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Confused about types

J

JoHarrington

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello, I'm new to this forum so please excuse me if I go off track a bit.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2001 aged 28. I was put straight on insulin. At one point I was on over 450 units a day and still had sugars in double figures. I managed to lose 9 stone (from my largest, wasn't that large when diagnosed). I'm now taking 1.2 victoza, 30 units of lantus and novorapid when needed (usually around 15 units a day). I've sort of got my sugar levels within normal range. I was in denial for about 12 years!
Now what I'm confused with is at my last appointment a couple of months ago I saw a different Dr. He said looking at my notes he thinks I'm type 1. Now does it actually make a difference what they call you as surely management is the same? Is there any actual way of knowing? Do I need to know?
Sorry about the long post and thanks if you've stayed with me this far!
 
Diabetes comes in many shades, but basically it's the bodies inability to either produce or use insulin effectively so as to maintain a controlled level of blood/glucose and give energy to the body's living cells.
When things don't go as planned and blood/glucose levels rise uncontrollable it can be the result of many things, ranging from a simple hormone imbalance to failure of the pancreas (the organ that produces and controls Insulin production)
Diabetes is usually classified as Type 1 or as Type 2, but there are a great number of other types notably Gestational diabetes and LADA types.
There has traditionally been a medical reason for each type and appropriate medications are prescribed according to each type (some Type 2 control their diabetes by diet alone) and in some instances an individual may be classified as having more than one type of diabetes, such as would be the classification of diabetes type 1.5 (commonly referred to as double diabetes). There is even a type of diabetes known as 'Brittle Diabetes' and also a Type 3 (Brain related diabetes) .In fact there are dozens of types of diabetes classifications other than the popular Type 1 and Type 2.
There are even a number of very specific types of diabetes that aren't common here in the UK as would be the case of 'Tropical Diabetes'
Your doctor should be able to confirm what specific type of diabetes you have. A simple blood test can confirm if you have a specific anti-bodys present within you blood which would resolve the issue as to whether you are actually a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic (many Type 2's need supplements of Insulin by injection if their diabetes is proving difficult to control by the usual medications) and technically they are classified then as Type 1B diabetes.
It's always nice to know what type of diabetes you actually have as this will help in making decisions in the future as to how best to control and master it.
Hope this answers your question, please feel free to ask if you need further advice - Good Luck
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi. Usually anyone at age 28 would be probably be a Late onset T1 (LADA) but as you had a lot of excess weight it is more likely to be T2 (or both!). Once your weight is in the good range it will be easier to determine if you are in fact a LADA. The blood tests mentioned by the earlier poster will help.
 
Thank you for your replies. I wasn't large when diagnosed, that came with three horrendous pregnancies after! I've been good healthy weight for last 7 years now so I'm going to ask for the blood tests at my next clinic appointment.
Many thanks
 
Jo
Your story almost seems identical to mine - My family had a history of diabetes on my fathers side (unfortunately most died before we really know about diabetes as they had heart problems) However the upshot being I have been told that there is a genetic link in some families that some people are especially intolerant to insulin (both their own and manufactured) it seems once the diagnosis is made and we have lots of insulin etc weight gain and loss etc this is a trigger that sets the intolerance off and once it starts it takes forever to go down.
I was drawn here from your post about your consultant stating you have Barriatric surgery - GET A SECOND OPINION do not I repeat do not let this happen to you. Barriatric surgery is there for one of two things a) to help with weight loss - which as you state you are only a size 12 is not necessary or B) as an appetite suppressant - But I notice you are also on Vitoriaz which is in itself a suppressant. If you are maintaining a health weight then you should be being supported and praised for that not told your BMI is wrong and you need surgery. Any survey for a diabetic is like playing Russian roulette and put you at risk of going back to square one.

If the consultant you are talking about was the one for gallstones then don't listen to him - he is obviously no expert on diabetes and in fact knows nothing about the disease as he states you will not be on insulin and no longer a diabetic, i am sorry to break this to you but you will always be a diabetic insulin or not, It is a condition you are born with it can be managed and yes you may at some point be able to stop taking insulin but you will still be a diabetic

Some insulins and peptide injections force the pancreas in Type 2's to produce more of the rubbish insulin, making it work harder and the thought is that this can eventually force the pancreas to stop producing insulin which technically makes them a type 1 - this is why there is a general thinking that there shouldn't be different types just Diabetics - I type 1 that don't take insulin.

You stick to your guns and get your consultants and medical teams to talk to each other - you have done brilliantly to maintain a healthy weight
 
Lazybones said:
Diabetes comes in many shades, but basically it's the bodies inability to either produce or use insulin effectively so as to maintain a controlled level of blood/glucose and give energy to the body's living cells.
When things don't go as planned and blood/glucose levels rise uncontrollable it can be the result of many things, ranging from a simple hormone imbalance to failure of the pancreas (the organ that produces and controls Insulin production)
Diabetes is usually classified as Type 1 or as Type 2, but there are a great number of other types notably Gestational diabetes and LADA types.
There has traditionally been a medical reason for each type and appropriate medications are prescribed according to each type (some Type 2 control their diabetes by diet alone) and in some instances an individual may be classified as having more than one type of diabetes, such as would be the classification of diabetes type 1.5 (commonly referred to as double diabetes). There is even a type of diabetes known as 'Brittle Diabetes' and also a Type 3 (Brain related diabetes) .In fact there are dozens of types of diabetes classifications other than the popular Type 1 and Type 2.
There are even a number of very specific types of diabetes that aren't common here in the UK as would be the case of 'Tropical Diabetes'
Your doctor should be able to confirm what specific type of diabetes you have. A simple blood test can confirm if you have a specific anti-bodys present within you blood which would resolve the issue as to whether you are actually a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic (many Type 2's need supplements of Insulin by injection if their diabetes is proving difficult to control by the usual medications) and technically they are classified then as Type 1B diabetes.
It's always nice to know what type of diabetes you actually have as this will help in making decisions in the future as to how best to control and master it.
Hope this answers your question, please feel free to ask if you need further advice - Good Luck
Click to expand...
You forgot us Hypoglycaemiacs!:(;)
 
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