New diagnosis LADA

Mad76

Well-Known Member
Messages
319
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Your gp surgery should give you a glucose testing kit for free. The receptionist will probably just give you it if you ask. Well that's what mine did anyway.

Personally I'd recommend the freestyle libre. Its pricy but with me its stopped me stressing about hypos.
 

JMoli

Well-Known Member
Messages
250
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Your gp surgery should give you a glucose testing kit for free. The receptionist will probably just give you it if you ask. Well that's what mine did anyway.

Personally I'd recommend the freestyle libre. Its pricy but with me its stopped me stressing about hypos.

I have a testing kit (I even have two, one from the GP and then one from the hospital that also tests keotones) I’m using it four time’s a day just now. I was wondering about the thing on your arm that monitors it? Do you have one? Sorry if I’m a bit confused!
 
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JMoli

Well-Known Member
Messages
250
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi there.

You do not need to buy a meter and testing strips. You will get these on prescription along with all the rest of the things you need.

You could contact your DSN and ask for one in advance of your appointment. Failing that your GP practice should be able to provide you with one.

Pleased to here you are feeling more positive about things

Hi there, I do have a testing kit and strips and am checking four times a day just now. I was wondering about something that could check me through the night as I’m really scared of hypos. I think I’m trying to prepare myself as much as humanly possible, I’m very very anxious
 

ert

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,588
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
diabetes
fasting
I self funded a Freestyle Libre because I was scared of hypos. I have a Miao Miao attached to the Libre which alarms when I'm low.
 
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Mad76

Well-Known Member
Messages
319
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have a testing kit (I even have two, one from the GP and then one from the hospital that also tests keotones) I’m using it four time’s a day just now. I was wondering about the thing on your arm that monitors it? Do you have one? Sorry if I’m a bit confused!
Yeah
That thing on my arm is the freestyle libre
It's really good
I had it since diagnosis less than a year ago.

I started off paying for it myself but I now get it on the nhs

It's so good
Can check by level by scanning it
 

Mad76

Well-Known Member
Messages
319
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I also have a miomio 2
So alarm goes off if low
Paid for thay myself but well worth the money
 

jamesfitz

Well-Known Member
Messages
131
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
get on insulin straight away no delays, helps long term control and preserves any remaining beta cells
 

LADA23

Newbie
Messages
4
Hiya

I was diagnosed as a LADA/MODY around 1.5yeats ago now. I am only 23 now and was 21 when I found out. I was put on metformin at the start which worked well for around seven months but then sugars kept on creeping up and then was put on sitagliptin which I am currently on. However, what with lockdown my diet has been terrible. Been putting off reading my sugars and was shocked when I tested yesterday to see a reading of 24! Was scared I was in Ketoacidosis and don’t have testing strips but it came down to 12 in the morning (fasting) and I don’t have any of the symptoms. Have vowed to start a healthy eating lifestyle as this has really shocked me but I don’t know if I should continue on tablets or request a little bit of insulin? Should I give gliclazide a try as well? Would appreciate any help from anyone who is in my position!
 

MarkMunday

Well-Known Member
Messages
421
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
The important reason for starting insulin as soon as possible is that it helps preserve remaining beta cells. So you make more of your own insulin and and controlling blood glucose is much easier. This is a limited window of opportunity that will close quickly. And it can't be reopened later. High blood glucose kills beta cells.

On the technology issue, it helps to learn the ropes without it. It gives a better understanding and creates productive forward thinking mindset. Technology doesn't make it easier either. For me it was the opposite. I have used pumps and CGM's and being free of the technology after returning to MDI and test strips has been liberating.
 

gav_red

Active Member
Messages
41
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
A CGM is a continuous glucose monitor. I have the libre. It's basically like a small sensor that goes on your arm. And it tells your blood glucose readings without doing a finger prick. Mines connected by bluetooth to my phone. Sends readings every 5 minutes. Its actually amazing. I would struggle massively without it
I sometimes buy the libre to try and learn how my body is behaving. How do you connect it via bluetooth?
 

ert

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,588
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
diabetes
fasting
I refused insulin for 2 years. I have no regrets. I managed my BS by not eating carbohydrates and completing extreme exercise. I was told I need insulin to preserve my beta-cell function but instead was monitored during this time. My specialist agrees now after two GAD antibody results it was two immune system responses, two years apart, that moved me onto needing insulin, as the cause, rather than not being on insulin as I wasn't running my BS's high.
 
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Millie74

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
I was diagnosed Jan 2019 Type 2, then asked for more tests in November 2019 and was diagnosed LADA. Had GAD antibodies around 1700. C peptide was ok. I have only had one telephone consultation with the hospital diabetologist in May due to lockdown and a previous cancellation in March. She said as hba1c was 45mmol in Dec and March I don’t need insulin yet. She told me to raise the level of carbs I eat to 50g a day. Have done this, but gained a few pounds. I keep a constant check on blood sugars.
 
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LADA23

Newbie
Messages
4
I was diagnosed Jan 2019 Type 2, then asked for more tests in November 2019 and was diagnosed LADA. Had GAD antibodies around 1700. C peptide was ok. I have only had one telephone consultation with the hospital diabetologist in May due to lockdown and a previous cancellation in March. She said as hba1c was 45mmol in Dec and March I don’t need insulin yet. She told me to raise the level of carbs I eat to 50g a day. Have done this, but gained a few pounds. I keep a constant check on blood sugars.

hey Millie! I was diagnosed with LADA on Jan 2019 as well (previously misdiagnosed as a type 2 as well!) . Any ideas on what to eat to keep sugars low? I am very reluctant to go on insulin and want to be kept on tablets as long as possibly (doctors say it’s unlikely I’ll evade insulin for my whole life, so I see no reason to not try to delay it while I can!) have been eating salads and very little carbs and been going for long walks and this has taken my sugars down significantly over the last three days... would be good to get ideas on what exercise or meals are best though!
 
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Millie74

Well-Known Member
Messages
217
hey Millie! I was diagnosed with LADA on Jan 2019 as well (previously misdiagnosed as a type 2 as well!) . Any ideas on what to eat to keep sugars low? I am very reluctant to go on insulin and want to be kept on tablets as long as possibly (doctors say it’s unlikely I’ll evade insulin for my whole life, so I see no reason to not try to delay it while I can!) have been eating salads and very little carbs and been going for long walks and this has taken my sugars down significantly over the last three days... would be good to get ideas on what exercise or meals are best though!
Hi. I spent hours researching low carb diets and keto and asked for a meter to try and reverse Type 2. As it isn’t Type 2 I didn’t reverse it, but got it down to 45 mmol. I accept as insulin production levels fail, which will be shown up on c peptide this will become increasingly difficult. Like you, would rather stay off insulin for now. Was on insulin in bith my pregnancies 14 years ago, so know what it’s like. Can be challenging at times with hypos. I have omelettes or bacon, egg amd half an avocado at breakfast. My levels are generally 7/8 on this. Breakfast is the most challenging one. If I ate porridge or bran flakes or fruit and yoghurt I would get 13/14, so never eat them now. For lunch I have tuna or chicken salad. An avocado might feature at lunch too. I also found Livlife bread in Waitrose. Doesn’t raise sugar levels much at 3.8g carbs. For dinner I’ll have curry, chilli, stir fry. Don’t have rice, pasta or potatoes. I just worked out what I could get away with for now.

I teach dance for a living, but haven’t since lockdown, do has been hard. I have found resistance training gets my levels down with weights, resistance bands or kettle bells. I enjoy Zumba, Hitt, but sometimes levels rise with this. Not sure why. It’s all very frustrating. I am forever trying. I get confused about the going on insulin asap advice to preserve beta cells and it worries me a little. I don’t fully understand it. I was told not to go under 50g carbs as it could cause Ketoacidosis. Again, not sure why. Have gained a few pounds in lockdown even trying hard, but have PCOS and recently came off combined pill, so know weight can be a problem with hormones and PCOS. What do you eat for breakfast? Also what do your fasting sugars tend to be? Mine are between 6-8. Nice to chat to someone in a similar position. The consultant said if my hba1c goes up to 55mmol then I’ll need insulin. Not keen. Although I know there will have been advances since I had gestational diabetes 14 years ago with my first son.

Best of luck. Keep in touch.
 

LADA23

Newbie
Messages
4
Hi. I spent hours researching low carb diets and keto and asked for a meter to try and reverse Type 2. As it isn’t Type 2 I didn’t reverse it, but got it down to 45 mmol. I accept as insulin production levels fail, which will be shown up on c peptide this will become increasingly difficult. Like you, would rather stay off insulin for now. Was on insulin in bith my pregnancies 14 years ago, so know what it’s like. Can be challenging at times with hypos. I have omelettes or bacon, egg amd half an avocado at breakfast. My levels are generally 7/8 on this. Breakfast is the most challenging one. If I ate porridge or bran flakes or fruit and yoghurt I would get 13/14, so never eat them now. For lunch I have tuna or chicken salad. An avocado might feature at lunch too. I also found Livlife bread in Waitrose. Doesn’t raise sugar levels much at 3.8g carbs. For dinner I’ll have curry, chilli, stir fry. Don’t have rice, pasta or potatoes. I just worked out what I could get away with for now.

I teach dance for a living, but haven’t since lockdown, do has been hard. I have found resistance training gets my levels down with weights, resistance bands or kettle bells. I enjoy Zumba, Hitt, but sometimes levels rise with this. Not sure why. It’s all very frustrating. I am forever trying. I get confused about the going on insulin asap advice to preserve beta cells and it worries me a little. I don’t fully understand it. I was told not to go under 50g carbs as it could cause Ketoacidosis. Again, not sure why. Have gained a few pounds in lockdown even trying hard, but have PCOS and recently came off combined pill, so know weight can be a problem with hormones and PCOS. What do you eat for breakfast? Also what do your fasting sugars tend to be? Mine are between 6-8. Nice to chat to someone in a similar position. The consultant said if my hba1c goes up to 55mmol then I’ll need insulin. Not keen. Although I know there will have been advances since I had gestational diabetes 14 years ago with my first son.

Best of luck. Keep in touch.
Hi Millie, thanks so much for responding! Has given me a lot of clarity with regards to food. My sugars have been pretty bad for more or less a year, and especially during lockdown - but it’s all down to my diet as I was eating terribly and turning a blind eye by not checking for weeks on end. But since I had a shock after seeing a reading of 24 a couple of days ago, I’ve vowed to get out of my denial stage and take it seriously. I have been eating pretty healthy and as the days have gone (around 4 days now) my sugars have gotten lower each day. So for example, on Sunday 14/06, I had a chicken salad with cucumber and tomato and two hours later it was 17.7. My fasting sugar that morning was 9. But today, my fasting was 7.4 and after eating breakfast of low sugar granola with yoghurt and four raspberries it was 5.2 after 2.5hrs. Had a subway salad for lunch today with light mayo, garlic aoili and southwest and after 1.5hrs it was 6.3. This is telling me I do have enough insulin production atm and my high readings were purely down to my diet. I have also been doing ten min cardio running after every meal, so 30mins daily in total. Have to admit this takes my sugars down quickly than going on a one hour walk (which is what I used to do and did not take it down as much!). I did give in and have a peach with my dinner, which took up my sugars to 10.8 after 2hrs (even with 10min cardio running after). Though the exercise is working, I am getting frustrated at having to take three showers daily to get rid off sweat, so I’ll try your recommendation of doing muscle work outs instead and see if it has a similar effect. Let me know how your readings progress or any other exercise recommendations !
 
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LADA23

Newbie
Messages
4
Hi. I spent hours researching low carb diets and keto and asked for a meter to try and reverse Type 2. As it isn’t Type 2 I didn’t reverse it, but got it down to 45 mmol. I accept as insulin production levels fail, which will be shown up on c peptide this will become increasingly difficult. Like you, would rather stay off insulin for now. Was on insulin in bith my pregnancies 14 years ago, so know what it’s like. Can be challenging at times with hypos. I have omelettes or bacon, egg amd half an avocado at breakfast. My levels are generally 7/8 on this. Breakfast is the most challenging one. If I ate porridge or bran flakes or fruit and yoghurt I would get 13/14, so never eat them now. For lunch I have tuna or chicken salad. An avocado might feature at lunch too. I also found Livlife bread in Waitrose. Doesn’t raise sugar levels much at 3.8g carbs. For dinner I’ll have curry, chilli, stir fry. Don’t have rice, pasta or potatoes. I just worked out what I could get away with for now.

I teach dance for a living, but haven’t since lockdown, do has been hard. I have found resistance training gets my levels down with weights, resistance bands or kettle bells. I enjoy Zumba, Hitt, but sometimes levels rise with this. Not sure why. It’s all very frustrating. I am forever trying. I get confused about the going on insulin asap advice to preserve beta cells and it worries me a little. I don’t fully understand it. I was told not to go under 50g carbs as it could cause Ketoacidosis. Again, not sure why. Have gained a few pounds in lockdown even trying hard, but have PCOS and recently came off combined pill, so know weight can be a problem with hormones and PCOS. What do you eat for breakfast? Also what do your fasting sugars tend to be? Mine are between 6-8. Nice to chat to someone in a similar position. The consultant said if my hba1c goes up to 55mmol then I’ll need insulin. Not keen. Although I know there will have been advances since I had gestational diabetes 14 years ago with my first son.

Best of luck. Keep in touch.
Also, not sure why you would go into ketoaccidosis if sugars are less than 50g? I am trying to eat around 40-50g only which I think is ideal for now (hoping to get lower as time goes on). My previous hba1c was 72, but I’m still on metformin and sitagliptin (of course, that was because of my unhealthy diet but yours seems pretty healthy so I can see why your doctor would be worried about it getting higher). I ate weetabix for first two day’s but sugars went to 13 so I bought granola with yogurt which was fine with the exercise (though I have to admit I am not a fan of the yoghurt and am tempted to put in sweetener!). I’ve also had avocado toast with egg (whole grain) which had me at 9.2 after 2.5hrs. So I think I’ll stick with the granola since it keeps my sugars down and have the bread on occasion or weekends!
 
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