Type 1 I tested positive for ZnT8 antibodies but nowhere closer to knowing which type.

[BethJo]

Hi guys,

So I put up a thread about 2 months ago confused about the type of diabetes I have as the consultant can’t determine it yet and I got so much love and helpful answers.

However, I now know which antibody tests are negative/positive and a timeline of when I likely developed diabetes. I’m on insulin glargine and novorapid as well as metformin right now.

Blood test 2019: negative for diabetes
Glucose test November 2020: 5
Glucose test March 2021: 9.2
Glucose test May 2021: 11.7

May 2021 blood test results:
• HbA1c: 65 (diagnosed with diabetes while in hospital. Drs said type 2 but diabetes specialist changed it to possible type 1 a few days before I left hospital and started me on insulin)
• C-peptide: 2,160
• GAD antibody: negative
• IA2 antibody: negative
• ZnT8: positive - 25

Going by the dates it looks like I developed diabetes sometime after November 2020 and it’s been diagnosed very quickly. I was in hospital for a bad infection in May and they picked it up while I was there but I did have symptoms of diabetes before that.

The reason the consultant is unsure what type is because I have a strong family history of type 2 on my fathers side. But she said the ZnT8 is showing to be type 1.

There’s also the possibility of it being insulin resistant or a family strain (MODY) but she’s not doing genetic testing yet.

The way I see things shows to me it’s clearly type 1 and I’m going through the “honeymoon phase” as it’s developed and been diagnosed extremely quickly. I’m not overweight and I’m only 31 years old.

Has anyone else had similar test results? What have your experiences been with results like these? And/or can you offer any advice about all of this.

I’m getting extremely stressed out at the moment purely because loved ones are basically having a go at me if I miss insulin or metformin here and there (I know it’s bad but it’s so much to handle. I already have a long list of other health conditions). So I’d really appreciate some positive vibes and support

BethJo x

 

[EllieM]

So I’d really appreciate some positive vibes and support

Well, it's great that you now have a diagnosis. (My heart bleeds for the people who suffer from a T2 diagnosis for years and then finally gat a LADA diagnosis),

While T1 isn't great (hello insulin for the rest of your life) it does give you more dietary freedom than T2, and having the T1 label in the UK makes you eligible for many more technological goodies than the T2s (aka pumps and cgms). Plus you're also eligible for hospital consultant care, which tends to be more informed than that of many GPs.

And an early diagnosis is also good, as it reduces your chances of long term complications.

Just remember that T1 shouldn't stop you from doing anything, though it may make life more difficult/awkward/inconvenient. It is one of the few illnesses where the patient can have more control than the doctors.(You will learn your own body's reaction to insulin, food and other factors. The doctors can advise, but you are in control).

 

[ert]

Hi guys,

So I put up a thread about 2 months ago confused about the type of diabetes I have as the consultant can’t determine it yet and I got so much love and helpful answers.

However, I now know which antibody tests are negative/positive and a timeline of when I likely developed diabetes. I’m on insulin glargine and novorapid as well as metformin right now.

Blood test 2019: negative for diabetes
Glucose test November 2020: 5
Glucose test March 2021: 9.2
Glucose test May 2021: 11.7

May 2021 blood test results:
• HbA1c: 65 (diagnosed with diabetes while in hospital. Drs said type 2 but diabetes specialist changed it to possible type 1 a few days before I left hospital and started me on insulin)
• C-peptide: 2,160
• GAD antibody: negative
• IA2 antibody: negative
• ZnT8: positive - 25

Going by the dates it looks like I developed diabetes sometime after November 2020 and it’s been diagnosed very quickly. I was in hospital for a bad infection in May and they picked it up while I was there but I did have symptoms of diabetes before that.

The reason the consultant is unsure what type is because I have a strong family history of type 2 on my fathers side. But she said the ZnT8 is showing to be type 1.

There’s also the possibility of it being insulin resistant or a family strain (MODY) but she’s not doing genetic testing yet.

The way I see things shows to me it’s clearly type 1 and I’m going through the “honeymoon phase” as it’s developed and been diagnosed extremely quickly. I’m not overweight and I’m only 31 years old.

Has anyone else had similar test results? What have your experiences been with results like these? And/or can you offer any advice about all of this.

I’m getting extremely stressed out at the moment purely because loved ones are basically having a go at me if I miss insulin or metformin here and there (I know it’s bad but it’s so much to handle. I already have a long list of other health conditions). So I’d really appreciate some positive vibes and support

BethJo x

We can't diagnose you on the forum. A diagnosis can take time. Your c-peptide is very high (in pmol/L), which suggests you are making a lot of insulin due to insulin resistance and have not lost beta-cell function. Antibodies aren't clear cut as they exist in the population in people without diabetes and need to be interpreted with abnormally low c-peptide which would support that your immune system has destroyed your beta cells, which is not you at present.

But as you have antibodies, you could consider that you may be in a risk group, and you can ask them to monitor your c-peptide over time to keep check your beta-cell function.

https://www.exeterlaboratory.com/test/c-peptide-plasma/

 

[ert]

Well, it's great that you now have a diagnosis. (My heart bleeds for the people who suffer from a T2 diagnosis for years and then finally gat a LADA diagnosis),

While T1 isn't great (hello insulin for the rest of your life) it does give you more dietary freedom than T2, and having the T1 label in the UK makes you eligible for many more technological goodies than the T2s (aka pumps and cgms). Plus you're also eligible for hospital consultant care, which tends to be more informed than that of many GPs.

And an early diagnosis is also good, as it reduces your chances of long term complications.

Just remember that T1 shouldn't stop you from doing anything, though it may make life more difficult/awkward/inconvenient. It is one of the few illnesses where the patient can have more control than the doctors.(You will learn your own body's reaction to insulin, food and other factors. The doctors can advise, but you are in control).

The consultant can't determine the type yet.

 

[EllieM]

The consultant can't determine the type yet.

Hmm, I thought the OP said that the consultant said T1, as in

But she said the ZnT8 is showing to be type 1.

Staying determinedly positive, (as requested ), if the OP turns out to be T2 then there's a chance that she'll be able to come off insulin, and if she's got to stay on insulin then there's no harm in having the T1 diagnosis....

But I agree, you're right, the cpeptide may be high, I honestly couldn't tell anything from it without knowing the units or whether it was a postprandial reading....

@BethJo, we absolutely can't diagnose on these forums but it sounds that your consultant is making a thorough effort in identifying your issues and will keep going until they have a definite answer. Lots of virtual hugs.

 

[BethJo]

Not once did I ask for anyone to diagnose me, if you’d read it properly I asked for people’s experiences and advice. I don’t say I’ve got a diagnosis either I said the consultant is unsure due to family history of T2 but the positive antibody is showing T1. I wish people would read properly before making assumptions and telling me you can’t diagnose me.

 

[Antje77]

I wish people would read properly before making assumptions and telling me you can’t diagnose me.

It's usually a disclaimer to make absolutely sure it's clear they are not trying to diagnose, especially if their reaction has components which could be seen as diagnosis suggestions.
It's usually not something they say because it's thought someone asked for a diagnosis.
It's not about you, it's about forum rules on leaving diagnoses to professionals.

Our forum rules are very strict on diagnosing or half-diagnosing, and posts diagnosing someone will be deleted. Even if, for instance, someone yet undiagnosed says they took some finger prick tests and they were all above 16, we cannot diagnose diabetes.
What we can say in such instances is to please see a doctor, and that those numbers fall into the diabetic range.