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Another LADA joining the gang.

I have a problem with the --peptide test. The doctor that I saw says it has to be frozen for sending to Glasgow - and that has to be done by the lab in our Stornoway hospital, so I have to take the blood sample to the hospital straight away and ask them to deal with it. I din't think it would be a problem but my son was pointing out that the lab at the Western Isles Hospital is a long way from the entrance, and I can't walk any distance. I was only thinking of driving up to the door, which is no problem but I wasn't considering the walk to wherever the lab is - knowing my luck about half a mile away - the corridors in the WI Hospital are ridiculously long and the porters few and far between. The last time I had to ask for a porter to push my wheelchair, he moaned the whole way about how busy and put upon he was.

I'll have to phone the hospital and find out where the lab is. If it's too far, I'll have to ask around to see if anyone can take me and push my chair for me. Actually, these days I can actually propel my chair myself, but I can't lift it in and out of the car. I do also have a "rollator" which would be allright, but I can't lift it in or out of the car either. Weakling!

I would hate to think I couldn't have the test done, just because I can't walk to the lab.
 

Can you get your blood tests done at the hospital? We have the choice over here to have it done at the hospital (in the lab by the front door) or at the doctor's office, mine at least. Then they courier the blood to the hospital lab every day.

I volunteer at my local hospital at the Information Desk which is right at the front door and the lab is to the left of the desk. Our hospital has been added to a lot and our corridors make it feel like a huge airport, especially when we wheel a person to X-ray or the ER or to a unit to visit someone. That's part of our 'job'. I sometimes say to folks that the ER is at the other end of the airport because it's a long walk. And, for those with no wheelchair there are wheelchairs right inside the doors that we use for them. Why would the guy be a porter if he complains about it? Boggles my mind. Would your son or someone else be able to take the sample to the lab while you wait? It would be a shame to not be able to get the test done.

I'm still waiting for the results of my test to come back. My blood had to be shipped off Island so it takes a couple of months or more to get the results. I'm anxious to get the call that they are back.

Hopefully you can figure out a way to get this done.
 
Ignore the moaning, maybe he just had to vent for a busy day. But it is his job for something that’s needed. The next person might be very friendly!

It sounded like Lynnzhealth had some good ideas. I’m in the states and they have couriers that pick up when needed wherever I’ve lived.
 

Yes, same here in Canada.
 
According to the doctor - I have to get the sample to the hospital lab as quickly as possible - they can't spare anyone to do it for me. I will find someone, so it will be allright. First I need to find out where the lab is, then we'll see. My No 2 son will be working, so he can't. No 1 son may be able to do it, or my daughter-in-law. One of them will just have to do me a favour. It's time for calling them in now that I am less able than I used to be.
 

Sounds like you have a plan. That's good. I'm sure No 1 son or your daughter-in-law will step up. They know you need this. Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.
 
Had my blood test this morning c-peptide and my lovely son not only drove me to the appointment but took the blood sample to the hospital lab (nowhere near the door and one floor down into the basement) and then took me to do some shopping. I'm told it could take up to a month to get the result. That's one step forward anyway.
 

High 5 to your son for being so helpful and for taking you shopping. I'm glad you got that done and now the wait. I'm still waiting for my results to come in and it's been about 1 1/2 months. Then again, I don't know where they sent them to off Island. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
I had posted earlier about my DKA episode back in May. I had an appt with the Specialist yesterday. I was diagnosed T2 in March 2017, but went into DKA in May 2019. I was in hospital for 4.5 days and was very sick according to the nurses/doctors. I knew nothing about DKA. The doctors sent bloodwork off Island to check the antibodies and whatever else so they could give me a correct diagnosis. I had my appt yesterday with the Specialist and he confirmed T1. He said in his 30 years he has had a few younger people do this, however I was the oldest so far. He said he has had three or four people since my episode come into the ER with DKA and they are in my age range, but a little younger. I'm 71. He is puzzled why this is happening now. I've been on insulin since my hospital stay and trying to cut back on bread/sweets. For the two previous years I was on low carb, healthy fat, lost 55 lbs, and my bloodwork results were excellent. He also confirmed this yesterday and said I look great. When I was in hospital I only got regular foods, like people without diabetes. Now, I'm having a very hard time going low carb again. I have put on 11 pounds, with most of it on my stomach and thighs. I know I have to be careful adjusting my insulin, but I'm thinking if I just stop eating bread (flours) and cookies (sugar) that will be an immense help. I find that eating those things really spikes my blood glucose. I need it to level off. He said a good range for me would be 5 - 7, because below 5 it can lower really quickly and that's not good because I live alone. He did say my A1C is coming back down to the good range again. So, now that I know it is actually T1, I can begin to work on putting things back in order with my 'bad' carbs and getting my BG back to where I had it before this incident.
 
The good news is you know! I’m glad you managed to get your blood work done okay! Once you get used to it, it will get easier. You can eat any way you want, you just have to dose for it. It is common to gain weight when starting insulin as you weren’t actually using all the food you ate before.

Always, always have a fast sugar available, hypos can happen even with great control. I find juice to be the fastest boost, but you also have to carry something with you when you are out and about.
A lot of people use glucotabs.
 


Yes, I'm glad I finally know. I do have a FreeStyle Libre monitor and sensor and I love it. I can keep track of my BG, because it falls so quickly. The hypos are weird. Today I had the same breakfast as I usually do, however, my BG was really low. I do carry the glucotabs and keep some at home. And, of course I have my Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bars on hand just in case. They work pretty quick. It's definitely different now that I have to carry supplies every time I go out somewhere. There is a lot of useful information on this forum that I need to read just to be sure I'm doing this correctly. Thanks for all your tips. Take care.
 
Just remember you still might be in the honeymoon phase, probably are actually because it lasts years. So it means you still make insulin and it can be erratic, more one day and then for a few days a lot less. Slowly your insulin needs probably will go up. But it would explain the difference in the same meals, but different levels.
 

Thanks for explaining that, Marie 2. I was wondering why it does that. I need to do some more reading, Dr. Bernstein's book for one, and this forum to set my mind at ease. Take care and have a great day. Everyone.
 
C-peptide is a specialist referral type 1 area, something GP's or hospital doctors, who treat type 2's don't prescribe. It's just out of their area of expertise.
 
I got the result from my C-peptide test today. It's in the normal range, so I am making insulin and apparently there's lots in my blood but it's not doing what it's supposed to. So I'm T2 after all and probably insulin resistant. At least that is clear and I know what I have to try and deal with.
 
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