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Confusing numbers??

Dan_Mason

Dan_Mason

Member
Messages
21
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi,
I've just returned from seeing my diabetic Nurse after being diagnosed 2 months ago and all the numbers are confusing. She has said from my blood test results my hba1c was 120 which I understand is the result of the blood test I had on the day I was diagnosed. From her face I got the impression this was extremely bad. What is this 120 number in mmol? To further confuse things I am now only on 2 units of incilin a day which they say is extremely low. They are unsure whether it's just the honeymoon phase or if I've been wrongly diagnosed as type 1.could I be type 2? It is Realy getting to me as I don't seem to be moving forward and just want to know what condition I have :( x
 
Hi. If the HBA1C 120 number was mmol then it equates to 13.1% in old money units which is extremely bad; sorry. Putting you on insulin to start with was no doubt the right solution to get that down quickly. It may be too early to try to determine whether you are T1, T2 or something in between. If you are noticeably overweight the probability is T2 and you must take on a low-carb diet to get both weight and blood suagr down. Your insulin will need to be adjusted as your BS changes so keep in touch with the DN. Yes, 2 units/day is very low but it may be the DN is treading carefully to start with. She may increase it if the BS doesn't come down into the right area. If your weight is near normal then it is more likely you are a lLate onset T1 (LADA) sometimes also called T1.5. If so, you will probably be kept on insulin long-term or possibly appropriate tablets for a while.
 
The NHS tends not to test whether you are T2 or T1. They just make assumptions based on your age and weight. This can be very frustrating. You can ask for tests to confirm whether you have T1 or not. You may have to push for this or get a friendly GP or consultant to help.
 
My weight is spot on and I've always eaten healthy. I started on 16 units a day which they said was low but it has gradually decreased because I was having hypos. Only on the two units a day now and all they keep saying is what do I want to do. Come of the incilin , go on to tablets, or stay as I am.but I don't have a clue I thought they were meant to be the professionals. I'm due to have further blood tests which I'm hoping will confirm a few things
 
Dan_Mason said:
My weight is spot on and I've always eaten healthy. I started on 16 units a day which they said was low but it has gradually decreased because I was having hypos. Only on the two units a day now and all they keep saying is what do I want to do. Come of the incilin , go on to tablets, or stay as I am.but I don't have a clue I thought they were meant to be the professionals. I'm due to have further blood tests which I'm hoping will confirm a few things
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Dan,

It does sound a bit confusing. But a couple of things.

That HbA1c is quite common for diagnosis. You didn't know you were ill, for goodness sake. I had the exact same number at diagnosis. You won't stay there! (I'm 44/ 6.2% now.)

What you need to know now - did she tell you? - is your current HbA1c, to see how you've been doing since then. That's much more relevant.

As to insulin versus other drugs, I don't know how you feel about it, but insulin is the best, fastest and most 'natural' way of getting you back to normal blood sugars. It's quite normal for insulin needs to go down once you start treating. They may or may not stay low. Yes, you may be in a honeymoon. Just adjust intake according to BS numbers. If I were you I would stay on insulin. Other drugs tend to waste a lot of time, time in which you're risking complications.

It may be that they're not entirely used to late-onset type 1s (ie LADAs - that's what I am eg). People aren't much: it's a new thing. It wasn't recognised before. Never mind - just don't be misclassified as a T 2. You dont want to struggle without insulin: it's ghastly.

The way to a lower A1c is thro lower carb intake, exercise, and drugs. Personally I think insulin is the best drug. But you just want to get yourself down, fast.

Maybe some reading? I'd recommend the Jenny Ruhl website and Dr Bernstein's book. You might not like Dr Bernstein, but he does give a very thorough explanation of it all.

Jenny Ruhl: http://www.phlaunt.com/

Dr Bernstein: http://www.diabetes-book.com/

The more you can read about it, the more it will make sense.

Lucy
 
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Dan, have they even given you a T1 vs T2 diagnosis? From the treatment it looks like they are treating you as T1 (which includes LADA). As Lucy says it's common for insulin doses at diagnosis to drop shortly after starting on insulin. The injected insulin gives your pancreas a break and allows it to temporarily resume insulin production.

With the benefit of hindsight, in your shoes I would insist on testing to determine conclusively if you are T1 or T2. If T1 stay on insulin. If T2 go on Metformin instead. Either way, go low carb. If T2, go on the Newcastle diet to reverse the T2. The decisions you make now could have a major effect on the course of diabetes in the rest of your life.
 
Spiker said:
Dan, have they even given you a T1 vs T2 diagnosis? From the treatment it looks like they are treating you as T1 (which includes LADA). As Lucy says it's common for insulin doses at diagnosis to drop shortly after starting on insulin. The injected insulin gives your pancreas a break and allows it to temporarily resume insulin production.

With the benefit of hindsight, in your shoes I would insist on testing to determine conclusively if you are T1 or T2. If T1 stay on insulin. If T2 go on Metformin instead. Either way, go low carb. If T2, go on the Newcastle diet to reverse the T2. The decisions you make now could have a major effect on the course of diabetes in the rest of your life.
Click to expand...

Or choose the best diet for you............

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/article-looking-at-the-diet-of-america.70012/
 
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