Type 2 Can someone help me understand / prepare

[nikkidobbing28]

Can anyone help me understand.

When I was pregnant (2020)I was told I was diabetic and apparently my reading were that high they told me I was most likely type 1.

During the pregnancy I was given insulin and started to feel back to my old self. Energetic and happy. They tested me fully as it came back that I was not type 1 but type 2.

After I had the baby and was tested they told me I was no longer diabetic. My reading at my 8 week check up (15/09/20) HBA1c was 41 mmol. Super!

They kept me on metformin just incase and lo and behold my next appointment (11/7/21) was 51 mmol.

I was told to increase the dosage of metformin.

Next appointment (6/9/22) 63 mmol. I was given additional medication to take as well as metformin. (It begins with a J)

And now I’ve just had another appointment (17/1/23) my reading is 75 mmol.

I’ve been eating wellish obviously it’s just been Xmas. I’m an active 33f. 5ft 8 and weigh 11st 5lb (I put on 2lb since last appointment) I work 4 days a week in a job that requires physical work. I have 3 kids, 2 dogs and chickens. I’m on the go a lot. I’m not lazy!

Why are my HBA1C levels increasing if my weight is gone down in the last 2/3 years. I’ve never been grossly over weight but I was over 12 stone at some point.

Someone told me that NHS is reluctant to diagnose type 1 as insulin cost a lot to supply. I’m worried I am intact type 1 and I need insulin. I do feel tried and thirsty a lot. What if I’m doing a lot of damage to my body? Are these readings worrying? Is it very high? Mid way? Low end?

I have an appointment on Tuesday and I want to know what to say to the diabetic nurse as I do feel like I’m being fobbed off. I just want to feel better. I’m so tired all the time lately.

 

[Goonergal]

Someone told me that NHS is reluctant to diagnose type 1 as insulin cost a lot to supply. I’m worried I am intact type 1 and I need insulin. I do feel tried and thirsty a lot.

I don’t think that’s true. A type 1 can’t exist without insulin and there’s no benefit to anyone in a wrong diagnosis. Feeling tired and thirsty are symptoms of high blood sugar whether type 1 or type 2.

Why are my HBA1C levels increasing if my weight is gone down in the last 2/3 years

- Have you lost lots of weight, or just a bit? If the former, and you weren’t trying to lose weight that would be a case for asking to be tested for type 1. If the latter, a small weight loss alone is unlikely to reduce your HbA1c
- What are you eating? Metformin alone won’t do a lot to reduce blood sugar levels unless you also reduce the carbohydrates in your diet. Jardiance (I’m assuming that’s the second med) works by forcing your body to pee out glucose in your urine. As it was only recently prescribe, you may not have seen the full effects of it yet, or it may not suit you.

Are these readings worrying? Is it very high? Mid way? Low end?

An HbA1c of 75 is high, but not off the chart - see attached - and many on here with type 2 have started at or above that level and achieved remission.

I think its worth a conversation with your nurse - testing to see whether you have type 1 can’t harm and may help to put your mind at rest.

 

[HSSS]

During the pregnancy I was given insulin and started to feel back to my old self. Energetic and happy. They tested me fully as it came back that I was not type 1 but type 2.

I’m a bit confused too. Yes type 2 can often follow gestational diabetes but there’s nothing to actually mean that in some cases it isn’t actually type 1 that’s happening instead and the timing a red herring of sorts.

Why did they originally say type 1 and what tests did they do to change that to type 2? If it was only an anti-gad and was negative that isn’t conclusive that it isn’t type 1 despite some drs misunderstanding this fact (a positive however is conclusive). Or was it a full antibody panel and a c peptide to see how much insulin you actually make? It’s also a fallacy that type 1 happens suddenly, particularly in adults. It can take several years whilst gradually responding less and less to type 2 medications. (Is the J for jardiance?). This slow onset is sometimes known as LADA or type 1.5

Whilst active and young is good what exactly does eating healthily mean? This is one possible explanation for a type 2 to rise slowly over time. For a type 2 the general recommendations are not helpful. Starchy carbs raise our levels so grains (whole, brown or otherwise) including breads, pasta and anything made with normal flour, rice, potatoes, most fruits as well as actual sugar are not our friends.