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25 years old, 8 Stone & Type 2 Diabetes

C

Chughes94

Member
Messages
6
Hi all,
I’m new to this forum so apologies if there’s already loads of content on this topic and I’ve just missed it.
I was diagnosed last year with Type 2 diabetes, I went to the GP thinking I had an iron deficiency because I was always tired and lethargic and getting minor things wrong with me all the time. Turns out the issue was my blood sugar (although, I currently am on iron supplements due to low iron and apparently low immune system according to my GP)

So a bit of context; I’m 25 years old, I’m 8 stone (was 8 stone 9lbs when diagnosed) fairly active and have been vegetarian for the last 5 years and always ate relatively healthily (always wholemeal bread/pasta/rice, lots of grains beans fruits & veg) I had a fairly active job (around 20k steps a day) but otherwise didn’t do much exercise. Since diagnosis I have taken up a fitness class every Thursday, walk 30 minutes every lunch and try to fit in a run/yoga/ aerobics etc whenever I can, I have stopped eating pasta, rice, quinoa etc and very rarely have bread or other processed carbs, I even gave up starchy vegetables and high sugar fruits (mangos, bananas etc) as well as obviously cutting out refined sugars and sugary snacks - the carb restriction only started in the new year but I cut out sugar as soon as I was diagnosed. Since New year (when I started being stricter with myself) I have lost 9lbs and then gained 3lbs which I put down to the muscle I’ve developed from my fitness class. When diagnosed my HBa1c was at 50, when I was tested again 6 months later it was still at 50. I was referred to Right Start which is a Type 2 Diabetes education class where the diabetes specialist and dietician got in contact with my GP to say they think I was wrongly diagnosed and actually have Type 1 Diabetes. The GP agreed and gave me a GAD (I think) test. The results came back normal so it was concluded I have type 2. My mother was also diagnosed at 45 with type 2, she is slightly overweight according to her BMI but is only a jean size 12 so nothing major.
I have read up briefly on TOFI diabetics, but could only find drips and drabs of information.
I constantly feel defeated because I feel like nothing I do ever seems to lower my blood sugar, I don’t test it often but when I do it is usually in the 7 - 9 mmol range (fasting or 2 hours after meals) I’m starting to think that the diabetes could be a symptom of a different problem, I’ve started experiencing Neuropathy in my arms and legs even though I’m doing everything I can to try to get into the Pre-diabetic range. I’ve expressed this to my Gp but because my sugars are in the manageable range she doesn’t seem too worried. Could it be PCOS? or something else? If anyone else is in a similar situation please let me know as I feel very lost and frustrated. Also if you’ve read through all of this thank you - I know it was a lot haha!
 
Getting type 2 can be thought of as running out of available fat storage. This doesn't always mean actually becoming fat. Very few humans are able to get infinitely fat without ever becoming diabetic. We all have our own personal threshold. For some, including me, that is not very fat at all. In fact I have always found it almost impossible to put on any meaningful weight. TOFI become diabetic very easily, very quickly, because their liver runs out of places to store the glucose far sooner than if they were able to become obese.

I will stop short of offering any dietary opinions, as I'm a full-carnivore (polar opposite!). But there are many vegetarians and vegans on these boards who are successfully managing type 2. I'm sure some will be along to offer help.
 
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This makes a lot of sense, I always just tell myself I just have an extremely low glucose tolerance.
If you don't mind me asking; how did you reverse your Type 2? Was it diet alone or were you also on medication? Did you fast at all? I've been avoiding medication because everything I have read implies that it treats the symptoms rather than the disease and eventually makes it worse, and have been advised against fasting by my GP incase I lose anymore weight but have been considering trying it. Thank you for your reply!
 
I am also a TOFI diabetic, I was ten stone when I was diagnosed with an HbA1C of 108. It has taken me four years to get to an HbA1C of 47 and I am hoping to see another reduction after my latest test. I am now just under nine stone and have lost a whopping 5 inches off of my waist. It does take time for TOFIs to reduce blood glucose counts, as our blood glucose levels don't seem to respond as rapidly to weight loss. This is partly due to the fact that middle fat is often "active", producing it's own hormones and seems to interfere with the communication between the liver and the pancreas. You might find that a very low carb diet will suit you best. I try for a maximum of 30g of carbs a day. I suggest that you test much more regularly, as this is the only way of finding out how much carbohydrate you can tolerate. Exercise can also be a big help, I follow the regime from
""The FIRST Program: Fighting Insulin Resistance with Strength Training: Your Optimal Exercise Guide to Diabetes Prediabetes Metabolic Syndrome Cholesterol, a Science Based Approach
by William Shang M.D.

There is lots of information on this site about a low carb lifestyle and I am sure that others will be along to give you useful advice. It is hard being a TOFI, but you can control it. It just takes a bit longer to find out what you need to do in order to change your blood sugar levels.
 

I started out on Metformin and spent about a year negotiating with carbohydrate. Then I discovered paleo-keto. It took about a year of that before I had things properly under control and then I quit Metformin. Eventually I naturally progressed to fully-carnivorous eating, but obviously that wont be suitable for you!

I did do some fasting, but anything more than 48h wasn't easy due to my body wanting to hold onto what little fat I have, and not wanting to burn any off. Overcoming cataclysmic insulin resistance in this state this was monumentally difficult and required quite some commitment. Things are much more relaxed now, but I continue with my new-found way of eating because I much prefer the food and it means I'll hopefully never become diabetic again.

I'm now three years in and still improving everywhere.
 
Hello @Chughes94 ,

Sorry about the diagnosis. You'd think going vegetarian'd be healthy eh... But not with the amount of starches and fructose that go with it. Mind you, it is possible to go low carb AND vegetarian (or even vegan), but it's not easy. If you want to try it though, this forum has a whole section dedicated to a vegetarian/low carb lifestyle, and you can check for it over at dietdoctor.com too. It does complicate things and you'll not have a lot of options, but if it is a choice you want to make, you can.

I have PCOS. I have no way of knowing whether you have it. Have you had other symptoms besides insulin resistance? Extra hairy legs (I'm a gorilla), irregular, extremely heavy periods, (possible cause of the anemia, it was for me)... Mind you, having PCOS means you're more likely to develop T2, but once you change your diet adequately it shouldn't keep you from getting normal levels. PCOS is something they can check for with an ultrasound (I've waved to my cyst on the screen), and the hormonal imbalance should show up in bloodwork. It is something you want confirmed if you do have it, it helps to have everything on file. As for the aneamia, a low red blood cell count will skew your HbA1c, make it seem several points higher than it is, so odds are you're not doing as badly as you seem to be. Get your iron back up to par and ask to be re-tested after 3 months, see what that gets you.

https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html is my ow little quick-start guide, with everything I wish someone'd told me when I was first diagnosed. It is aimed at omnivores though, so do excuse the stuff that comes with a face.

One more thing: Diabetes usually comes with a bunch of other conditions. High blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.... Tackle the carbs, get your blood glucose down, and the rest'll follow suit. There's hope here.
Good luck!
Jo
 
Metabolism_Boss,
That's amazing! well done! It's so encouraging to hear from people in a similar situation. What you've said makes a lot of sense, I think if I track my carbs more carefully I can stay on top of them better, also I had a quick look at the book and it looks really good (and music to my ears as I quite enjoy resistance training and absolutely despise cardio haha! Thank you for the advise I really do appreciate it and its good to know that I shouldn't be expecting results overnight, thank you again!
 
JoKalsbeek,

I definitely think that being veggie had a big impact on it, but i've never really eaten meat my whole life just made it official more recently so it's probably an accumalation of a lifetime of carbs! I do suffer with very irregular and heavy periods so i'm starting to think this may be the case, but either way the solution seems to be the same but worth getting tested I think.
Your blog post is MASSIVELY helpful thank you! I've just printed it so I can keep it in mind, it's so nice to finally get some helpful advise, I thought posting this it would just end up on the floor of the internet somewhere unrecognised so thanks to everyone for their input! I really appreciate it <3
 
Thats so good to hear, bravo!! It's really good to hear how other people have overcome it and this has definitely given me some hope thank you so much!
 
GAD can be negative and still be type 1. There are other antibodies too that might cause it. A c peptide should have been done too to see if you are under or overproducing insulin.

25yrs old and not over weight seems like it’s worth checking further. Maybe ask for a referral as I like the DN am suspicious.
 
It's really frustrating that you are telling me this and my GP didn't; thank you! Sorry if this is a stupid question but referral to what? I'm so clueless in all of this and would like to be able to go back to my GP knowing exactly what's worth looking into.
Thank you again!
 
Happy to help. And mind you, GP's are usually not quite up to date on diabetes. There's more than the 2 most common types, which is news to a lot of them, and they rarely know about the latest research. You'll have to learn a lot and know exactly what to ask for, because sometimes they don't know what the relevant tests are. A referral to an endo for the diabetes and possibly a gyno for the suspected PCOS may be in order. Just to be thorough.
 
Referral to a diabetes specialist who can do the full battery of tests.
 

Hi @Chughes94,

Brilliant mindset, it's great to see how proactive and positive you are. Also wonderful advice from all of the posters above.

I wonder if they have looked into MODY (maturity-onset diabetes of the young) diabetes. Seems a possibility with relatively young age of onset and low weight as well as your mother being diagnosed at a relatively young age.

Here is the link to a calculator, which will give you the likelihood that you might be MODY: https://www.diabetesgenes.org/mody-probability-calculator/. If the probability is high and you get a referral to a diabetes specialist, you might want to mention it. (Have to admit, I just entered your data and guessed at a BMI of 20, and yes your probability of being MODY is really quite high.)

Jenny Ruhl also has a lot of information on MODY as she has been diagnosed with it herself. Just google Bloodsugar 101 to get to her website. It is really one of the best sites out there, regardless of type.
 
Hi. I agree with HSS that your team should also have done a C-Peptide test which measures your insulin production level. The GAD test can't be relied upon if negative as there are other causes of pancreatic deficiency than GAD antibodies.
 

I'm 55 and have been diagnosed with T2D a year ago. I immediately started a low carb diet against the wish of my physician. Within three months I lowered my hba1c from 8.2 % (66.1 ) to 6.2 % (44.3) , now it's around 5.8 % (39.9). My lipid profile looks good with lower triglycerides & LDL-C and higher HDL-C. My blood pressure is somewhere between 120/80 and 110/70. I needn't say I lost 11 kg (from 74 kg to 63 kg). The take-home message: don't give up, the process of resetting your metabolism takes time. I retrieved control of my blood glucose and improved my metabolic markers through a low carb diet. Initially, I eat lots of veggies and some fruit; I obliterated refined sugar from my diet. Six months into my life style change, I reverted to LCHF (Low Carb High Fat). It did wonders to my system. I am not recommending a strict Keto diet; but I emphasize a low carb one: be it vegetarian, carnivorous, or other. It's your choice, and it depends on how your body reacts to macro-nutrients that make up your diet. Our bodies behave differently. Regular exercise is a must. Good luck. I have my comment is of some help. I deliberately shared my labs to give you an idea of what I did. If I did it, why can't you.
 
N.B. I refused to be put on any form of medication.
 

Like all the others, I think you should get a c-peptide test. Your GP seems fairly clueless, as most would have checked T1 at first presentation, given your age and weight. And kudos to @ziggy_w for suggesting the MODY possibility, which most GPs haven't even heard of.

Good luck.
 
An Endocrinologist - they are as rare as hens' teeth here in Indo but you should have better luck in the UK but not too young - your case needs REAL experience
 
I haven't read all the replies but I was diagnosed last April as Type 2 confirmed after lots of checks though twice your age. I am also veggie for 30 years. I took up running and light weights got myself up to half marathon. Also cut out all sweetened things pasta rice & bread (except occasional lidl rye bread) but have high fibre carb sources in modest amounts aiming for 100g a day such as porridge oats (weighed portion) small amounts potato and root veg. I do eat lots raw carrot with hummus and avocado and creme fraiche and my 'naughty' snacks are salted nuts and yummy cheeses and clotted cream the kind of stuff I used to think was bad for me. So I get daily calories from nuts eggs veg fruit and dairy. Eggs, stirfry and cheese are essential for me and my cholesterol ratio is fine to good. I can now eat more fruit again even half banana bit of mango as long as paired with something like an oatcake or wheat bix. I was brave enough to see if alcohol was OK and a small glass red wine helps my sugar once a week max. Apple cider vinegar diluted drink also drops sugar. I have lost 2 stone (now 56kg about 8st 10)) back to size 10 and HbA1C well down normal range - was 105 last year now 30. I have a sedentary day job. Don't sit more than 30mins though!! HARD exercise like weight training or running or cycling will hopefully change your insulin resistance. Diet needs to be very strict and close to full ketogenic to begin with. Meter testing can be helpful last thing at night and first thing in morning every so often to see how you are reducing/managing blood glucose overnight but otherwise full bloods are more important. I also have a bit of nerve damage that's how I was diagnosed but it's OK and doesn't affect exercise. I ALWAYS exercise after eating eg walk dog or light weights or press ups etc. Will power to form strict habits might just shift it. Very best of luck. Sounds like you are doing the right things but need to push your exercise harder for a while and eat oils nuts and seeds to compensate.
 
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