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low blood sugar question - prediabetes and LADA

E

Em16

Well-Known Member
Messages
93
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi, I have predibetes at 43mmols. I've always been slim, eaten reasonably healthily and am very active....so I was already doing stuff advised to do to be healthy. On diagnosis I thought I could maybe just knock off a few puddings (which I did eat lots of!) but when I got on here and started reading I bought a meter. Carbs were clearly a problem and I went LCHF. All seemed ok. I was getting my head around it slowly. However, because each time I tested on a morning my readings were 4 to 4.5 I stopped taking those first reading - assuming that was pretty stable. However, this morning I woke with a banging head, felt hungry, light-headed and I was clumsy ....so I took reading and it was 3.9. I ate breakfast and it went up to 4.7 and I felt fine again. So.....I googled low blood sugar symptoms (which I'd been fairly ignorant of as my concern was high numbers) and discovered that I've probably had a number of lows previously ....I've had a collapse to the floor, for instance, through dizziness getting up to the loo one night which I put down to low blood pressure + moving too quickly (although really I hadn't moved any quicker than usual) and I've also had heart palpitations when getting up for a pee in the night.....again, I've put down to low blood pressure/moving quickly. I go to the GP on Monday - I requested second opinion as the first time I went the tests I asked for as a belts/braces measure( Glucose Tolerance Test + C Peptide test) and the advice I sought having lost a stone in weight over a 2 week period - which I can't afford to do as I would be skinny, skinny, were refused (I was actually told not to test as it would make me anxious (!) and that the weight I'd lost would've 'sorted it out' - irresponsible advice given I was already thin. This time, I will also mention these low readings, but I do feel anxious given the first, rubbish appointment. I'm also confused myself. Could the low readings be because of the lowered carb diet generally? I'd had a good tea at 7 pm and blood sugar later was 6 mmols, then nuts and dark chocolate just before bed at about 10.30 and this happened at 7 am.....Or is there possibly something else going on eg. LADA that I've read about but don't fully understand? I'm capable of being very persistent with my GP.....but if anyone can help me ask the right questions/request the correct tests I'd be very grateful ...as last time the GP's ignorance, coupled with my own, didn't help matters!! Thank you once again.....it is amazing to be able to get on here and ask these particular, specific questions!!!!
 

Hi there, you sound exactly like me. Aged 53 I was diagnosed with pre diabetes (for context because there are always exceptions, I was slim, ran at least 4 times a week, active job, non smoker, teetotal, medium carb diet but not 'rubbish' carbs). Sent off with 'You have pre diabetes, change your lifestyle, we don't know how exactly'.

3 years later I was feeling all the symptoms of diabetes (weight loss I couldn't afford to lose etc). Off to the Drs who said 'it's probably type 2 because of your age but you don't fit the profile in every other aspect'. As the Dr was chatting away to me, on the verge of giving me a prescription for some tablet (I don't know what to this day, probably metformin), she did a ketone test, as an afterthought. Ketones were high and I was sent off to the hospital as an emergency. 24 hours on a drip and they sent me home with insulin but was told 'Still don't know whether type 1 or 2'.I went low carb immediately but in retrospect this was probably wrong because all my glucose readings were low as a result of low carbing and the insulin, I had hypos galore. Over the next month or so they did;

1. A C Peptide test (insulin production was 'low end of normal).
2. Antibody tests (they checked for several different antibodies and the GAD one came back as positive).

Those 2 tests plus all of the above led to a diagnosis of type 1. I am convinced that the so called pre diabetes diagnosis was actually slow onset LADA and no thanks to them making assumptions (and doing NO tests back then), I became very ill.

I am fine now but ask your Doc for those two tests and provide them with your current glucose levels readings BUT bear in mind if you continue low carbing you may well be masking the results of how your body is currently reacting to carbs. x
 
 
thank you so much. I will print this reply off/type it up if necessary and take it to my GP as I think this is what is what with me.
 
...also, I am running out of the house now as late to meet friends, but do want to know if you are well and have things sorted out now. How does being type 1 differ? Thanks so much again
 
Em16 said:
thank you so much. I will print this reply off/type it up if necessary and take it to my GP as I think this is what is what with me.
Click to expand...

You are welcome, please let us know how you get on. I know it can be hard when you are facing a truculent Doctor but stick to your guns, emphasise the unexplained weight loss as well and insist on those 2 tests. I am fine now (on very low doses of insulin), it is still type 1 but a slower onset. Some areas insist on calling LADA type 1, others LADA or 1.5 BUT it is all type 1. x
 
Hi KK123, thanks again. I had a different GP today who was brilliant....she listened and agreed that something wasn't right and we should begin the process of trying to find out what was going on. I was able to mention that I'd had a reply on here from someone sounding very similar and your outcome, which was really helpful. I'll keep you posted - it is very supportive to be able to chat - hope I can give something back to someone at some point too as I'm very grateful to yourself and others who have been so informative.
 
I struggle every day to keep my bloods above 4.

My DN is lovely, but less than useful, my GP practice is new and I feel unnoticed still, but I’ll keep on trying. One day, armed with new knowledge, I’ll drag Ballymena into 2020
 

Wow, good for you Em16! It is so nice when someone finds the experience of others helpful and so glad your GP listened. Please keep us posted if you can. x
 
Hi KK123 and Barb McD,

Hope you are both well and happy?!

Just thought I would post with what happened yesterday....my GP phoned to say could I come in to surgery to pick up a glucose monitor/ketone monitor and see the diabetic nurse. I almost asked to postpone as I was coming down with a bug (headache/scratchy voice etc) but went in. The nurse went through use of meter. Blood Glucose was 5.1 - I explained low carbing. Then we tested keytones - just as a 'well might as well seeing as I was coming down with a cold bug. They were at 2.5 so I was told to go to hospital - I had some food and lots to drink as I was very thirsty (had been all day I suppose but thinking it was the cold coming on). At hospital (x2 hours later) keytones were 1.8 and over next 5 hours they reduced to 1.3. As blood sugar was good (low carbing) and other tests also (blood pressure a bit low - but that's common for me) they didn't treat and I came home. They took bloods though for all relevant tests and I will now have an urgent appointment with diabetes specialist. They said they thought it possibly was late onset of Type 1 and possibly caused by dehydration (but truly....I am always drinking !!). I've to monitor until then, and can have direct access back onto acute ward if any numbers go the wrong way. I do feel a bit stressed however....they weren't sure when I asked....could the low carbing have caused the raise in keytones like that? Should I stop and risk the blood sugars rising....or maybe I didn't have enough fat with food?? I don't know if either of you have any ideas about these questions....but notice that you had had a similar experience with keytones KK123! Thank you xx
 

Hi Em16, my high ketones were caused by a lack of insulin, not low carbing. I know that those who follow low carb who do not have type 1 get ketones that are dietary ketones, now I know that Drs say ketones are ketones and when they see them (in a type 1) they get worried because it can lead to DKA. I really wouldn't want to say more than that really (because at your stage of the journey, I would not speculate and would go along with the Consultants), but yes, low carb could have caused the ketones......but the onset of DKA could have at this stage as well. The problem with going low carb right at the start of an 'unsure what type' diagnosis is precisely what you have gone through, your low carbing has confused the results of any tests. I wouldn't take ANY chances at this stage. Personally I would stick to a relatively 'normal' diet for the first month or two and once you have been properly diagnosed and have settled down, THEN I would decide what diet I may wish to follow. x
 
Hi KK123, thank you so much for your reply and your very sensible advice. I had to go back this am to GP for more ketone strips and, as ketones were up at 2.6, I have also had a further chat with the GP. I then came home and read your post. You might be interested to know that we had arrived at a plan which sounds exactly like your suggestions and for exactly the reasons you give. I'm therefore not going to low carb going forward and stick to a relatively 'normal' diet. I've an appointment with the specialist on Wednesday. It is a bit of a mind field isn't it? Do you mind me asking - with type 1 + insulin, are you able to eat a relatively normal diet?

Thanks again, so sorry that you had to go through all you have. I feel very lucky that I can ask you these intricate questions - but also very aware that the reason you are informed is due to having been very unwell xx
 

You are more than welcome! Yes, nearly 3 years down the road I certainly do eat a relatively 'normal' diet, similar to before. I know that with insulin you can technically 'eat what you want' but I find that a lower carb diet (NOT low carb) helps me to manage it better and helps me to maintain more stable levels. You will be surprised (if you do get diagnosed as type1/Lada) how 'normal' life becomes. I am so glad I was able to give advice based on my experience, and don't forget once you have been properly diagnosed (that may take a month or two) you can then decide on whatever diet you wish. Whilst you are on your 'normal'ish' diet, make sure you test before each meal and 2 hours afterwards and write it all down so that you can see how different food affects you and I think I said before, if you do get given insulin then use it when you need it, I have found it crucial (still only on small amounts) to smooth out any rises. It means you can be more flexible with carbs too. Ask me whatever you want, if you can pop the '@' in front of my user name it will highlight it and automatically send me a notification that someone has replied to me.

PS, don't worry about me having been ill at the start etc, I am pretty robust and if I can help other people at the start to avoid continued illness then I am happy! x
 
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