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Islet level???

Hi. What blood test is this? To test the islet cell condition you would usually have a c-peptide test which measures your insulin level. Most GPs don't do this test so I'm not sure this is the test you have had. If you have had the test it all depends on which lab was used and how they presented the results; usually they show the possible result range and if you are near the bottom like I was when I had the test done privately it tells you your pancreas isn't performing.
 
I had GAD ABs n Islet ABs done to test for type 1 GAD was neg but Islets was less then 5. Reception told me results but i dont understand :-(
Thanks
 
Hi. Ah, I understand the GAD which I also had done and was negative but it sounds like you may also have been tested for other antibody types but I'm not sure and not an expert on this. I'm sorry I can't help further and your doc or DN would need to clarify the islet test and the result. Either way it does seem that you and the doc are exploring possible late onset type 1 for whatever reason. In some ways it doesn't matter what the actual cause is, the treatment is likely to be the same if you do have failing islet cells (assuming no other unusual condition). Tablets may work for a while but then insulin will be needed. I've also had a failing pancreas for many years, reasons unknown and have just gone onto insulin from tablets. I'm amazed how easy it is to do the insulin and no pain so don't worry if you do are diagnosed with T1 as management is a lot easier than it used to be.
 
Daibell said:
Hi. Ah, I understand the GAD which I also had done and was negative but it sounds like you may also have been tested for other antibody types but I'm not sure and not an expert on this. I'm sorry I can't help further and your doc or DN would need to clarify the islet test and the result. Either way it does seem that you and the doc are exploring possible late onset type 1 for whatever reason. In some ways it doesn't matter what the actual cause is, the treatment is likely to be the same if you do have failing islet cells (assuming no other unusual condition). Tablets may work for a while but then insulin will be needed. I've also had a failing pancreas for many years, reasons unknown and have just gone onto insulin from tablets. I'm amazed how easy it is to do the insulin and no pain so don't worry if you do are diagnosed with T1 as management is a lot easier than it used to be.
Click to expand...

I've had that test recently too, though haven't had the results yet. I went onto insulin recently after my blood sugar levels started rocketing. The diabetes specialist wanted to know whether I was actually late onset T1. I asked him what the difference was, to me, if the treatment was the same. He said that the main difference was that if I was a T2 and forgot to take my insulin, I'd just feel grotty, whereas if I was T1 and forgot to take my insulin, I might die. Worth knowing!
 
Hi blackcat, it sounds as though they are checking you for LADA (type 1.5). If that turns out to be the case, I would be inclined to question any suggestion of going onto insulin stimulating drugs as these will just stress even more a failing pancreas. The latest thoughts are that insulin injections are a better course of treatment for LADA as it will help to support what remains of islet cells you have left and the longer they go on working for the better. If they are already struggling to produce enough insulin then the last thing you need to do is to try to stimulate them into working even harder when they are already flat out.
If you are LADA you will almost certainly need insulin support, the decline of your beta cells can be quite rapid, so controlling your diabetes with diet alone would become impossible even with really strict control. Its still worth looking at a low carb, high fat diet though as this can help to keep the needed insulin levels fairly low, also making the size of insulin dose much smaller and thereby reducing the risks of hypos.
If you turn out to be type 2, you may still have reached the stage where you need insulin, but they would probably go down the insulin stimulating drugs route first. However, as you have only been diagnosed a year, I would have thought that you wouldn't be on much more than metformin at the moment. And unless you have been very unlucky and suffered major damage to your pancreas it should still be producing loads of insulin.
So, if I were you I would have a read up on LADA and see if you think it fits. Good luck.
 
Thanks for replies guys.
To half pint im on 2 x 500mg metformin 100mg sitagliptin 2mg glimepiride which is bn upped on Monday to 4mg. Im on low carb diet but cant have high fat due to no gallbladder yet BS rarely get below 7 n mainly 10-14. So who nos but im bk at DN 5/4
 
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