• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Re-Diagnosed

Wurst

Wurst

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,128
Location
Germany
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Narcissistic forum members
Hi,
I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic around 6-7 weeks ago, today i have been re-diagnosed as a type 1 after an additional blood test. I am now totally confused. Since the initial diagnosis i've lost around 2 stone , change my diet drastically and had blood sugar fasting levels drop from 10 MMOL to 5.5 MMOL.
I am almost 40, 100 kg and active (now).

I was told insulin production was fine but some other level was too high (GAD / ELISA 82.1). Unfortunately i don't speak good German and it's where i live so i can't understand everything.

I've now been give insulin to take on a daily basis but don't understand the situation as to why? Could anyone point me in the right direction or advise what this high level is please?
 
Hi there, if you google GAD or search on this website you will find some more info. It is essentially detecting antibodies that are responsible for causing your pancreas to produce insufficient amounts of insulin to regulate your blood sugar.

I am in the process of being diagnosed with late onset type 1 or LADA/Type 1.5 and heading towards Victoza injectable before the last resort of insulin. Frankly gimme the insulin, feed up with feeling like ****.

You have done well to get your levels down yourself. Just be careful you don't have hypos because sometimes when you start on insulin you can have a honeymoon period where your own production of insulin is erratic and then you have too much floating around.

Can you get some decent advice via a Doc or diabetes specialist nurse that speaks fluent English? Really you need to know an awful lot more than you do to be safe.

Best of luck.

Ali
 
The test as others have said tests an antibody. The high level of GAD antibodies (and your weight loss) suggests that your diabetes is caused by an autoimmune attack on your islet cells. This is Type 1 diabetes.
At the moment you are insulin deficient but the amount of insulin you produce will become less over time.
This process can take some time. If you are young it may be only a short time to real insulin dependence but in older adults, it can sometimes take a few years.(LADA) This means that it is possible , as you have found to manage with oral medications and diet for a while but ultimately you would need insulin.
It is quite common in many parts of Europe to do an antiGAD test and if positive start insulin immediately.There are many researchers that feel that introducing insulin at diagnosis helps preserve some insulin production for longer. Certainly it may make the condition easier to manage.
This site tells you something about LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults)

http://www.locallada.swan.ac.uk/faq.html
 
Thanks for all the replies. From the diagnosis test my GAD levels were 81.2 IE/ml but C-Peptid levels were okay at 3.0 ng/ml . I'm guessing in the future the high GAD levels will cause problems in the creation of insulin.

My weight loss was caused by a diet of fruit, nuts, seeds, boiled chicken , lentils and salads only for over 1.5 months together with pre-breakfast jogging, cycling to work etc etc.
Do you think I should reiterate this to the doctor in case they have assumed my weight loss was due to diabetes alone or do the GAD levels suffice to diagnose me.

Much appreciated for all the replies
 
I think I am right in saying that in Type 1.5/LADA/slow onset type 1 in adults then the CPep is usually low to normal and the GAD has a high antibody reading. Yes, as your immune system attacks your beta cells your insulin production will decrease over time.

But you really must get some decent advice with a translator etc to ensure you use your meds safely and don't have hypos etc. Don't know what the driving laws are there but we have to tell DVLA if we commence insulin use. Make sure you are au fait with your local laws, also notify the car insurance company etc.

Ali
 
Back
Top