Possible Type 1 although diagnosed with type 2

[Zastro]

Finally got to see a specialist after 3 months of waiting and she basically made it clear that right now she is unsure to what type of diabetes I had so she has given me something called a GAD blood test and has me scheduled for another Hba1c. She also mentioned the possibility of pancreatitis but I am in no pain from it so I am not sure about that. She put me on Metformin XR, has kept me on Gliclazide 80mg with a plan to move me onto Empagliflozin replacing the Gliclazide dependant of course on my blood test results. Any advice on any of this, little confused to the whole situation

 

[Kristin251]

Are you losing weight without trying? That is a big sign of LADA. Good she's doing a GAD. What are your bs ranges? Are you self testing after meals?

 

[Zastro]

Yes I was losing an incredible amount of weight before they put me on the meds, went from 22 stone to 17st in a very short amount of time (2 and half months). My blood sugar isn't actually to bad after meals, its about 8 with my BS being about 6.9 to 7.4 in the evenings

 

[Zastro]

I got the next blood test form here, shes wanting a LFT/Bone Profile/Lipids test and a HBA1c/FBC blood test. Apart from the FBC/HBA1c and the lipids test, I haven't had the other two before. Oh on the upside of all this I am maintaining and enjoying the challenge that is a low carb diet

 

[Kristin251]

The weight loss is very concerning to me. I had about the same thing. 25 pounds in a month or so and I couldn't afford to lose it as I am thin.
I was able to maintain bs control even through this weight loss but then literally overnight my fastings went from 85-250! There was nothing I could do to bring it down. Finally got the right diagnosis and started on insulin and everything got better fast. Inagianed my 25 pounds back but it stopped there. I do maintain a very low carb ( keto) diet and thrive on it.

It could be other things but ancpeptide will show how much insulin you are producing on your own. Generally the cpeptide and GAD will tell you all you need to know, which type you are and which meds you need.

I was on gliclazide before insulin and all it did was squeeze my already failing pancreas until it burnt out. I hope you get results soon as if you need insulin you still might be able to preserve some beta cells. Gliclazide had my bs all over the place. Hypo hyper

 

[azure]

Good news you had the GAD test done @Zastro Your weight loss is something that does suggest the possibility of Type 1. I too lost a lot of weight really fast just before I was diagnosed Type 1.

Type 1 can occur at any age, so it's always wise to rule it out. As @Kristin251 says, Some meds aren't really suitable for Type 1.

 

[Zastro]

Yeah I have been looking into LADA since I posted, its diabetes 1.5 (Hence the forum for it ^^). They said they had to send the blood tests off-site so it should be basically a month or two before they get them back. I'll have the HBA1c before I see my specialist again but hopefully the tests will show everything they need to know to diagnosis me correctly. Thanks once again for all the help guys and gals, you are all awesome!

 

[Kristin251]

Yeah I have been looking into LADA since I posted, its diabetes 1.5 (Hence the forum for it ^^). They said they had to send the blood tests off-site so it should be basically a month or two before they get them back. I'll have the HBA1c before I see my specialist again but hopefully the tests will show everything they need to know to diagnosis me correctly. Thanks once again for all the help guys and gals, you are all awesome!

That's an awful long time to wait. Mine was a few days. C peptide was the next day.
Are you very thin now?

 

[Zastro]

Thankfully since starting the meds my weight loss has slowed down, just hovering just under 16 stone. And yeah it probably takes a while cause its from my local hospital, they are slower than a slug with motor issues

 

[Richram]

Surely unlikely type 1 otherwise you would have become very ill in such a long period from diagnosis? And more likely type 2? Do you mind ,e asking why the uncertainty?

 

[Zastro]

To be honest I thought the same, but it seems that the specialist is unsure to what type I have, my GP diagnosed it as type 2 but apparently she doesn't trust his diagnosis it seems. Personally I feel that it's type 2 because yeah I would have likely been a lot worse than I have been. Oh well it will all be cleared up once we have the results back anyway

 

[Richram]

Yeah I can see how it's confusing, best of luck, always a shame that HCP leave you feeling confused

 

[Zastro]

Good news, I was able to get my GAD test back and while she said the results were slightly confusing, the overall result is that it was found to be negative. She will be changing me from Gliclazide to Empagliflozin once I come back off my holidays so progress is made. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[Rick1318]

I have the same problem...I'm 27 and thin with slightly higher than normal cholesterol and normal blood pressure. Doctor said I'm type 2 but I'm not as sure as he is. I seem to fit the LADA profile. Before going to get a GAD antibody test, does anything I mention below give any hints to what type I am?
- 3 weeks after dx my sugars dropped from 17 to around 7-9, and goes down to 4-5 after exercise.
- I "spike" by around 1-2 mmol/l pretty much after every meal or snack...even on very very low carb. For example, I ate 5 strawberries and 30 min later my bg went up by 1 mmol/l
- Both my parents have T2 developed after I was born. I'm guessing if I'm T2, its because of packing on the sugars and carbs for the last 10 years of my life after I went to college and became independent. (But somehow I'm still thin)
- I lost about 3 pounds after switching to LCHF diet after 3 weeks

Sorry if all the above sounds silly

 

[Ian_Laye]

BG going up by 1-2mmol/l after food is not spiking, its very low and quite normal.

 

[catapillar]

- 3 weeks after dx my sugars dropped from 17 to around 7-9, and goes down to 4-5 after exercise.

Well assuming your not on medication that certainly doesn't sound like you're not making insulin i.e. type 1.

- I "spike" by around 1-2 mmol/l pretty much after every meal or snack...even on very very low carb. For example, I ate 5 strawberries and 30 min later my bg went up by 1 mmol/l

Rising by 1-2mmol isn't a spike. It's normal non diabetic blood sugar movement again suggesting you are producing insulin and not type 1.

- Both my parents have T2 developed after I was born.

T2 is very strongly hereditary. If both your parents have T2 then, regardless of your weight or diet you have a high risk of type 2.

- I lost about 3 pounds after switching to LCHF diet after 3 weeks

That's nice, well done. I lost more than 10% of my body weight without trying and while eating like it's going out of fashion as an undiagnosed type 1. Weight loss as a result of a diet change is weight loss as a result of a diet change and doesn't in any way indicate type 1.

 

[Zastro]

It's totally worth getting the GAD blood test if you are concerned about type 1 and this is coming from someone with a really bad phobia of needles.