Type 1, 2 Or 3c

Marcus1234

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I'm recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and am curious as to how this decision is made.
I have type 2, but how does the doctor know it's not type 1 or type 3c.
Thanks
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
I know nothing about Type 3c. Type 1 diagnosis involves special tests to see how much insulin your pancreas produces and whether you have the antibodies. These are the c-peptide and GAD tests.
 
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Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Some times a diagnosis is loud and clear. A child landing in ICU in full blown DKA will be type1. Someone having an operation to take their pancreas out is T3C.
An overweight person over 40 with a little high BG will be treated as T2, as most diabetics who are fat and over 40 will be T2.
A smart doctor or patient will keep a close eye on BG, and if diet and medication don't do enough ask themselves if it might be some other type.
 
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Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,796
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Endocrinology covers a multitude of conditions that affect your blood glucose levels, Hba1c, symptoms and diagnosis. And of course misdiagnosis.

It's all about how your body responds to food. Too much glucose, too much insulin, too little insulin and also your hormonal response.

The doctors follow guidelines to blood tests taken.
Further testing usually follows.
 
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Marcus1234

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Thanks for your replies.

I thought it would have been

High blood sugar = type 2
Low blood sugar =type 1
Pancreatic problems =type 3c
Didn't know type 2 was attached to over 40s fat people.

I'm still a newbie so still learning.
 

Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Thanks for your replies.

I thought it would have been

High blood sugar = type 2
Low blood sugar =type 1
Pancreatic problems =type 3c
Didn't know type 2 was attached to over 40s fat people.

I'm still a newbie so still learning.
Both 1 and 2 have high blood sugars, type1's often even higher than type2's upon diagnosis. The reason type1's get lows, or hypo's is because they're on insulin, which is very hard to dose correctly.
People who are thin and people who are under 40 can get type2 as well.

There are a couple of conditions where you have low blood sugar, such as reactive hypoglycaemia and some form of cancer (I think, but I don't really know anything about it) where you produce too much insulin.

Diabetes is by definition a condition with high blood sugars, leading to glucose in the urine. Hence the name; diabetes mellitus means your **** is like honey.

edit: Oh, the forum computer says no. It changed my synonym of 'urine' to stars :p. Love it, next time I take a leak I'll imagine it's the Milky Way!
 
Last edited:

EllieM

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Staff Member
Messages
9,209
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
forum bugs
Also, since 90% of diabetics are T2 now, the doctors tend to assume T2 unless there are obvious indications to the contrary (young child in DKA).
When I was diagnosed, nearly 50 years ago, the rules were simple. (No one had heard of 3c or reactive hypoglycemia). There was T1, T2 and gestational diabetes.
If you were young (under 30) and not overweight, you were T1.
If you were older (and overweight) you were T2.
If you were pregnant with high blood sugars (and not already T1) then you had gestational diabetes, which would turn into T1 if you had more than 2 children.
And the T1/T2 split was 50/50.

Maybe there were some exceptions to this, but I never heard of them.
It's a LOT more complicated now....:)
 
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Marcus1234

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Both 1 and 2 have high blood sugars, type1's often even higher than type2's upon diagnosis. The reason type1's get lows, or hypo's is because they're on insulin, which is very hard to dose correctly.
People who are thin and people who are under 40 can get type2 as well.

There are a couple of conditions where you have low blood sugar, such as reactive hypoglycaemia and some form of cancer (I think, but I don't really know anything about it) where you produce too much insulin.

Diabetes is by definition a condition with high blood sugars, leading to glucose in the urine. Hence the name; diabetes mellitus means your **** is like honey.

edit: Oh, the forum computer says no. It changed my synonym of 'urine' to stars :p. Love it, next time I take a leak I'll imagine it's the Milky Way!
Thanks Antje 77.
I've only been diagnosed 5 days ago with type 2 and never knew how the actual type of diabetes was decided.
I'm learning more every day thanks to the forum users.
 
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Marcus1234

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Also, since 90% of diabetics are T2 now, the doctors tend to assume T2 unless there are obvious indications to the contrary (young child in DKA).
When I was diagnosed, nearly 50 years ago, the rules were simple. (No one had heard of 3c or reactive hypoglycemia). There was T1, T2 and gestational diabetes.
If you were young (under 30) and not overweight, you were T1.
If you were older (and overweight) you were T2.
If you were pregnant with high blood sugars (and not already T1) then you had gestational diabetes, which would turn into T1 if you had more than 2 children.
And the T1/T2 split was 50/50.

Maybe there were some exceptions to this, but I never heard of them.
It's a LOT more complicated now....:)
Thanks EllieM. I've so much to learn and I'm a newbie too. I've got so many questions but don't want to bombard the forum with my issues when there is others who need advice besides me.
Thanks again.
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Thanks EllieM. I've so much to learn and I'm a newbie too. I've got so many questions but don't want to bombard the forum with my issues when there is others who need advice besides me.
Thanks again.

Never hold back on any questions you have. Please, ask away. You are not bombarding the forum, and there are plenty of people willing and able to give advice to everyone that asks. You can also use the search box to find old threads that have previously answered your question, and you can use the main website from the Home tab, which is like a library for diabetes - masses of information. :)
 

Marcus1234

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Never hold back on any questions you have. Please, ask away. You are not bombarding the forum, and there are plenty of people willing and able to give advice to everyone that asks. You can also use the search box to find old threads that have previously answered your question, and you can use the main website from the Home tab, which is like a library for diabetes - masses of information. :)

Thank you
 

Lamont D

Oracle
Messages
15,796
Type of diabetes
Reactive hypoglycemia
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Both 1 and 2 have high blood sugars, type1's often even higher than type2's upon diagnosis. The reason type1's get lows, or hypo's is because they're on insulin, which is very hard to dose correctly.
People who are thin and people who are under 40 can get type2 as well.

There are a couple of conditions where you have low blood sugar, such as reactive hypoglycaemia and some form of cancer (I think, but I don't really know anything about it) where you produce too much insulin.

Diabetes is by definition a condition with high blood sugars, leading to glucose in the urine. Hence the name; diabetes mellitus means your **** is like honey.

edit: Oh, the forum computer says no. It changed my synonym of 'urine' to stars :p. Love it, next time I take a leak I'll imagine it's the Milky Way!

I would add Hypoglycaemia in its many types and similar symptoms to diabetes.
Also pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. And it goes on.
Many types of endocrine conditions can be similar to how many types of type two diabetes there is. And the causes of these conditions can be diverse.
That is why quite a few patients including myself get misdiagnosed, especially by GPs and dsns, who have not had the training in such rare cases as I have.
When I researched my condition, I couldn't believe how few doctors were aware of the rarest conditions. And yet, the information is out there but it is a long and arduous task to find the details.
One of the really controversial dietary advice to most endocrine conditions, is the same as the typical type two diabetes advice to eat carbs with every meal as in the eat well plate. Even though all the data insists that carbs and sugars are the triggers, they still insist on that advice of having carbs, the likes of complex or healthy or low GI, it's clearly illogical!
If you like me had an intolerance or an allergy, would you get advice from a doctor to still eat or drink that food?
I have had lactose intolerance since a nipper, no doctor would advise me to drink milk or eat cheese so I would get the daily required portion of calcium that my body should need to be healthy.
However, my body doesn't work like that.
I have an intolerance to wheat and all the other grains and starchy vegetables potatoes, why? If you were a doctor would you advise me to eat bread, porridge or have a baked potato with beans? Where does my fibre come from?
But for years, I was.
I'm still certain that all my doctors, still believe I should be having a certain amount of carbs, but because my health is so good because I have the balance of my dietary intake is as good as it needs to be now, they don't bother.

My body is different from most diabetics, I get that I'm a bit weird, but that should not stop me eating the right foods for me, what every diabetic really needs, is the best dietary plan for them individually, taste, availability, cultural differences and intolerance, should always be considered in a treatment plan, and drugs and insulin the last resort unless it is necessary.
 

Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I would add Hypoglycaemia in its many types and similar symptoms to diabetes.
Also pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. And it goes on.
Many types of endocrine conditions can be similar to how many types of type two diabetes there is. And the causes of these conditions can be diverse.
That is why quite a few patients including myself get misdiagnosed, especially by GPs and dsns, who have not had the training in such rare cases as I have.
When I researched my condition, I couldn't believe how few doctors were aware of the rarest conditions. And yet, the information is out there but it is a long and arduous task to find the details.
One of the really controversial dietary advice to most endocrine conditions, is the same as the typical type two diabetes advice to eat carbs with every meal as in the eat well plate. Even though all the data insists that carbs and sugars are the triggers, they still insist on that advice of having carbs, the likes of complex or healthy or low GI, it's clearly illogical!
If you like me had an intolerance or an allergy, would you get advice from a doctor to still eat or drink that food?
I have had lactose intolerance since a nipper, no doctor would advise me to drink milk or eat cheese so I would get the daily required portion of calcium that my body should need to be healthy.
However, my body doesn't work like that.
I have an intolerance to wheat and all the other grains and starchy vegetables potatoes, why? If you were a doctor would you advise me to eat bread, porridge or have a baked potato with beans? Where does my fibre come from?
But for years, I was.
I'm still certain that all my doctors, still believe I should be having a certain amount of carbs, but because my health is so good because I have the balance of my dietary intake is as good as it needs to be now, they don't bother.

My body is different from most diabetics, I get that I'm a bit weird, but that should not stop me eating the right foods for me, what every diabetic really needs, is the best dietary plan for them individually, taste, availability, cultural differences and intolerance, should always be considered in a treatment plan, and drugs and insulin the last resort unless it is necessary.
You're completely right of course, but the topic starter is a very recently diagnosed diabetic who until yesterday thought type1 is low blood sugar and type2 is high blood sugar. All this information might be a bit much to take in at one time, especially as there is no low blood sugar involved in Marcuses case...
 
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Marcus1234

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
You're completely right of course, but the topic starter is a very recently diagnosed diabetic who until yesterday thought type1 is low blood sugar and type2 is high blood sugar. All this information might be a bit much to take in at one time, especially as there is no low blood sugar involved in Marcuses case...
I didn't know there are different types of type 2 diabetes, and that pancreatic problems are connected with type 1, I only thought pancreatic problems are connected to type 3c but I am still a newbie who was only diagnosed on Wednesday.
 

Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I didn't know there are different types of type 2 diabetes
There aren't, really. Although treatment is not the same for everyone. Read through @daisy1 's info sheet again, I read it many times after diagnosis :) .
Lamont D wrote mainly about other conditions that are connected with blood sugars, not type2.
 
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daisy1

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Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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Cruelty towards animals.
@Marcus1234

Hello Marcus and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask more questions when you need to and someone will try to help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
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Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
I didn't know there are different types of type 2 diabetes, and that pancreatic problems are connected with type 1, I only thought pancreatic problems are connected to type 3c but I am still a newbie who was only diagnosed on Wednesday.

It is worth reading about the different types. In Daisy's post above there is a link to what this website has to say
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-types.html
 

Marcus1234

Well-Known Member
Messages
173
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
@Marcus1234

Hello Marcus and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask more questions when you need to and someone will try to help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
Thanks for this Daisy, I think you sent this me before. Thanks again.