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Anti GAD antibodies????

M

mccarthycd

Newbie
Messages
2
Hi

Hoping someone can help me out. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with suspect late onset type 1 diabetes. I was told that after a 6 month honeymoon period I would be on insulin. Two years later and I am still taking tablets with relatively good HBA1c's (5.9, 6.2... 7.2 (most recent and after some illnesses and resultant poor control).

I was then told I could have MODY. However after testing for this I do not have any of the known genetic forms of MODY.

Then this was then ruled out due to the presence of anti GAD antibodies which, I am told, pointed towards LADA.

Just got my anti GAD levels rechecked and now they are negative! Am getting them redone just to make sure it wasn't an error.

Has anyone any idea of what type I may have? Have changed consultants a number of times and they don't seem to like being asked questions about their diagnosis... particularly when their prognosis fails to come through. The latest one put me on sulfonylureas (diamicron) even though the last time I was on it I got hypos. My HAB1c went from 6.2 to 7.2 (but I was sick on and off quite a bit which I think accounts for this). I have read that sulfonylureas can speed up insulin dependence and that really I should be on a mixture of tablets and insulin to preserve natural insulin production.

Any comments greatly appreciated! Sorry if the above doesn't make sense...

Thanks
 
Sorry your post has been overlooked. Not a very good start for a new member.

I am bumping it up in the hope that someone will answer.
 
Hiya there!

Sorry I don't know what type of diabetes you have - I know how frustrating it is as I also have 'diabetes, type unknown'.

What I was told at my last hospital appointment is that the GAD antibodies can come and go, so some tests might show positive and others negative. So if you show positive, that's a firm diagnoses of LADA which will lead to insulin dependance within four or so years. If it shows negative, that does not rule LADA out. Therefore, having had one positive test and one negative indicates that you are LADA.

I also had a bad experience on Sulphonylureas (Gliclazide) and really don't think they should prescribe those for LADA (although they frequently do). They are supposed to be very effective for some forms of MODY, but there is strong suspicion they can cause progress of LADA to be quicker.

Your HBA1Cs are on the rise. This also indicates LADA. However, the HBA1C only tells part of the story in LADA. What are your post-meal readings like? I can have a very good HBA1C by controlling carbs, but my post-meal readings without insulin are terrible - in double figures with only about 10g carb. They suspect I am LADA, as Type 2s tend to have lower post-meal spikes, and 10g carb probably wouldn't spike a Type 2 very much at all.

You could ask for a fasting insulin test. That would determine if you have higher than normal levels of insulin in your blood, which would determine if you are Type 2 or not. I have been refused this test as I am taking insulin and they can't differentiate between natural insulin and injected insulin, so the test wouldn't work for me now, but a possibility for you?

Anyway, keep up the good work of controlling it while you fight to find out what it is.

Smidge
 
Hi Smidge

Thanks a million for that. I kinda agree with the LADA diagnosis which makes the consultant prescribing Diamicron even more infuriating! Think you are in the wrong job (if not a consultant) as its always the patients who give a better more rounded opinion so thanks again...

Oh and Catherinecherub thanks for bumping it up…

Am in Ireland and to be honest not much in the way of this type of forum that I have found so appreciate the advice and support…
 
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