Newly diagnosed and not sure how to raise a topic with the doc

[Weehotty]

Hi , recently diagnosed as type 2 . My docs not supportive of me having a meter says I shouldn’t be testing my sugars as there is no need ‍ so i went out and purchased my own , as a previous gestational diabetic i also recognised the need for ketone sticks ( my dads is also a type 1, so I thought you never know better to have them blah blah blah )

now on xmas day about 3 hrs after dinner i was feeling really really ****** . I took my sugar reading and it was 17.8 ( i was shocked ) so I remembered the keto sticks ... low and behold i had 2++
After many bottles of water later, and 8 hrs later i had a banging sore head and an upset stomach but I managed to bring it back to a trace of ketones..
since then its been updown like a yoyo ...

should i be bringing this to the docs attention , if so how can i approach it when she was so against me testing in the first place

Also can type 2s have high ketones ?

I appreciate any advice you can provide

Jak x

 

[Mike d]

You don't need the opinion nor the imprimatur of an idiot to determine what you feel is right for you

 

[Weehotty]

Im sorry i don’t understand your reply or advice

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @Weehotty ,

Here is an NHS advice link on the matter below.
If you need assistance regarding the keytone readings ring 111.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/

 

[Mike d]

Im sorry i don’t understand your reply or advice

It was really poor advice to tell you that you needn't test

 

[Weehotty]

Jings Jaylee ,

How am i going to raise this with the GP ...

 

[Jaylee]

Jings Jaylee ,

How am i going to raise this with the GP ...

Hi,

The GP sounds like an issue. & the BG meter testing for T2 is a common misconception for GPs & also DSNs.

The link I gave you regards keytone levels. If your BGs are high with out of range keytones? 111 will advise, & even send an abulance.. Looking at how you are stating BG levels in Mmol, Sounds like you're in the UK.?

Sorry no sound "blunt," Not really my style.

"2++" you stated could be anything in that range or go anywhere.? It's near the "knuckle.." & pretty late for the surgury.
Ring 111 & seek advice on what you're testing at regarding BG & keytones.

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welcome,

I think you need to remember that it is your body and so you are the one with the decision making power not the doctor. My doctor gave me the same advice- I told her I would get a meter. It's my body and I have decided I need information and the best way to get that information is to get a meter and test.

So I think you are simply factual- I decided it was in my best interests for me to get a meter and measure.

Now apart from that- what have you been eating? Have you been limiting your carbs at all? I would suggest that you try eating low carb and see what effect that has on your blood sugar levels.

I've put a link below which I suggest you read- then come back and ask questions.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.26870/

Good luck and welcome.

 

[Jaylee]

Hello and welcome,

I think you need to remember that it is your body and so you are the one with the decision making power not the doctor. My doctor gave me the same advice- I told her I would get a meter. It's my body and I have decided I need information and the best way to get that information is to get a meter and test.

So I think you are simply factual- I decided it was in my best interests for me to get a meter and measure.

Now apart from that- what have you been eating? Have you been limiting your carbs at all? I would suggest that you try eating low carb and see what effect that has on your blood sugar levels.

I've put a link below which I suggest you read- then come back and ask questions.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.26870/

Good luck and welcome.

Lovely to see you. @VashtiB However the OP has a meter & access to ketone testing at the moment.

Diagnosed as gestational initially. Then T2.. Reported creeping up keytones?

I don't wish to stick my neck out too far. We can't diagnose or prescribe on this forum..
But gestational D has Sometimes been known to eventually require insulin.

@Weehotty , give 111 a ring.

 

[VashtiB]

Hi @Jaylee,

My mistake- I had read it as earlier having had gestational diabetes which I also had and was much later diagnosed as a type 2.

I agree that if you are not feeling well though ringing what ever the appropriate number is in your country to seek advice is the best immediate step.

Good luck- I hope you get the immediate medical help you need.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi , recently diagnosed as type 2 . My docs not supportive of me having a meter says I shouldn’t be testing my sugars as there is no need ‍ so i went out and purchased my own , as a previous gestational diabetic i also recognised the need for ketone sticks ( my dads is also a type 1, so I thought you never know better to have them blah blah blah )

now on xmas day about 3 hrs after dinner i was feeling really really ****** . I took my sugar reading and it was 17.8 ( i was shocked ) so I remembered the keto sticks ... low and behold i had 2++
After many bottles of water later, and 8 hrs later i had a banging sore head and an upset stomach but I managed to bring it back to a trace of ketones..
since then its been updown like a yoyo ...

should i be bringing this to the docs attention , if so how can i approach it when she was so against me testing in the first place

Also can type 2s have high ketones ?

I appreciate any advice you can provide

Jak x

A T2 can have high ketones when on a very, very low carb diet, usually about 20 grams a day or less.... But that would usually go with low bloodsugars. If you have high ketones and high bloodsugars, forget the GP, ring 111 and ask for their help. As for your doc, as others have stated, it is your body, your health, you do have a say in all this. You can tell them you just felt better getting a meter for your own peace of mind, and considering the results, it's a good thing you did.

Think of it this way: If you do have a ketone problem and you're not a T2 (we do get misdiagnosed, type-wise sometimes!), would you rather end up in hospital or worse, rather than slightly irritate a GP who'll forget about it within 30 minutes? Priorities... YOU MATTER!!!

Here, have a hug, and ring 111. Good luck!!!
Jo

 

[Weehotty]

Thanks guys ! I was a gestational diabetic on insulin in two out of the three pregnancies i had. Now five years on i have been diagnosed with T 2 ...

i have been watching what i have been eating but im not on a restricted low low carb diet .. sadly i still eat my potatoes and rice and pasta ( albeit on a smaller scale which is why im puzzled by the high ketones )

thanks peeps !

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thanks guys ! I was a gestational diabetic on insulin in two out of the three pregnancies i had. Now five years on i have been diagnosed with T 2 ...

i have been watching what i have been eating but im not on a restricted low low carb diet .. sadly i still eat my potatoes and rice and pasta ( albeit on a smaller scale which is why im puzzled by the high ketones )

thanks peeps !

Hi again,

That's just it, if you're not eating a very low carb diet, you shouldn't be seeing high ketones. That means there's a chance you were misdiagnosed. Were GAD and C-peptide tests done to rule out late onset T1? In any case, with the readings you're seeing, I do think it may be safer for you to step away from the spuds, pasta and such for now... Don't go to 20 grams of carbs a day, but maybe 50 grams? 80? Something you feel you can manage? It would be safer, because you don't want high bloodsugars and ketones at the same time. In the meantime, don't muck about with this and get help if you ever feel sick again and detect ketones eh. Ketoacidosis is no joke.

Be good to yourself, eh!
Jo

 

[Weehotty]

Thanks Jo got the docs appointment in half an hour , going to address this .. no tests done to rule out T1 because im overweight .. thats what happened to my dad he was 24 stone and classed as t2 ... Ketoacidosis nearly killed him then they reclassified him to T1

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thanks Jo got the docs appointment in half an hour , going to address this .. no tests done to rule out T1 because im overweight .. thats what happened to my dad he was 24 stone and classed as t2 ... Ketoacidosis nearly killed him then they reclassified him to T1

All the more reason to go after this. Good on you for getting an appointment! I'll be rooting for you from the Netherlands!

 

[Weehotty]

Bricking it ... i dont like to be persistent with doctors, they look at you as if to say as a doctor you should do as your told x

fx all will be ok

 

[Rokaab]

thats what happened to my dad he was 24 stone and classed as t2 ... Ketoacidosis nearly killed him then they reclassified him to T1

Do tell the doctor this, that may help sway him/her to get you the proper tests or get you seen by the local hospital services quickly.

 

[Jam&Scones]

I'm not sure if this is a helpful route, but I am an odd type 2 and the DN referred me to the diabetes specialist department (I go to one of those places which do both GP and some hospital services including diabetes, so the nurse knew the doctors, I didn't know DNs could refer patients though...). The specialist has been much better than the GP and has done all the Type 1 tests and more. The specialist was also very keen about whether I had anyone else in my family with the disease and I think that is a very Type 1 question as I understand it can be genetic?

I would make clear to the GP that you wish to be referred or ask your DN if he/she can help. Your blood sugar was way too high without an obvious cause and Type 1 is in your family. Pushing for the tests/seeing the specialist is the right thing to do, stick to your guns! Good luck!

 

[Marie 2]

40% of Type 1's are misdiagnosed as type 2's at first. I was one of those and I believe it was because I was overweight. I asked if I could be a T1 as I had an uncle that died from Type 1. I was told no and they never tested me. It wasn't until I switched doctors that I was properly diagnosed. Type 1 runs in families, you don't have to have a family member that has type 1, but you are at a higher risk for it if you do.

It sounds like you really need to be tested. If your doctor won't test you then as soon as you don't feel good again or your ketones go up, go to A&E and maybe you can bypass the doctor so you can get tested or referred to the proper people. I don't know why doctors are still so stubborn about it. If you are a type 1, you need insulin or you are going to get really sick and end up as an emergency admission.

There are still a lot of doctors that are ignorant about being a type 1 or 40% of us wouldn't have been wrongly diagnosed.
It's up to you to try to get tested if your doctors not cooperative. So the A&E just might be the easiest route for you.
It's foolish with high blood sugars not to test, just buy one if you aren't going to be tested soon, it will be one of the best investments for your health.

 

[Daibell]

I agree with @Marie 2 that T1 is possible even though you are overweight. I was also refused tests for T1 and told I was T2 even though I was slim. I'm afraid so many GPs haven't a clue about diabetes which is why you need to take control as you have done. I finally had my GAD and C-peptide done privately which remains an option if the GP doesn't play ball. The NHS doesn't offer meters due to the cost; it has nothing to do with the medical benefits.