was 6.3 but this I have been assured is because I have developed hyperthyroidism. Hopefully it will return to normal once this is under control. Even so, this is still a pre-diabetic result and I'm not sure that it wouldn't have happened if I had not been diabetic,

So no, I don't work hard. I don't need encouragement. I don't like being talked to like a child. I would just like some sensible answers from medical experts.

It's a myth perpetuated by the press and the government that all people who develop T2 are fat ignorant and lazy. What about the effects of other drugs on the development of T2 - ie: statins and betablockers? Or other diseases such as hypothyroid or hyperthyroid conditions?

The government are imposing a sugar tax - probably a very good thing, but it will line their coffers. Will the money be put towards diabetes services? What do you think?

 

[serenity648]

The government are imposing a sugar tax - probably a very good thing, but it will line their coffers. Will the money be put towards diabetes services? What do you think?

I think that forum rules prevent me from saying what I think

 

[rolypolypudding]

Excuse me, but I have to vent some frustrations before my head explodes!

I've recently had some problems with an overactive thyroid recently as well as being T2 for 4 years. I'm pretty sure that the overactive thyroid is making me much more irritable than usual but please bear with me!

Yesterday I had a consultation with an Endocrinologist. After the initial introductions, I started to describe my symptoms, obviously mentioning diabetes. At first he assumed I was Type 1. When I corrected him, out came the dreaded phrase:

"You don't look like a Type 2 diabetic"

My heart sank.I must have heard this comment a hundred times from healthcare proffessionals: From GPs to nurses to eye specialists and now consultant specialists. What is a T2 diabetic supposed to look like? I'm pretty sure there are as many varieties as there are people suffering from it. Perhaps this is why my GP completely failed to diagnose me in the first place, despite numerous visits to the surgery, and I ended up having to get a test done myself at a Lloyds pharmacy. I had a b/g reading of 30.1 when I was admitted to hospital.

In case you are wondering, I am 5'4'' and weigh about 8st 4. My HbA1c results have been normal for the last 3 years and I haven't needed to medication since about 8 months after diagnosis. Yet still, this consultant started talking about putting me on to a low carb Atkins diet. I understand the importance of low carbs for a lot of people, but I have been fine on a sensible diet and really do not want to loose any more weight. I'm a size 8 jeans already. Also I can't see how a high protein high fat diet would help my cholesterol levels which are high anyway (but including high Hdl's too).

Does anyone feel that there is a tick box mentality in the NHS? Isn't it about time healthcare proffessionals actually looked at clinical facts rather than just made judgements on outward appearances? One size does definitely not fit all.

Apologies for the rant.

 

[rolypolypudding]

I work with somebody who has Type 2. he is slim, takes regular exercise, watches his diet [especially the carbs] - and still has trouble controlling his blood sugar levels.
Meanwhile I am obese, eat all the wrong food and not taking exercise - and I am still in the prediabetic phase [as at my last blood test in Jan].
Go figure, as the Americans would say.
I think people do associate type 2 with obesity because there has been so much publicity about it - and obesity is undoubtedly a risk factor.

 

[serenity648]

I have been wondering for some time if obesity is an actual risk factor?

Maybe obesity is a symptom in some people? and we are looking at this backwards? That the weight gain is a product of the blood sugar issues, not the other way around?

And the media and medical profession are punishing/shaming people for displaying a symptom of diabetes?

I know I maintained my weight(slim), with no problem, for decades. I never have, and still dont, stuff my face or over eat. Until I went onto antidepressants (seroxat/paxil/paroxetine) I was fine, slim, active, and then the weight went on very quickly and I became pre-diabetic and developed ME (which is lifting a bit now my sugars are more stable)

 

[hh1]

I have been wondering for some time if obesity is an actual risk factor?

Maybe obesity is a symptom in some people? and we are looking at this backwards? That the weight gain is a product of the blood sugar issues, not the other way around?

And the media and medical profession are punishing/shaming people for displaying a symptom of diabetes?

I know I maintained my weight(slim), with no problem, for decades. I never have, and still dont, stuff my face or over eat. Until I went onto antidepressants (seroxat/paxil/paroxetine) I was fine, slim, active, and then the weight went on very quickly and I became pre-diabetic and developed ME (which is lifting a bit now my sugars are more stable)

There's a TED talk that floats the idea that obesity may be a response to insulin resistance, not the other way round; you can find it at https://www.ted.com/talks/peter_attia_what_if_we_re_wrong_about_diabetes

 

[serenity648]

There's a TED talk that floats the idea that obesity may be a response to insulin resistance, not the other way round; you can find it at https://www.ted.com/talks/peter_attia_what_if_we_re_wrong_about_diabetes

Thank you.

 

[Hotpepper20000]

There's a TED talk that floats the idea that obesity may be a response to insulin resistance, not the other way round; you can find it at https://www.ted.com/talks/peter_attia_what_if_we_re_wrong_about_diabetes

Thank you for this link!

 

[Robbo756]

Excuse me, but I have to vent some frustrations before my head explodes!

I've recently had some problems with an overactive thyroid recently as well as being T2 for 4 years. I'm pretty sure that the overactive thyroid is making me much more irritable than usual but please bear with me!

Yesterday I had a consultation with an Endocrinologist. After the initial introductions, I started to describe my symptoms, obviously mentioning diabetes. At first he assumed I was Type 1. When I corrected him, out came the dreaded phrase:

"You don't look like a Type 2 diabetic"

My heart sank.I must have heard this comment a hundred times from healthcare proffessionals: From GPs to nurses to eye specialists and now consultant specialists. What is a T2 diabetic supposed to look like? I'm pretty sure there are as many varieties as there are people suffering from it. Perhaps this is why my GP completely failed to diagnose me in the first place, despite numerous visits to the surgery, and I ended up having to get a test done myself at a Lloyds pharmacy. I had a b/g reading of 30.1 when I was admitted to hospital.

In case you are wondering, I am 5'4'' and weigh about 8st 4. My HbA1c results have been normal for the last 3 years and I haven't needed to medication since about 8 months after diagnosis. Yet still, this consultant started talking about putting me on to a low carb Atkins diet. I understand the importance of low carbs for a lot of people, but I have been fine on a sensible diet and really do not want to loose any more weight. I'm a size 8 jeans already. Also I can't see how a high protein high fat diet would help my cholesterol levels which are high anyway (but including high Hdl's too).

Does anyone feel that there is a tick box mentality in the NHS? Isn't it about time healthcare proffessionals actually looked at clinical facts rather than just made judgements on outward appearances? One size does definitely not fit all.

Apologies for the rant.

I get this all the time. I'm male, weigh 67kg and am 5'8". I have a 30" waist, oh yeah, I'm also 55 years old. I was diagnosed T2 a couple of years ago. I was getting frustrated as all the advice on eating seemed to be focused on losing weight. I eventually convinced my GP to refer me to a dietitian - waste of time! When I hear the 'you don't look like a T2' now, I try to take it as a compliment. However, the stereotype is frustrating.

 

[FatBoyT]

Excuse me, but I have to vent some frustrations before my head explodes!

I've recently had some problems with an overactive thyroid recently as well as being T2 for 4 years. I'm pretty sure that the overactive thyroid is making me much more irritable than usual but please bear with me!

Yesterday I had a consultation with an Endocrinologist. After the initial introductions, I started to describe my symptoms, obviously mentioning diabetes. At first he assumed I was Type 1. When I corrected him, out came the dreaded phrase:

"You don't look like a Type 2 diabetic"

My heart sank.I must have heard this comment a hundred times from healthcare proffessionals: From GPs to nurses to eye specialists and now consultant specialists. What is a T2 diabetic supposed to look like? I'm pretty sure there are as many varieties as there are people suffering from it. Perhaps this is why my GP completely failed to diagnose me in the first place, despite numerous visits to the surgery, and I ended up having to get a test done myself at a Lloyds pharmacy. I had a b/g reading of 30.1 when I was admitted to hospital.

In case you are wondering, I am 5'4'' and weigh about 8st 4. My HbA1c results have been normal for the last 3 years and I haven't needed to medication since about 8 months after diagnosis. Yet still, this consultant started talking about putting me on to a low carb Atkins diet. I understand the importance of low carbs for a lot of people, but I have been fine on a sensible diet and really do not want to loose any more weight. I'm a size 8 jeans already. Also I can't see how a high protein high fat diet would help my cholesterol levels which are high anyway (but including high Hdl's too).

Does anyone feel that there is a tick box mentality in the NHS? Isn't it about time healthcare proffessionals actually looked at clinical facts rather than just made judgements on outward appearances? One size does definitely not fit all.

Apologies for the rant.

Excuse me, but I have to vent some frustrations before my head explodes!

I've recently had some problems with an overactive thyroid recently as well as being T2 for 4 years. I'm pretty sure that the overactive thyroid is making me much more irritable than usual but please bear with me!

Yesterday I had a consultation with an Endocrinologist. After the initial introductions, I started to describe my symptoms, obviously mentioning diabetes. At first he assumed I was Type 1. When I corrected him, out came the dreaded phrase:

"You don't look like a Type 2 diabetic"

My heart sank.I must have heard this comment a hundred times from healthcare proffessionals: From GPs to nurses to eye specialists and now consultant specialists. What is a T2 diabetic supposed to look like? I'm pretty sure there are as many varieties as there are people suffering from it. Perhaps this is why my GP completely failed to diagnose me in the first place, despite numerous visits to the surgery, and I ended up having to get a test done myself at a Lloyds pharmacy. I had a b/g reading of 30.1 when I was admitted to hospital.

In case you are wondering, I am 5'4'' and weigh about 8st 4. My HbA1c results have been normal for the last 3 years and I haven't needed to medication since about 8 months after diagnosis. Yet still, this consultant started talking about putting me on to a low carb Atkins diet. I understand the importance of low carbs for a lot of people, but I have been fine on a sensible diet and really do not want to loose any more weight. I'm a size 8 jeans already. Also I can't see how a high protein high fat diet would help my cholesterol levels which are high anyway (but including high Hdl's too).

Does anyone feel that there is a tick box mentality in the NHS? Isn't it about time healthcare proffessionals actually looked at clinical facts rather than just made judgements on outward appearances? One size does definitely not fit all.

Apologies for the rant.

I am living in Canberra Australia. I am T2 and weigh 66.5kg down from 90kg and get told by everyone all the time you don't look like a Diabetic or even sick. It shits me to tears! So you are not on your own.

 

[therower]

Hi @FatBoyT . " it shits me to tears ".... I ain't never heard that one before.
Seriously though this just isn't a problem relating to diabetes. Throughout my adult life I have been seen by many as a certain type of person. 6ft, 15+ st, 48 chest, 16+ arms shaved head and quite shy.
It stands to reason that I'm a doorman, ex prisoner, troublemaker and generally someone to steer well clear of.
Actually I'm a big softie but it's really hard to convince people at first.AND I'm type 1 but no one really gives a **** when I tell them that.
Preconceptions we all have them......sadly.

 

[Jay-Marc]

"But you're not even overweight". Fed up of hearing that one.

All of my dad's brothers and sisters developed T2 at some time. I and a cousin have. My father hasn't even though he has additionally taken prednisolone daily for 15+ years for polymyalgia rheumatica. Tested regularly because of the family history and remains in the normal area into his 80s.

Even though the dice may be loaded they don't always land as might be expected.

 

[Dark Horse]

This is quite an interesting article from the Joslin Diabetes Centre in the USA, entitled "Thin and Type 2: Non-Obese Risk Factors for Developing Diabetes" :- http://blog.joslin.org/2014/05/thin-and-type-2-non-obese-risk-factors-for-developing-diabetes/

It recommends both aerobic and especially strength training exercise for slim Type 2s as some studies suggest that they have a higher risk of heart disease than obese Type 2s.

 

[sunflower27]

This is quite an interesting article from the Joslin Diabetes Centre in the USA, entitled "Thin and Type 2: Non-Obese Risk Factors for Developing Diabetes" :- http://blog.joslin.org/2014/05/thin-and-type-2-non-obese-risk-factors-for-developing-diabetes/

It recommends both aerobic and especially strength training exercise for slim Type 2s as some studies suggest that they have a higher risk of heart disease than obese Type 2s.

 

[sunflower27]

Thanks Dark Horse, I'll take a look at the link.
It's ironic though - everyone tells T2s stay slim and you won't get the awful side effects.
Looks like it's going to get you anyway. There is no escape!

 

[JohnEGreen]

The last person to say that to me was my diabetic consultant, mind you he did not see me before I'd lost weight.

 

[ZoeRowsell]

Excuse me, but I have to vent some frustrations before my head explodes!

I've recently had some problems with an overactive thyroid recently as well as being T2 for 4 years. I'm pretty sure that the overactive thyroid is making me much more irritable than usual but please bear with me!

Yesterday I had a consultation with an Endocrinologist. After the initial introductions, I started to describe my symptoms, obviously mentioning diabetes. At first he assumed I was Type 1. When I corrected him, out came the dreaded phrase:

"You don't look like a Type 2 diabetic"

My heart sank.I must have heard this comment a hundred times from healthcare proffessionals: From GPs to nurses to eye specialists and now consultant specialists. What is a T2 diabetic supposed to look like? I'm pretty sure there are as many varieties as there are people suffering from it. Perhaps this is why my GP completely failed to diagnose me in the first place, despite numerous visits to the surgery, and I ended up having to get a test done myself at a Lloyds pharmacy. I had a b/g reading of 30.1 when I was admitted to hospital.

In case you are wondering, I am 5'4'' and weigh about 8st 4. My HbA1c results have been normal for the last 3 years and I haven't needed to medication since about 8 months after diagnosis. Yet still, this consultant started talking about putting me on to a low carb Atkins diet. I understand the importance of low carbs for a lot of people, but I have been fine on a sensible diet and really do not want to loose any more weight. I'm a size 8 jeans already. Also I can't see how a high protein high fat diet would help my cholesterol levels which are high anyway (but including high Hdl's too).

Does anyone feel that there is a tick box mentality in the NHS? Isn't it about time healthcare proffessionals actually looked at clinical facts rather than just made judgements on outward appearances? One size does definitely not fit all.

Apologies for the rant.

What they were trying to say was "but you're not fat!". I don't get that question. I get the opposite lol.

 

[DavidGrahamJones]

Maybe obesity is a symptom in some people? and we are looking at this backwards? That the weight gain is a product of the blood sugar issues, not the other way around?

There is an hypothesis that says high carbs (I wish I could define high, high for an individual) leads to more insulin which leads to weight gain and insulin resistance.

For what it's worth you might like to follow this link https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/insulin-causes-weight-gain-hormonal-obesity-iv/. There's a lovely reference to Caloric Reduction as Primary (****) hypothesis of obesity.

It has long been my thinking that calories in/calories out isn't the WHOLE story, just part of a very complex tale, the body.

I don't doubt that we should eat less overall (I already do) and exercise more (I already do) but after that the medical profession have no idea at all.