Diagnosis was made later in life.T1D

TypeZero. said:

So here’s just a brief explanation of the differences of the two main types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is caused by a faulty immune response to your insulin-producing cells where your immune cells attack and destroy them therefore your body loses the ability to lower your blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes progresses more quickly and most insulin producing cells are destroyed before diagnosis.

By contrast type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance where your pancreas is producing insulin but not enough relative to how resistant you are to insulin. In healthy people the pancreas produces more insulin when it feels the body is becoming more resistant whereas in type 2 diabetes this doesn’t occur at all or at a high enough rate.

When it comes to the tests:
- C peptide test shows how much insulin your body produces as C peptide molecule is released in the same quantity as insulin. So however much C peptide you have then that’s how much insulin you had in your body. Below average C peptide may indicate type 1 diabetes, an average or above average C peptide may indicate type 2 diabetes.
- GAD antibodies test helps identify if your body is attacking your insulin producing cells. The immune cells produce proteins called antibodies which help destroy cells and if a particular antibody (for example GAD antibodies) are present then it points to a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

However remember nothing is definite. Your doctor will use a combination of many different tests to confirm your diagnosis.

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EllieM said:

Be aware that a lot of fruit (eg apples, bananas, pears, peaches) is pretty high in carbohydrate so doesn't work well for many T2s, though T1s can just inject enough insulin for it. Berries are fairly low carb though. When my T2 dad visits I give him unsweetened Greek yoghurt with berries as an easy uncooked breakfast....

If they've told you nothing then have they at least talked about hypos (hypoglycemia, low blood sugar)?

A normal person only produces as much insulin as they need, but as you are injecting it it can be easy to inject more than you need. Once your blood sugar goes below 4 your brain becomes starved of energy and as it goes lower (2,3) you become increasingly confused and can even pass out (and potentially die but this is unlikely because your liver will attempt to pump out sugar to raise your levels). The symptoms of hypos typically involve, hunger, sweating, confusion, shakiness and most diabetics learn to recognise them pretty quickly. You need to carry fast acting carbohydrate with you at all times (eg glucose tablets, jelly babies) so that you can eat if you go low. If you are permanently on insulin you'll have to inform the DVLA and renew your license every couple of years (I think 3 but it may have changed since I lived in the UK). If you have a hypo behind the wheel of a car you can kill others as well as yourself so always do a test before driving and have sugar in the car.

Sorry for the wall of slightly scary text but this is essential knowledge for anyone on insulin. You don't need to fear them but you do need to be aware of them and munch a few glucose tablets if necessary. (Personally I prefer glucose tablets because they are pretty tasteless so I don't get the urge to eat them when I don't need them, but other people just buy appropriate sugary items from the confectionery aisle in the supermarket. Glucose is the fastest absorbed form of sugar.)

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Gleny said:

Hi there
Many thanks for your information I have been informed about this info yet to experience.i am
aware about the the regulations about driving I have sent my liencnce to DVLA

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HSSS said:

It’s good that you feel better. But nothing in your posts confirms type 1, or indeed type 2. Just being on insulin doesn’t determine which you are. The only way to be sure is the tests discussed here and if no one has done these they are guessing. It may be an educated, experienced guess and using things like age, weight, symptoms to assist but a guess nonetheless. If you are indeed type 1 insulin is the treatment. If you are type 2 you have options and insulin may not be the best long term one. A low carb diet can do an awful lot to change things and/or other medications might be considered that do not have the hypo risk of insulin.

A low carb diet doesn’t usually involve much fruit as they are usually quite high in carbs (berries excepted). Meat, fish and dairy all fir well into a low carb diet alongside above ground vegetables.

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Gleny said:

Hi there
I am due another blood test soon which should confirm wether I am T1 or T2 the Diabetes nurse thinks I’m T1 I agree this doesn’t sound very scientific.yet I think it’s more than a guess.
I mentioned fruit which is mostly berries every day sometimes Greek style yogurt.the occasional apple or banana.i don’t care for the more exotic fruits.very little red meat.lots of fish vegetables and some lean grilled chicken.i have cut out nearly all pasta bread and rice.
I try to keep active by increasing my exercise even if it’s working in my garden,this and my fairly strict diet keeps me fairly lean.i also drink green tea conventional tea and lots of water as I don’t care for coffee.
Regards
Glenn

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