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Newly diagnosed

M

MagsYB

Newbie
Messages
4
I have recently been diagnosed and was given very little information. I was wondering if anyone had been in similar situation as I have read and been told conflicting info. My fasting glucose was 7.2 and 7.4 and my HbC1A was 44. That was the only tests done and I was told Type 2. I had Pancreatic Cancer and have Crohns Disease (IBD in family) and I don't drink or smoke, eat relatively healthily and my weight has been the same for over 10 years. (I am 59). I have read that there are further tests to check for type, gene related and pancreas related. Also I take a lot of medication of which at least 4 tablets can effect glucose. Has anyone else had further blood tests etc to check for exact type hence an implication on treatment. I have so many health issues and feel that nothing else has been taken into the equation. Maybe I am being stupid asking this question.
 
A HbA1c of 44 is actually prediabetic... So while we can't diagnose on here, we can tell you that much. Also, there is a type of diabetes related to pancreatic cancer, type 3c... Which you might want to look into. Have you been put on any medication for the diabetic diagnosis? If not, you might be able to get your bloodsugars down through diet, whatever type you are: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ is my own quick start guide, but there's loads more on dietdoctor.com, this forum's website diabetes.co.uk (not .org!), and The Diabetes Code by Dr. Jason Fung. Mind you, if you are on blood glucose lowering medication like gliclazide, a diet change can cause hypo's when combined with those meds. Also, "eating healthily" means something entirely different to someone with a metabolic disorder... The EatWell plate doesn't apply to people with our type of conditions. Carbs are basically the enemy. (Also... I don't have Crohns or IBD, "just" IBS, but on a low carb diet it stopped bothering me. Carbs are inflammatory and can quite hurt the gut, even when you're not gluten intolerant.). Something to try, maybe?

I'm guessing you're on a statin or something? (Those raise bloodglucose too, and in some people actually cause T2.). Is there any way you can review the meds you're on, maybe find alternatives with your pharmacist/specialist? Just a thought.

In any case, I hope you get some proper answers. We're right here should you need us.
Jo
 
Hello @MagsYB , and welcome to the forum!
Here a bit of information about diabetes that's very useful when being newly diagnosed:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.26870/

MagsYB said:
Has anyone else had further blood tests etc to check for exact type
Click to expand...
With a history of pancreatic cancer I think a C-peptide test would be the first to look at. The results tell you something about the amount of insulin you produce, which is usually high or normal in newly diagnosed T2 and lower in T1 or T3C.

Other tests are for antibodies (T1) and genetic testing (for MODY).
Good luck and let us know how you get on!
 
MagsYB said:
Has anyone else had further blood tests etc to check for exact type hence an implication on treatment. I have so many health issues and feel that nothing else has been taken into the equation. Maybe I am being stupid asking this question.
Click to expand...

It should be fairly standard now for doctors to do antibody and c-peptide tests to determine your diabetic type. Given your pancreatic issues I'm really surprised that a c-peptide test hasn't been done, as 3c is a definite possibility. And if you're not producing insulin then going low carb may delay your issues, but they won't solve them. And I also agree with @JoKalsbeek that your levels are boderline diabetic though different countries put the dividing line at different levels.

And all bets are off if you're on steroid medication, as they are notorious for causing dramatic rises in blood sugar.
 
I wanted to thank those who replied to me and the information helped. I visited by GP yesterday and took with me a lot of information I had downloaded in regards to Type 3 or Pancreatogenic Diabetes. I firstly said to her that my Hbc1A of 44 seemed to be just over the normal according to online sites relating to Diabetes. I explained to her that I felt there should have been more help provided in my diagnosis as the Pancreatic Cancer and surgery, being on steroids, etc were never mentioned in the equation by the nurse. I told her I have so many illnesses to deal with that I wanted to be sure I was put on the correct track with diabetes and that no-one had checked further to see what was going on the part of Pancreas I had left and that there might be a possibility of a different type of Diabetes present involving alternative treatment. She in fact knew nothing about Type 3C or Pancreatogenic and asked me to leave the paperwork I had for her to read through and speak to an Endocrinologist. I have to go back in 2 weeks. As I have Crohns which is an Autoimmune disease, I wondered if anyone knew anything about Autoimmune Diabetes as I know there is a higher possibility of developing a second Autoimmune disease. Diabetes may be totally different but I was just curious if there was a possibility. As the GP or nurse didn't know that much I feel that the more I know about the subject the better for me. Thanks again.
 
I can't help you there, but I just wanted to say well done....! This is going to pay off. Also, if you're worried about auto immune diabetes, ask for these tests: C-pap and GAD. Those'll help determine type, but I'm glad your GP is making work of this...!
 
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