Just been diagnosed but not sure if type 1 or 2

[Keepfit]

Hello,

I had been getting dizzy spells and was often lethargic for a long time; but in recent months and weeks it got worse despite me making small positive changes to my fitness.

Got the blood tests done at the doctores; first of all I had to convince them to test me; the doc thought I was simply suffering withdrawal from alcohol because I'd recently been abstaining from it.

Anyway, one blood test led to a fasting test then a test which was to show the results from past 28 days.

Doctor told me on Tuesday I'd type 2 diabetes. Even although I had my suspicions its been the shock of my life. My dad was type one and dies from kidney failure as a result of his diabetes. I mentioned that to the doctor and she had to think; she said that she will have to seek further advice because maybe I'm type 1 instead of type 2. Is this normal ? I mean, is it difficult to diagnose between type 1 and 2 ?

I have to go the diabetic clinic at my local pratcice on Wednesday; I'd really like to know what I'm dealing with. My doc gave me metformin; I've to take 1 x 500mg with breakfast for a week, then 1 x 500mg with dinner for a week then 1 x 500mg with lunch for a week, ie working up to 1500mg per day.

I am dissapointed that, given the family history I hadnt been routinely tested. I think I was tested about 3 years ago and it was -ve.

I'm overweight, not obese. I exercise regualry. My diet hasnt been anywhere good enough but I've been shocked into action and have immediately ditched sweets, fizzy drinks, deep fried and fried food. With my research I'm also going to swap the thai rice I use for barley and I've introduced green vegetable to my diets; even got myself walnuts and an avocado !!

As I say I feel fed up that I wasnt given any sort of warning from the docs to get myself sorted before this came about and its most frustrating not knowing if I am type 1 or 2.

I was at the football yesterday and had to leave the match early as I'd one of my dizzy spells; I felt like I was going to blackout and that made me panic.

I also now realise that my grumpyness and anger tantrums are a result of this.

Another question; I'm hoping the metformin can cure my dizzyness first and foremost ?? I have no idea what my results are so I cant share anything like that with you.

I'm male and 39. I will do whatever I can to help myself. I want to start a family with my wife who is a lot younger than me and I want to live until I am 97 !!! I dont want what happened to my Dad to happen to me....Can I do it if I look after myself ??

I guess it would be better for me to be type 2 than type 1 huh ? and thats what I need to hope for ?

Oh another thing, I read that if some people et their diet right and the weight off and keep fit they can go into remission; I'm hoping that I cn achieve that and that the metformin is only to help me get to that point.

Some advice on all or any of the above would be appreciated.

 

[phoenix]

Not sure where to start!

Is it easy to distinguish,between the two?;not necessarily
. High blood glucose is the major symptom in both.
People who have T1 often have very high glucose levels at diagnosis, they often have a history of rapid weight loss , drinking lots and urinating lots (in my case I remember lots of really clear urine). However people who have had T2 for a time without diagnosis can have the same symptoms.
T1, when it occurs in children, often comes on very quickly and the lack of insulin coupled with high glucose leads to an emergency when the blood becomes acidic. (dabetic ketoacidosis) so there is no doubt.
T1 in adults can develop more slowly so if high glucose levels are discovered early then it is more difficult to distinguish it from T2.
More about slow onset T1 here:
http://www.locallada.swan.ac.uk/what.html
You could ask for a GAD antibody test, this can help distinguish between T1 and T2. (not totally, sometimes other antibodies are involved)
sehttp://www.locallada.swan.ac.uk/faq.htme the FAQs on the LADA site

I don't know if it is better to have one sort than the other. Both need controlling. WIth T2 there is evidence that weight loss can help, in a couple of recent studies they have claimed that this weight loss has caused a remission. There are also studies that show people with pre diabetes can delay, avoid diabetes through losing weight . Remission unfortunately doesn't mean cure. (although where do you draw the line?)
There are many people with T1 who live long lives with no complications indeed there are people who who have lived for 70 years with T1 (and in their early days they didn't have the testing technology or insulins that we have now)
Personally, I have now had LADA(T1) for at least 10 years .( 3 years with a lot of exercise and a 'good' diet before insulin use) Since starting to use insulin I've run marathons and hiked up mountains. I'm fit (and apart from needing insulin) very healthy.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Phoenix has provided some useful answers for you. I would add that dizziness isn't associated with diabetes so you may want to follow that up separately with the doc. At your 'young' age late onset T1 is a possibility but if the diet and metformin bring your weight and blood sugar down effectivey you may well be T2. Not sure what BP meds you are on but if not a high dose and the leaflet doesn't definitely advise against alcohol then sensibly low quantites may be fine; many of us on meds do have small quantities of alcohol.