I was diagnosed a type 2 over 5 years ago then was changed to a type 1 so was on Insulin both Novarapid and levemir both high dosages also took metformin tablets on and off (they didn't agree with me when I took more than 2! Attended the clinic quite often each time they adjusted levels and messed about with medication even though I had great control! Had a baby 5 months ago had a fantastic pregnancy and for 2 months after having my little boy I was able to stop all med and injection as my bloods were so good! I returned to clinic they put me back on metformin which totally didn't agree with me and my bloods seemed to rise around the time I started back on it! I also started back on the contraceptive pill 8 weeks ago and my bloods are increased so much they are barely below 11 at the min. Spoke to nurse last week as levels are getting higher and I'm always tired hard to cope with a baby feeling this tired she has but me on levemir again. But my question is how can I go from not needed medication for 2 months to the complete opposite???? Anyone any ideas?
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Confused!!!!
- Thread starter Lielow
- Start Date
catapillar
Well-Known Member
So, there are a couple of issues:
1. What type of diabetes do you have?
This is actually a really tricky question. And one that is really difficult to answer. But it might be worth trying to seek some clarification on this because, if investigations are able to give you an answer it might make your treatment plan a bit smoother.
Type 1 is an autoimmune disease and you can be tested for the antibodies with a GAD test. There are other antibodies to test for, but I think the GAD test is the most available on the NHS! If you are GAD positive, then you are definitely type 1. However, a negative GAD test doesn't mean you aren't type 1, about 25% of type 1s are GAD negative.
Another test you can have is a cpeptide test, which looks at whether you are producing your own insulin. But as you werent taking insulin I'm going to say you probably are producing insulin.
5 years post diagnosis it would be pretty unusual for a type 1 to have insulin production. A type 1.5 might though...
Anyway, I don't have an answer to what type you are, but asking for GAD and cpeptide tests would be sensible just in case they can give you answers that help with the plan going forward.
2. How have you gone from not needing medication, to needing insulin in 2 months?
So in the last 6 months you've had a baby, maybe been breast feeding, gone on the pill. That's a whole lot of hormonal stuff going on. Insulin (and how your body uses it) is directly effected by the other hormones in your body. Certainly when I was on the pill my insulin requirements doubled. So it doesn't suprise me that you starting the pill has coincided with a change in your blood sugar control.
Maybe the two months of respite off the meds post birth also coincided with some post baby hormones doing nice things to your blood sugar control?
You asked for ideas, sorry, I might have given too many of them!
1. What type of diabetes do you have?
This is actually a really tricky question. And one that is really difficult to answer. But it might be worth trying to seek some clarification on this because, if investigations are able to give you an answer it might make your treatment plan a bit smoother.
Type 1 is an autoimmune disease and you can be tested for the antibodies with a GAD test. There are other antibodies to test for, but I think the GAD test is the most available on the NHS! If you are GAD positive, then you are definitely type 1. However, a negative GAD test doesn't mean you aren't type 1, about 25% of type 1s are GAD negative.
Another test you can have is a cpeptide test, which looks at whether you are producing your own insulin. But as you werent taking insulin I'm going to say you probably are producing insulin.
5 years post diagnosis it would be pretty unusual for a type 1 to have insulin production. A type 1.5 might though...
Anyway, I don't have an answer to what type you are, but asking for GAD and cpeptide tests would be sensible just in case they can give you answers that help with the plan going forward.
2. How have you gone from not needing medication, to needing insulin in 2 months?
So in the last 6 months you've had a baby, maybe been breast feeding, gone on the pill. That's a whole lot of hormonal stuff going on. Insulin (and how your body uses it) is directly effected by the other hormones in your body. Certainly when I was on the pill my insulin requirements doubled. So it doesn't suprise me that you starting the pill has coincided with a change in your blood sugar control.
Maybe the two months of respite off the meds post birth also coincided with some post baby hormones doing nice things to your blood sugar control?
You asked for ideas, sorry, I might have given too many of them!
Daibell
Master
I agree with the points @catapillar has made. Yes, do ask for GAD and c-peptide tests. The latter will tell you what your own insulin level is. Part of your diabetes roller-coaster could have been due to the pregnancy. If you are on Metformin ensure it's the SR (Slow Release) version. If you have excess weight then do keep to a low-carb diet. At the end of the day taking insulin is not a problem just a nuisance and if you need it then do take it whether it's just Basal or Basal/Bolus
