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Possible Type 1.5?

Philby

Member
Messages
18
Location
Ireland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi, I have seen my clinical team recently and unfortunately my HbA1c has increased from 42 to 48 in 3 months and my BG reading average (before meals) has increased steadily from an monthly average of 5.5 in June to 7.1 in November. Along with this I am loosing weigh (just over 3 stone in 8.5 months), without any effort, and it is getting to a point that if am concerned that I may become underweight if the weigh loss continues.

The clinical team are going carry out the following blood tests Anti GAD and TTG (it think) to see if I may be in fact type 1.5. Do you think that my symptoms point to type 1.5 or could it be something else entirely? If its type 1.5 how long was it before you were put on insulin,(if you where of course, I know each case is unique) but I would like to have an idea.

sorry for asking these questions, I am a little anxious about this (diagnosis/weight loss and loosing of BG control) and it is getting me a wee bit down and angry at the same time... I have being a little difficult to deal with a times recently. I am really a nice person .............most of the time. Thanks for your time
 
The weight loss would certainly suggest the possibility of late onset T1. The GAD test will confirm if you have the auto-immune diabetes and your team will treat accordingly. I too was late onset and tested for GAD and was pretty much on insulin straight away but others go through a honeymoon phase where you may be able to deal with it through a mixture of diet/meds or very small doses of insulin. At least your docs are being pro-active with you. Lots of people here ask for the GAD test but are refused. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Whatever the outcome, you can deal with it !
Mo
 
I'm the same as you but they did the GAD and c-peptide on me immediately and confirmed I'm slow onset type 1 as I'm not overweight and have the autoimmune disease and reduced insulin production. I have been on Metformin and low GI diet now for almost exactly a year and still don't need insulin according to my consultant. It really depends on how slow ur beta cells are being destroyed and also how prepared you are to change ur diet... A lot of people don't want to make the diet changes so go onto insulin straight away because they are always running into double figures. On a low GI diet I'm not hitting double figures yet and until I do my consultant won't consider insulin due to the hypo risk... It's so individual to each person it's almost impossible to give specific advice


Diagnosed with GD in 2010, Completely disappeared postpartum. Re-diagnosed December 2012 with type 1.5 diabetes, age 26, BMI 22 currently controlled by only Metformin, 500mg twice a day.
 
Yes, I agree that T1.5 is likely and the docs are doing the right GAD test; c-peptide can also help. T1.5 comes on at widely differing speeds as there are a variety of anti-bodies as well as other factors that cause pancreatic failure. It has taken me 9 years to go onto insulin as very low-carbing and full tablets stopped working and my Hba1c went above 8%. In my case the GAD last year I had done privately was negative but the c-peptide showed no insulin. Your weight loss is a key indicator of T1.5. I had a sudden loss of weight just prior to my (T2 guesswork) diagnosis. I'm surprised your consultant is worried about hypos. Yes, they are an obvious risk but as long as you are sensible they are avoidable most of the time. I've yet to have one in 9 months of insulin but keep my blood sugar quite low.
 
I think it's the right decision... My levels rarely go above 9mmol and a lot of type 1.5s experience less control once they go onto insulin as it's impossible to tell how much insulin ur own body is producing so how can you know how much u need to inject? Plus, any time without insulin is a bonus for me lol I struggle just testing my blood with the finger pricker so I'm happy to put it off as long as is possible....
 
It may also be worth considering MIDD (Mitochondrially Inherited Diabetes and Deafness) as a possibility too. When I saw my diabetic consultant it was assumed that I had type II, but as I was underweight and didn't have any of the classic signs of diabetes it was suggested that I might have MIDD, and a genetic test confirmed it. A family history of slimness, small stature, deafness and obviously diabetes, that usually occurs around age 36-38, are the usual indicators. If you don't have any of these other symptoms or a history of them in the family then it may be more likely to be 1.5. Hope this helps
 
Thanks Brett, although I'm glad there's no insulin it's still frustrating because my medical professionals are just baffled by it....nothing seems to be happening! I have my review next week so we shall see how the c-peptide is going then lol
 
HI all, just to give you an update. I have meet my clinical team recently. Unfortunately the diet and exercise has not continued to work, HBA1c up to 60 in Jan. Also the lab messed up on my Anti-GAD test so no result there yet, I have to be retested. However as a result of the increasing HBA1c and the fact the the clinical team do not see me as a typical type 2 they have put me on long acting Insulin (Lantus) and on Glicazide and see how that goes. I am still on the experimental phase of trying to figure the correct insulin dosage. I am at 16 units at the moment.

As the doctor say I am a peculiar case and certainly not a typical type 2, although they have not said I am type 1.5. Overall I am in a much happier and slowly but surely I am getting my BG control back.. thanks for all the help and support to date and I will keep you informed of any updates
 
Glad to hear you are getting the right treatment, it's always interesting to hear how people are progressing - hope all goes well and keep posting.
 
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