When Type 2 turns to Type 1 Diabetes

[Mep]

So if a Type 2's pancreas does develop antibodies what name does that illness have?.

You'd have auto immune diabetes (type 1 or type 1.5) if you had antibodies as per GAD test result. If you're referring to the c-peptide test results which looks at your insulin production... then you'd still be type 2. That's my experience.... my GAD results doesn't show antibodies present, although my c-peptide result came back in the red meaning I'm insulin deficient and need to be on insulin therapy to treat my diabetes. I don't have the same auto immune diabetes like type 1. I just have beta cell damage to my pancreas. As others have mentioned already if you do have a positive GAD result then you would've been misdiagnosed in the first place.

 

[guylan]

Welcome I'm insulin dependant because I no longer produce the insulin I need. I'm still type 2. You may well be type 1.5 or type 1. Then again you just may be the same as me in that you don't produce much insulin and need insulin therapy to manage your diabetes. Being insulin dependant type 2 doesn't make me a type 1.5 or type 1.... they have done the auto immune tests on me (the GAD test has been done 3 times on me) and it always comes back showing that I'm still type 2. But whatever the type, if you need insulin, you need it. The only time you don't need it is when you produce sufficient insulin and you can manage with diet and/or oral medications. I wish you the best.

Thank you very much for your response, I learn more each day. Wish you the best as well.

 

[guylan]

Thank you very

Hi @guylan. I was diagnosed type 2 nearly 10 years ago. However after 18 months of extremely high blood sugars my consultant checked my GAD antibodies and I've been rediagnosed as type 1 so the delayed onset can be quite long as I was well controlled up until this point. That being said, there are type 2s who require insulin as part of their management, my dad being one of them. The only way to be sure if you are type 1 or 2 is to have your antibodies checked. Good luck either way, you will find plenty of support on here.

Thank you very much much for your feedback, I learn more each day and will continue to research by using this site

 

[CUNNINGHAMMARTIN]

Hi Everyone, a pleasure to meet you all. I have been a diabetic for approx 7 years and have been diagnosed as type 2 diabetic by a previous Doctor, I am 63 years of age..

I had a new doctor examine me yesterday who was surprised I was type 2 as I follow none of the ordinary rules governing this e.g. not overweight, I am physically fit, no family history etc. I am on insulin, having previously on Metformin as only this seems to control my blood sugars. She suggested I might be type 1 diabetic with delayed onset; that is a big delay! Has anyone come across this before ? Or any comments ?

Thanks in advance

John

Hi there , looks like I'm going the same way my doctor came up with this yesterday, I will keep you posted

 

[bkr]

I had the very same, although I think we may be the thin on the outside fat on the inside 'TOFI' folks that Dr Michael Mosely talks of, and not so much LADA 1.5 as some folks are quick to steer to.

When I went to the dietitian meeting group (with the eat well plate!) they were confused that I was diabetic type 2 as Im trim and fit, I was the youngest too (late 30's) I guess it still all seems a bit unfair at times, but dont worry.

 

[Judie Elizabeth]

Hi Everyone, a pleasure to meet you all. I have been a diabetic for approx 7 years and have been diagnosed as type 2 diabetic by a previous Doctor, I am 63 years of age..

I had a new doctor examine me yesterday who was surprised I was type 2 as I follow none of the ordinary rules governing this e.g. not overweight, I am physically fit, no family history etc. I am on insulin, having previously on Metformin as only this seems to control my blood sugars. She suggested I might be type 1 diabetic with delayed onset; that is a big delay! Has anyone come across this before ? Or any comments ?

Thanks in advance

John

I am continually frustrated by references to types of diabetes. I guess I am a type 2 but there has been confusion as to whether I might or might not be type 1 and I have had gestational diabetes with each of my children. Like you I am not over weight. The best advice I was given by a GP, not my own, was to deal with and treat what presents. I have taken this advice I am diabetic and I treat what I have in the best way that I can. So I take insulin as this works best for me I take metformin as this also works well in tandem with the insulin. If this works do I care what type I am ? No I just look after myself in relation to what presents.

Does it matter what type I am ?

 

[Interaud]

Whilst I was originally diagnosed as T2, I was prescribed insulin Humulin M3 injections twice daily. I am now officially recorded as being "Secondary Pancreatic Pathology". My Chronic Pancreatitis initially gave up and succumbed to not working enough to provide the insulin I needed. Still treat my condition as T1 though.

 

[Orientlass]

Thank you. I have had an auto immune disease though which meant my antibodies turned on my thyroid cells so surely if I can have this happen, the pancreas too might some day be under similar attack and hence you become Type 1/1.5 or something else?

They say that i have autoimmune disease which first attcked my pancreas and then turned on my thyroid...but hasnt killed it off as yet, just attacked it then stopped!!
Tablets didnt work so im on insulin...my tum & diabetes & endo specialists say im type 1 but GP says type 2 or 1.5!! Getting a clear answer seems impossible as they say GAD test may not be applicable for me!

 

[Orientlass]

Whilst I was originally diagnosed as T2, I was prescribed insulin Humulin M3 injections twice daily. I am now officially recorded as being "Secondary Pancreatic Pathology". My Chronic Pancreatitis initially gave up and succumbed to not working enough to provide the insulin I needed. Still treat my condition as T1 though.

Pretty much same here! Tablets didnt touch my high bloods so onto insulin quite quickly. Am told by my diabetes team i am type 1 but we are still trying to work out why pancreas gave up...thro auto immune or complications after reflux op.
Im going to ask about if yr diagnosis 'Secondary Pancreatic Pathology' relates to me too. Very helpful post for me, thanks!

 

[azure]

They say that i have autoimmune disease which first attcked my pancreas and then turned on my thyroid...but hasnt killed it off as yet, just attacked it then stopped!!
Tablets didnt work so im on insulin...my tum & diabetes & endo specialists say im type 1 but GP says type 2 or 1.5!! Getting a clear answer seems impossible as they say GAD test may not be applicable for me!

I'd listen to your specialist...

 

[desidiabulum]

I had a long chat with a senior research professor who specialized in diabetes a year or so after my so-called diagnosis as 'MODY?' His own opinion was that we will end up with hundreds of named types and our use of just T1. 1.5, 2 categories would in the future look incredibly primitive. He thought that the problem was partly that classification began before the chemistry was understood and that the further refinements just made the diagnostic system more confused. I have given up on ever getting a proper diagnosis (the one on my signature strip is how I am listed on documentation but doesn't make much sense). The key is just to follow whatever combination of lifestyle, diet and medication seems to work in controlling BGs, and that may change over time. As I understand it (necessary prelude to providing doubtful information!) the only problems with misdiagnosis seem to occur when T2s are given insulin too early, and insulin resistance means the treatment exacerbates the condition, or T1.5 is misdiagnosed as T2 and the move to insulin is delayed too long. But I'm no expert and am happy to shrug and leave the categorization to others.

 

[Interaud]

Pretty much same here! Tablets didnt touch my high bloods so onto insulin quite quickly. Am told by my diabetes team i am type 1 but we are still trying to work out why pancreas gave up...thro auto immune or complications after reflux op.
Im going to ask about if yr diagnosis 'Secondary Pancreatic Pathology' relates to me too. Very helpful post for me, thanks!

Glad to give some info for you to pursue - hope you get satisfactory answers