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30yo newly diagnosed type1. Hi!

G

gavin86

Well-Known Member
Messages
194
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi everyone.
Newly type 1 as of about 2 weeks ago. Triggered at 30 years old. Current best explanation is that it's due to extreme body stress from severe medical issues I had.

Had just gotten out of hospital, where I'd been in ICU and close to not making it for the first day or two. Parathyroid had stopped working. Kidneys were struggling. Had a third as much haemoglobin as I'm supposed to. All function came back fortunately. Won't go into the details as it'd take all day.

They'd tested my BGL's at that point, daily - (they were just testing everything) and all was completely normal for about 2 weeks. Just before I got released I had a reading of 12.0, but nobody was concerned.

2 days later I had a blood test - BGL 17. "OK maybe we check again in a couple days..."
Next day, I get to skip the waiting room in ED as my BGL is 43! I felt great - but my feeling was mainly due to all the fixing of other things that had just happened. I was in hospital for another couple weeks - not usual for diabetes, but because all the complexities from before made me of medical interest... the number of med student interviews I did I think I deserve a medal

My endocrinologist also wonders if perhaps I had been walking around in the early stages of diabetes for the past year/6 months - it's impossible to tell though because I had 6 units of red blood cell transfusion, which messes up the hba1c results. Also some of my other issues had similar side effects (polyuria, dry mouth/drinking lots of water)

Anyway, I'm a friendly guy, from Sydney, Australia. I work in IT.

When I'm not developing medical conditions - I play video games, have a few drinks and a laugh, nerd out to science & philosophy, and listen to music.

I don't know any diabetics - but I'm fascinated by the technicalities of diabetes. Looking for a place to learn, swap experiences.
 
Hi @gavin86 welcome.
I was 42 when diagnosed.
This is a great place for tips and support.
 
welcome here gavin86

this is a great place to be for information and supports, and there are also other nerds in here which is so inspirering people who really have knowledge that is formidable.. so stay in here

I´ll tag @daisy1 so you also will get the very valuable information everyone new in here gets
 
Welcome to the forum @gavin86!

gavin86 said:
I don't know any diabetics - but I'm fascinated by the technicalities of diabetes. Looking for a place to learn, swap experiences.
Click to expand...
You have come to the right place to learn and swap experiences. I'm Type 2 but there are a lot of T1s on here who will be able to help you with advice.
Ask any questions you want to, the people on here are friendly and supportive.
 
gavin86 said:
Hi everyone.
Newly type 1 as of about 2 weeks ago. Triggered at 30 years old. Current best explanation is that it's due to extreme body stress from severe medical issues I had.

Had just gotten out of hospital, where I'd been in ICU and close to not making it for the first day or two. Parathyroid had stopped working. Kidneys were struggling. Had a third as much haemoglobin as I'm supposed to. All function came back fortunately. Won't go into the details as it'd take all day.

They'd tested my BGL's at that point, daily - (they were just testing everything) and all was completely normal for about 2 weeks. Just before I got released I had a reading of 12.0, but nobody was concerned.

2 days later I had a blood test - BGL 17. "OK maybe we check again in a couple days..."
Next day, I get to skip the waiting room in ED as my BGL is 43! I felt great - but my feeling was mainly due to all the fixing of other things that had just happened. I was in hospital for another couple weeks - not usual for diabetes, but because all the complexities from before made me of medical interest... the number of med student interviews I did I think I deserve a medal

My endocrinologist also wonders if perhaps I had been walking around in the early stages of diabetes for the past year/6 months - it's impossible to tell though because I had 6 units of red blood cell transfusion, which messes up the hba1c results. Also some of my other issues had similar side effects (polyuria, dry mouth/drinking lots of water)

Anyway, I'm a friendly guy, from Sydney, Australia. I work in IT.

When I'm not developing medical conditions - I play video games, have a few drinks and a laugh, nerd out to science & philosophy, and listen to music.

I don't know any diabetics - but I'm fascinated by the technicalities of diabetes. Looking for a place to learn, swap experiences.
Click to expand...
That's quite a story. Congratulations on your survival. Welcome to the forum, any information you need, you can find it here.
 
Hi There @gavin86
welcome to the forum !! :)

my best tip is ---- Be Kind To Yourself"

this D lasts a hell of a long time so take things slow and remember you can only learn and gain experience of living with D in real time !!
 
@gavin86

Hello Gavin and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information, mentioned above, which we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to help, as you will have already seen.


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 free 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. They're all 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.
 
Hey guys, thanks. Yes, experience is king. I've learnt so much since leaving hospital.. and only had 1 unexpected low (stayed above 2, believe it was due to muscles being sore fron rebuilding overnight - which happens easily after 5 weeks mostly bedridden)

My biggest issue is actually a family one - would be keen to hear from anyone who's dealt with similar!
My dad looks at me with this sad state, like my life will be terrible now. He's a rationalist and will defend science to the death, but can't see the management/technology side of this one. It's depressing. He keeps asking me "how sick I am today". I live with him.
The worst though is my mum. She lives in another town. She rings approx 8 times a day and texts 20+ (actual numbers).
She's terrified that I'll have an acute hypo. So much so that she tries to tell me "a study recommends you keep your bgl above X". I ask to see the study but never do. X has gradually gone from 6 to 12 as she works herself into a panic. (she has generalized anxiety disorder about the best things in life. This is pushing her towards panic attack/nervous breakdown territory). She will not listen to reason, all I can do is nod and say "OK". Even if I take her to a doc/specialist - she comes out saying they're dangerous and no good..
I'm not looking for solutions. I'm resigned to them just being like this.
But does it end one day?
How long?
What will happen when I have better control and am 4-8 rather than 4-15?
 
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