I have diabetes, don’t know what type.

EllieM · May 3, 2020

KK123 said:
and have you been told to test for ketones?

ert said:
The c-peptide should also indicate, if it's below the normal range, that you will need to monitor your blood ketones.

As the others have said I would strongly urge you to test regularly for ketones. High blood sugars (teens and above) and high ketones are an indicator of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is fatal if untreated, and (unless caught in time) requires a trip to hospital and a probable stay in intensive care. Many many T1s are diagnosed via emergency admissions for DKA, and a few still die as a result. It's very unpleasant and adding in the current COVID situation you really don't want, and don't need, to go there. Keep testing and good luck. If your ketones go high (you can get urine testing strips but a meter is better) then you need to contact your medical team immediately. (Note that some ketones are normal, particularly for folk on low carb diets, it's high levels plus high bgs that are the issue.)

Good luck.

KK123 · May 4, 2020

ArtemisBow said:
Well done for managing to get the tests done at all, I’ve never had them. Was initially told “you must be type 2, otherwise you’d be in the hospital”, then when tablets were doing zilch and they started me on insulin it was “you must be type 1 after all”.

I’ve since asked about GAD etc but as it wouldn’t change my treatment consultant says there’s no point. I’ve managed to get a pump here but only temporary libre funding for pregnancy.

Grrrr, it really incenses me when Consultants say things like that. You can bet your bottom dollar that THEY would want to know what condition they had (considering they are two different things). Personally I NEEDED to know regardless of the treatment, if for example I was a type 2 I would at least know that maybe I could manage it by diet only (or not) rather than 'here you go, insulin will reduce your glucose no matter what type' when maybe I had plenty of insulin of my own and extra could be making it worse. Despite the treatment 'being the same' if there are tests to determine one or the other they should do them. I would have created a real fuss! x

searley · May 4, 2020

KK123 said:
Not true in my area of the UK. You do NOT qualify for 1 & 2 on your list unless you fit some very specific criteria. x

Correct but as a T2 you pretty much never qualify

KK123 · May 4, 2020

searley said:
Correct but as a T2 you pretty much never qualify

Hi there, yes I know, it's a crying shame that they don't even get a glucose meter & strips, never mind anything else. I just wanted to point out that type 1s don't automatically get pumps & libres etc as people may have read your post and assumed that they would.

searley · May 5, 2020

KK123 said:
Hi there, yes I know, it's a crying shame that they don't even get a glucose meter & strips, never mind anything else. I just wanted to point out that type 1s don't automatically get pumps & libres etc as people may have read your post and assumed that they would.

Not automatically no..

But my case is I’ve been classed T2 for 10 years on insulin apart from an annual health check and test strips that’s pretty much been the extent of my care..

January I was reclassified T1

I requested a change of insulin was given it no question

Then in March when I had a telephone appointment with my consultant. Discussed my issues. Was offered libre and they suggested I go on pump

I now have the libre, I have an appointment at the hospital in July for the pump clinic

I have offered or diabetes training (post COVID)

I have a direct email address to my diabetes clinic should I need help or advice..

It just seems to me that there is a big divide in the care between T1 and T2 form me in the last 10 years the only thing that has changed is a single number... a 1 instead of a 2

So I stand by the fact if you are uncertain and the care team are saying mixed things or they are uncertain then push for testing because it can make a difference to the way you are treated

I read a recent post how someone was diagnosed prescribed medication by the gp and was sent on his way and that’s often the way I felt

KK123 · May 5, 2020

searley said:
Not automatically no..

But my case is I’ve been classed T2 for 10 years on insulin apart from an annual health check and test strips that’s pretty much been the extent of my care..

January I was reclassified T1

I requested a change of insulin was given it no question

Then in March when I had a telephone appointment with my consultant. Discussed my issues. Was offered libre and they suggested I go on pump

I now have the libre, I have an appointment at the hospital in July for the pump clinic

I have offered or diabetes training (post COVID)

I have a direct email address to my diabetes clinic should I need help or advice..

It just seems to me that there is a big divide in the care between T1 and T2 form me in the last 10 years the only thing that has changed is a single number... a 1 instead of a 2

So I stand by the fact if you are uncertain and the care team are saying mixed things or they are uncertain then push for testing because it can make a difference to the way you are treated

I read a recent post how someone was diagnosed prescribed medication by the gp and was sent on his way and that’s often the way I felt

Of course either type needs proper treatment pertaining to their condition but there are more differences between the two (and other types) than a 'single number' as you put it. I think the issue stems from people thinking one is more important than the other which is not the case, it's just that they are totally different diseases and require totally different treatments. I believe that lumping it all together (as many medical Professionals & others do) is not helpful to anyone and creates confusion and unrealistic expectations. Back to your original post though, as I said I responded because your post stated something as a fact rather than something that was 'not automatic', thanks for re clarifying.

Tel14 · May 5, 2020

HSSS said:
Did they just do GAD antibodies? No others? No c peptide? Gad can be negative despite type 1/LADA . If it’s positive it’s definite though.

I’ve seen people here wait a month for results. And sometimes less. It’s very variable.

Thanks for the reply. They definitely did GAD antibodies, and now you have mentioned it I am sure they did C peptide test as well. I had them done less than 2 weeks ago so could be a few more weeks before I get results then I guess.

Tel14 · May 5, 2020

JMoli said:
Hi there, I’m LADA - diagnosed with diabetes early January and put on Gliclazide (eventually up to max dose) awaiting results which took a month. I’m now taking insulin. There’s a LADA board on here with questions/replies that may help too. Like you I was healthy, fit, no family history etc so I understand it’s all a shock. Hopefully you will find out soon

Thanks for the reply. I will check out the LADA board, thanks. I’m still just in 40mg Gliclazide and it has made some difference, but lowest BM gets is mid teens anywhere up to mid 20’s. GP said dose will be increased this week if no improvement.

Tel14 · May 5, 2020

Antje77 said:
I only got the C-peptide and GAD test two years after being diagnosed with 'diabetes'.
That said, I started insulin a month after diagnosis and Gliclazide not doing enough, based on my blood glucose levels. So I had been treated as a T1/LADA for quite a while, which worked (and works) just fine.

Tests turned out inconclusive. I've spoken about testing for different antibodies with my internist and we decided to leave things as they are. Based on symptoms and treatment she was happy to diagnose me with T1/LADA.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I had read about those tests and thought I might have to push for them, but GP said straight away they would do them. Just got to wait for results now.

Tel14 · May 5, 2020

therower said:
What is a typical type 1 presentation?
At age 35 doesn’t necessarily mean you will be LADA. as opposed to Type 1.

Thanks for the reply. Personally I don’t think there is a “typical” presentation of type I- if you aren’t producing insulin, regardless of anything else, that’s type I to me (very simplistic I realise).

Lowcarb 2 · May 5, 2020

Tel14 said:
Hi all.
I am in the process of being diagnosed with diabetes- I say that because, I know I have it, but still waiting to see wether it is type I, type II or possibly LADA.

Some background:
About mid Feb/ early March this year I started to get all the classical symptoms. Unquenchable thirst, frequent urination day and night (up 6-7 x during the night), 1 stone weight loss, and a gentian thrush infection (sorry)!
Like most people, initially diabetes didn’t really feature high up on list of things I thought this was as I felt I could explain my symptoms away. But the longer they went on, the more I began to suspect.
Fortunately for me I am a nurse so knew the symptoms to look for and could tick them all off. Still not convinced, I decided to do a urinalysis test- more to satisfy myself that I didn’t have diabetes! Imagine my surprise when the glucose indication window immediately turned a very dark green!! Another test in case somehow the fist test was wrong- same result.
Now as I say I am a nurse, normally work in endoscopy but had gone to work in ITU to help out during Covid crisis- when I did the test I was in the middle of a 12 hour shift. On my break I phoned the GP (who have all been fantastic). No face to face appointments due to corona virus, but nurse would call me next day.
Explained symptoms and given a face to face appointment.
BM checked 29.9- ok maybe this is diabetes...HbA1c checked 107
At this point I should explain that I am a 35 year old male, go running 3x per week, dog walk at least once per day, have a good diet, 6’ 2” and weigh 70kg with no family history.
I don’t seem to be either a typical type I, or type II presentation. So at present I am stuck, waiting blood tests and scans. I have had GAD antibody test but not had a result yet. My GP suspects (and so do I) that I may have LADA.
I was initially started on Metformin but it did nothing- when I went back the following week my BM was still 29. Now commenced on Gliclazide 40mg once daily. With this and cutting out all sugar from my diet have managed to get BM down to mid to high teens. Managed to get it below 10 a few times but only after 6 mile runs!

At the moment I just feel completely in limbo. I hate this waiting bit. I feel like once I know what I am dealing with I will be able to just get on.
How long have people had to wait for GAD results?
Anyone reading this who has been diagnosed with LADA? How does my story compare?

Thanks for taking the time to read this- makes me feel better to get it all down.

Edited by mod to replace thinly disguised expletive with an emoticon.

Hi I was is the same position 3yrs originally diagnosed as type 2, then changed to lada then as things got worse over the months i was started on slow release insulin in November 2018 and finally as of three weeks ago type 1 and taking fast releasing insulin as well before my breakfast and main meal of the day, so far this is the best my levels have been and I actually feel in control , knowing what and when causes hypers and hypo i still a little sceptic though as usually things go well for a while and then my body throughs me a curve ball.
I had the GAD test last year and was my told my pancreas was producing insulin but my my antibodies were killing it off , since then things have got worst and the last time I saw the diabetic nurse she was of the opinion that my pancreas was on the verge of giving up and just like a heart attack could happen anytime scary!
She brought my case up at a GMC Meeting with a specialist and thus the latest insulin changes

Zilsniggy · May 5, 2020

searley said:
As a type 1 you qualify for

Freestyle libre
Insulin pump
Diabetes education

None of the above for T2’s

That very much depends on your health authority/Trust. I've been diagnosed T2 for 20 years and have been offered all of the above because I'm not a 'typical' T2........all tests were inconclusive.

I have diabetes, don’t know what type.

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I have diabetes, don’t know what type.

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