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Diagnosis clarification

AmyGreen

AmyGreen

Active Member
Messages
28
Location
Bingham, Nottingham
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hey everyone. I was just wondering those who have been diagnosed as Type 1.5 is that actually the case, or have it been put down as Type 1?
I know it doesn't matter too much as it's the individual who knows what treatment they need in order to keep their blood sugars under control, but I just wondered. I'm not sure where the Type 1, Type 1.5 etc would be recorded anyway.
I know it shouldn't matter and there has been lots of research done showing not all Type 2s are overweight etc but there is still a stigma attached to it.
I'm currently in the process of trying to find out what Type I am. Last letter I received from the hospital told me I had a strong positive result for anti GAD antibodies and I'm more likely to be Type 1 (islet? test was negative). From what I've read, knowing myself what symptoms I've had etc and the anti GAD result I feel it would be Type 1.5, but still a bit nervous about a Type 2 diagnosis.
Sorry gone off topic a bit anyway. Back to the hospital and I'm hoping to be told one way or the other, but again from reading posts on here, it may not be that simple.
 
I'm not even too sure of the difference between type 1 and type 1.5. I thought 1.5 was just adult type 1 ? It's all just too confusing. I suppose I'm similar to yourself. Initially, assumed T2, recently told T1 due to GAD test. Not sure of other test results. You're right though in that it doesn't really matter. It would be simpler if it was insulin dependant or non insulin dependant. Whenever I go for a medical with my Occupational Health Doc, he just labels it insulin dependant diabetes.
 
Hey Amy,

Like Elaine said in her posts us three are really similar! I have a diagnosis of LADA/T 1.5, however I'm currently taking part in Diabetes research which is following T 1's from Diagnosis, my consultant has confirmed my eligibility for taking part in this research as technically in time I will be a T1!! Confuddled much?!

I remember having the same mixed feelings about type diagnosis, everything will become a little clearer tomorrow hopefully and you can become more settled with it all and enjoy motherhood! ;) mmmmmm summer maternity leave, super envious ;)

Xx


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Very true just wait and see what they say tomorrow. Think I just want to go prepared so I know what to ask if I have questions.
I've given in and I'm eating a bag of malteasers at the moment.... whoops. I dread to think what my bs is before bed. I've been pretty bad all day to be honest. just been in one of those moods. Well lets hope they have some answers for me tomorrow.
 
Mmmmm hope you enjoyed the malteasers ;) we all deserve a treat ;) good luck tomorrow, let us know how you get on, unfortunately it just takes some time to find a balance with meds, diet and exercise individual to us all. I have learnt so much from this site, there are inspirational and supportive individuals on here all with different and informative experiences, best thing I did joining this site, it's helped me to become settled and able to manage this condition much better, I hope it supports you as much too!

Good luck tomorrow ;) xxx


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Hello everyone

I will keep this short for now, but I have been diagnosed as Type 1. The doctor saw my readings and I've been put onto small amounts of insulin for the time being to see how I get on.
Also I found out my anti GAD antibodies were 1329.
Not that I really have much to add to this, I'll post a proper reply later. I'm off now to go and tell my mum the news.
 
I have all but given up finding out what type I am. My GP seemed to be totally unaware of any type of tests that could tell me. I mentioned the GAD test and he just said he hasn't heard of it. They are treating me as type 1 as there is no history of it in my family and I am not overweight. The thing is I am 6 months in and still in the honeymoon phase as my insulin requirements are minimal. I have only cut down on carbs, not eliminated them and my BG is generally in a normal range. I got blood taken yesterday to get my first hba1c down since being diagnosed so it will be interesting to see what that comes out at. This is the general MO of the NHS in Edinburgh. If you are taking medication and it is working, keep taking it and Don't ask any questions.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
AmyGreen said:
Hello everyone

I will keep this short for now, but I have been diagnosed as Type 1. The doctor saw my readings and I've been put onto small amounts of insulin for the time being to see how I get on.
Also I found out my anti GAD antibodies were 1329.
Not that I really have much to add to this, I'll post a proper reply later. I'm off now to go and tell my mum the news.
Click to expand...


Hi Amy, thanks for letting us know how you got on. I actually (finally) got to speak to my consultant today too and he diagnosed me the same... my GAD's were 1682. Hope you're OK xx
 
Hi Amy and Sunshine!

I know it's all such a shock when you get the Type 1/1.5 diagnosis. It just makes it all seem so real because you know that insulin is inevitable. I was feeling devastated when mine came through, and my family were in disbelief, so go gentle on yourself for a few days and remember insulin isn't as bad as it seems and make sure you reassure your parents that you will be OK, because you really will, and they need to know that.

Qbix - unfortunately your GP is among the norm in my experience. I had to take printouts from the internet explaining what I thought I had and the tests I needed to prove it. The DSN at my surgery had never heard of GAD tests and had never heard of LADA. She told me emphatically that people of my age couldn't develop Type 1. I was 42 at the time. My advice would be to make a real fuss and get yourself referred to a consultant. Those with LADA will not get appropriate treatment and advice at a GPs.

Smidge
 
qbx:
Anti GAD tests won't differentiate between LADA and T1 . They confirm an auto-immune attack and thus may be present in those that are likely to develop T1 in the future. (ie T1 is someone who insulin dependent and at risk of DKA without it) There use may help to distinguish between LADA and T2.
Autoantibodies to GAD (GADA) are present in up to 90% of people who develop T1 diabetes.
http://www.diapedia.org/type-1-diabetes ... antibodies
There are also other antibodies, ;islet cell autoantibodies (ICA), insulinoma-associated (IA-2) autoantibodies, and zinc transporter autoantibodies (ZnT8). Some people have just one type, others have several.

Honeymoon periods do vary even in classic T1
During the "honeymoon period" diabetes may appear to go away for a period of a few months to a year. The patient's insulin needs are minimal and some patients may actually find they can maintain normal or near normal blood glucose taking little or no insulin.
Click to expand...
http://www.joslin.org/info/will_diabetes_go_away.html
Dr Faustman, believes that residual beta cell function declines very slowly, over many years.
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2012/02/fau ... -pwds.html
 
As it stands medically LADA is type 1, just a delayed and slow onset. Apparently type1 doesn't necessarily mean insulin dependent it means auto immune diabetes. I wonder if they will ever make LADA a distinct type on its own? The two consultants I've seen don't believe there needs to be another type and basically say Type 1 is autoimmune and type 2 is not and no matter how slow the beta cell destruction, LADA is type 1. Strange though when you consider that not all LADAs have their disease treated in the same way..... Also, because no medical professional can explain why LADA is so slow when type 1 is usually very rapid...I think maybe they might not be the same after all......


Diagnosed with GD in 2010, Completely disappeared postpartum. Re-diagnosed December 2012 with type 1.5 diabetes, age 26, BMI 23 currently controlled by only Metformin, 500mg twice a day.
 
Hi all,
this all sounds very familiar to me. I was diagnosed type 1 at 46 years of age in nov 2011. Consultant said def type 1 as had Hba1c of 9 and ketones in urine. Had no symptoms other than blurry vision, am slim and have no family history but had bg of 21 mmol. Started on insulin immediately. I was off work for 3 months as I was totally traumatised by my diagnosis and also had frequent hypos. After 3 months of gradually decreasing insulin, i eventually found that i maintained good glucose control on diet alone. My consultant then said maybe i was type 2 as gad antibody test, anti islet antibody test were normal. After a further 10 months insulin free, bg started to creep up. I tried gliclazide with no effect and now am on small amount of insulin again. So now I'm back to being type 1 who has had a honeymoon period! Bit of a rollercoaster but am slowly starting to manage my diabetes with 7 units glargine and 2 to 3 units novorapid only with my evening meal. Latest Hba1c was 6.1.
Good to find this forum, as i have felt quite isolated at times.
 
Hi all!

I think Elaine is right, LADA probably will turn out to be a different Type altogether than Type 1, but at the moment, they don't really differentiate - LADA is just slow onset Type 1. They tend to use the term LADA when you're still producing quite a lot of insulin of your own before you become full Type 1. I think the biggest difference is the speed of onset - I'm nearly 4 years in and still producing quite a lot f my own insulin, but nowhere near as much as I was in the early days. I guess a proper Type 1's beta cells would have given up the ghost by now? Anyway, the important thing is to know you're autoimmune diabetic - at least that way you get the right treatment.

Hi Ginny and welcome! You are certainly not alone! There are far more of us with non-standard types of diabetes than the medics let on! I hope you are coping now. I know exactly how you felt being diagnosed as Type 1 in your 40s. I'm still slightly shocked by it even now! I have stopped the weird grieving for my non-insulin-dependant life finally though! Stick around because there are several of us on the forum with this strange condition!

Take care

Smidge
 
Hi Smidge, its good to know I'm not alone. I do still think to myself, oh that was before diabetes, but now just get on with things, although sadly im not as free with the vodka as i used to be. And I've almost forgotten what a pint of cider tastes like!!
Ah well good job i spent my youth in a fog of alcohol to make up for now.
Will def find my way around this forum eventually.
Thanks for advice
x
 
Thanks for the info guys. Really appreciate it. It certainly explains some things that have been happening over the last month or so. My insulin requirements seem to have been dropping. I have been able to have more carbs than I did before. I have lost weight though and have been more active. So that would have increased my insulin sensitivity I guess.
 
Hi
I'm 2 years in at 40, I was first diagnosed with type 2 which very quickly became type one after the mods sent my bs through the roof then there was the question was I LADA then after more tests was I type 1 or 2 my local diabetes specialist team pretty much told me to stop worrying as this was probably complicating my diabetes with high stress levels, after a year I was lucky enough to attend a DAFNE course held by Kings college hospital ( unfortunately when the head nurse disses you as you don't know what type of diabetes you have can be quite off putting) to say the least after over 2 years of tests it was finally diagnosed as type 1 (LADA) I guess my point is that whatever your diagnosis, you need to have the strength of conviction as to what what treatment is controlling your bs, does it really matter. I thought it did but after all the tests my treatment hasn't changed at all I still take levimir and novo rapid as I did when I didn't know what type I was I'm not over weight, don't smoke or drink and exercise regularly, I adjust my dosage and diet accordingly as I have always done, I have a med band that states diabetic insulin dependant, if I were to be found slouched over my steering wheel does it really matter what type I am, or does it matter that I'm identified as diabetic and takes insulin to ensure that I get the help I need. The only time when you won't be able to communicate clearly is when you are having a hypo so let people know you take insulin then the rest will inevitably sort itself out in time.
 
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