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How do I know?

N

newbienosugar

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How do I know whether my body is not producing enough insulin or it is but not using it properly?

Is there a simple test? My doctor seems to have assumed that it is type 2. I appreciate that the vast majority is type 2.
 
c peptide and GAD antibody test will tell you how much insulin you produce and whether your body is having an autoimmune response (as in T1 or LADA) but if I recall, there is a timescale for c peptid test

However, NHS dont tend to be that proactive in such tests -preferring to diagnose on a number of characteristics and then assess whether the medication they prescribe works! :?
 
If Metformin or a sulphonyl urea works for you, you are probably a T2.
Hana
 
Thanks for your replies. I am recently on Metformin (500mg twice a day) and it does reduce it a bit I think - I can't tell whether its my low carbing or the pills.

I would have thought the would test to confirm whether its T1 OR T2 rather than assume its T2 because T1 mainly gets young people and "in 99% of cases for people of your age its T". I always worry about the other 1%. Why won't they just test rather than guess!

By the way, I am very grateful for and to this forum. I have had some very good advice and have learnt far more about diabetes and wys of managing it than i have from my "6 minute" sessions with the doctor. They wouldn't give me any testing testing strips because for "T2 yoU can't do anything to bring it down".
 
I would have thought the would test to confirm whether its T1 OR T2 rather than assume its T2 because T1 mainly gets young people and "in 99% of cases for people of your age its T". I always worry about the other 1%. Why won't they just test rather than guess!
Click to expand...

Actually its 10% -13%of people diagnosed with type 2 in the UK that have the antibodies specific to LADA (a form of type 1). As Hana says the odds are on type 2 but in the earlier stages of LADA oral drugs or even diet and exercise will work for a while ( and sometimes for several years). It depends on how soon in the process of beta cell loss that you're diagnosed.
Many people of course are much far further down the road when diagnosed and present with very high blood glucose levels, weight loss, drinking and urinating a lot etc

These FAQs will tell you about LADA and its diagnosis.
http://www.locallada.swan.ac.uk/faq.html
 
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