Antibody Test Results

[Gemstone]

hi there everyone,

I have just joined this forum after finding out I am diabetic this year. I was looking for some advice in regards to the antibody testing and the results.

I have just received my results from the antibody test and the letter from my consultant has said that one of these antibody tests was normal, the other anitbody test was borderline.

It then goes onto to say that if I had type 1, it would be likely that both antibody tests would be markedly elevated, which was not the case.

My question is, does this mean they are diagnosing me as a type 2? There is no mention of this in the letter.

I have an appointment to return to clinic in November however I am going on holiday to the states in October and would like to know for sure for travel insurance purposes.

A bit of background
27 years old, BMI 27, has gestational diabetes with 2.5 year old.
sister type 1 diabetic.
Currently on Metformin 500g twice daily, blood sugars usually in double figures but rarely above 15.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you

 

[miahara]

Hi @Gemstone and welcome! It's all very confusing at first and T1/T2 can be difficult to differentiate.
Now bear in mind that my observations come from a non-medic.
Your blood sugars in double figures, assuming you are measuring in mmol are pretty high and well above the NICE target levels for control of diabetes. Though a change in medication might perhaps help lower them.
The fact that your sister is T1, does add weight to the possibility of you being T1 as T1 does have a genetic link.in some cases.
I'd be tempted to push for an earlier appointment with your consultant or GP.

 

[Gemstone]

Hi @miahara and thanks for your reply. Yes, i have come to realise that this is all not as simple as I originally thought!
Yes I am measuring in mmol, they have asked me to get in touch if I am getting readings of 15mmol and above (they are usually 12-13).
Yes, I think there are a few factors which got my GP thinking that I should be seen by a consultant for bloods as he was leaning more towards type 1.

I guess my main thought was if I were type 2.. would I have any antibodys in my blood?

Thanks again for your advice

 

[miahara]

Here's a bit of grist to the mill for you.
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

 

[Crocodile]

What's your diet like ?

 

[Gemstone]

My diet is not too bad but I can definitely do with making some changes with my carb intake after reading info on this website. I have lost around 2 stone at the time of my diagnosis which made the GP think it may be type 1.

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Gemstone, I can understand why diagnosis is important but really the most important thing NOW at this point in time is surely how best to control your blood sugars. Yes you need the ponderously delayed announcement of the interpretation of your anti-body tests before you travel as well. So request the appointment with your reasons or maybe ask your GP to sort it out.
What is the point of letting you suffer the damage of higher than acceptable blood sugar without some plan to control them ?
Putting you off about contacting them unless the 'magic' 15 mmol/l mark is reached is nuts in my view, not as a medic, but from being a type 1 diabetic for 51 years. Is this how individual members of your health team would treat a relative of their's?
If you read the section on this website or @daisy, you will see what the upper range of say, BSLs 2 hours post-prandial (after meals) should be.
Why not demand treatment, get your health team off its collective back side to advise you.? By all means look at the diet sites on this website such as Low Carb diet and good on you for trying to do things for yourself like losing some weight.
At this stage you do not know how long your blood sugars have been above normal range, and it is the high BSLs which cause damage. Best Wishes on lighting the proverbial fireworks under the Health Team!!

 

[Daibell]

Hi. There is a problem with the strict definition of T1 i.e. that it is an auto-immune condition and will therefore have anti-bodies showing up. There are other reasons why the beta cells can fail with no normal antibodies showing and rather stupidly these conditions are excluded and dumped in the T2 category. Viruses can cause beta cell failure and I suspect that is why I have very low insulin but no GAD antibodies showing. NICE also says that the GAD test can be negative a few years after T1 diagnosis. The c-peptide test can help show whether your insulin is low. In practice if you need insulin it really doesn't matter what the diagnosis is. Your BMI is a bit on the high side but unexpected weight loss is a pointer to beta cell failure so I suggest you can either try Gliclazide or similar for a while to stimulate the pancreas or ask the consultant to start insulin