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

Recent Type 2 Diagnosis - Anyone not overweight and n?

S

Starmaker123

Active Member
Messages
30
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello there,

I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 (HABi came in at 53 and my glucose is 7.4 I think) - it was a shock as I don't seem to fit the bill in that Im quite slim and it isn't in my family. I also would consider myself fairly healthy in that I would walk 3/4 times a week and eat well - although the last year I have been on a wheat free diet for stomach problems and in that time I would have eaten more chocolate and more carbs than usual. The one box I do tick is the stress box - Im a single parent who works fulltime, I was also going to college in the evening for a year. I think I pushed myself too much and I have felt stressed for some time. Im not saying stress caused my diabetes but I do feel it was a contributor - does anyone have any thoughts on this? But it is what it is.

My doctor wanted me on meds straight away and in shock at my diagnosis, I took metformin for a couple weeks while I was doing my research - and then I stopped as I feel I want to address this naturally and make the necessary changes. I read Patrick Holfords book on Say No To Diabetes and I have been on his low GL diet and supplements for the last 4 weeks. I have also stepped up on my exercise to jogging 3 times a week, and brisk walking the other days. I was given a glucometer but haven't been using it much as I get anxious using it so Ive been focused on the diet and exercise til now. So anyway, I started using it a few days ago and my reading are high - anything from 11-14 on waking and 17/18 after meals. I would have thought they would be coming down by now bearing in mind that I am fully committed to the diet and exercise? My other issue is that the weight is falling off me, weight I don't want to lose - I obviously cant eat more carbs but has anyone any tips for me please?

If there is anyone out there in a similar situation to myself, I would be thrilled to hear from you as Im a bit flummoxed and frustrated at the moment

I think when you have the weight to lose that you have something to work with so I cant help feeling at a disadvantage from the get go......

Many thanks:)
 
Oops, the rest of the heading didn't go through, should read "Anyone not overweight and not on meds!
 
Hi Starmaker, just wondered how they made the T2 diagnosis. What tests were carried out if you can remember ? Many healthcare professionals just assume T2 in an adult but you may require insulin. Reading your post would suggest to me there is a chance you may possibly be late onset T1. The weight loss is a big indicator. I would keep a record of all your BG readings but I would also ask your nurse/doc to carry out a GAD antibody test and a C-peptide test just to rule out T1.
 
Can you let us know what you are eating? Your numbers do seem high and I am surprised that those number align with an HbA1c of 58. It could be that it is the amount of exercise you are doing that could be elevating your levels. It may be a good idea to test before your run and then after and see what you get
 
Hi Mo1905, thanks for your prompt reply.

she did a blood test, and then a glucose test. I have always been slim but have lost some weight prior to diagnosis. Im assuming Im losing more weight now because my diet is very healthy and Im exercising more?

I know the glucometer is my friend for the future but at the moment its scares da .........outta me!!!
 
Hi Andrew,yes its 53 which isn't outrageous at all.

Im following Patrick Holfords recommendations so Porridge with Oat Bran, some seeds and a few strawberries for breakfast. I had 2 Scrambled Eggs on Wholegrain Toast for breaksfast this morn to see it if made any difference but it didn't.

Lunch might be salmon salad, with hummous and oatcake, and dinner was chickpea curry with quinoa and veg. Im following his low GL recipes.

A snack would be oatcakes with peanut butter, yoghurt with seeds, or piece of fruit with handful seeds. I do find Im hungry in between meals.

Last night, I didn't have a snack after dinner in case that was causing the high fasting reading but it was still high this morn.

Maybe 3 nights in the week, I would have one glass or red wine, or a low sugar rich tea biscuit, and at the weekend I might treat myself a couple square of the dark choc - surely this is ok after a week of diligence!!!??

Many thanks for your reply
 
Hi Starmaker, weight loss is usually a symptom more associated with type 1. Ask your Doc exactly what blood test have been done and listen carefully for "GAD antibody and C-peptide". These are the ones which discriminate between type 1 and type 2. If they have not been done, ask for them and please don't take no for answer. I spent about 2 years classified as a type 2, struggling with ill health, weight loss (5 stone!), lack of energy and depression. My whole life changed around once I got a correct diagnosis of type 1 and the correct medication, insulin. The lower carb diet and exercise is brilliant, but unfortunately not going to be enough if you are type 1. Best of luck
 
Starmaker123 said:
Hi Mo1905, thanks for your prompt reply.

she did a blood test, and then a glucose test. I have always been slim but have lost some weight prior to diagnosis. Im assuming Im losing more weight now because my diet is very healthy and Im exercising more?

I know the glucometer is my friend for the future but at the moment its scares da .........outta me!!!
Click to expand...
Ask what the blood test was. Some docs won't perform the GAD test due to cost but weight loss is a classic late T1 sign.
 
Agree with others late onset type 1, but just because that losing weight is a classic sign. As said push for the appropriate test, quickly.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi. I'm afraid it sounds like Late onset T1 to me (LADA). Quite a few of us have been thru it. The assumption by many GPs is T2 and they don't do the GAD and c-peptide tests that help confirm the correct diagnosis. Your GP if he/she is like mine will tell me she knows more than me and I can't be a T1 'cos I'm a T2 (diagnosed with a urine stick). The key is the fact you are slim, lost weight prior to diagnosis and still quite young. The treatment pathway is similar but I'm afraid if a LADA you will progress thru tablets onto insulin faster. Being forewarned is useful as you can push for the right treatment along the way if your blood sugar can't be controlled. When I went onto insulin year ago it was a blessing having starved myself for years and without success, so don't worry about possibly needing insulin in the future; it's not really a problem and you can eat pretty well what you want but I still low-carb to avoid weight gain.
 
As late as 60s and even 70s I understand




Late onset T1, several auto immune issues.
Humalogmix25 twice a day, Methotrexate 25mg once per week, FolicAcid 5mg once per week, prednisolone 5mg daily, Allopurinol 300mg, Calcichew-D3 800iu, Levothyroxine 50mcg, Atenolol 50mg, Losarten 100mg, Aspirin 75mg, Nicorandil 20mg, Nitrolingual GTN spray, Metformin 2000mg, Allimemazine 10mg, Lanzoprazole 30mg, Atorvastatin 20mg, Co Codamol 8/500mg, Depo Medrone (Methylprednisolone) or double Prednisolone for 7 days in case of RA flare.
 
Hi,

Your diagnostic levels of 53 and 7.4 were identical to mine. However, that's where the similarities end. I was overweight and diagnosed type 2, but medication wasn't discussed. I was sent away to try diet & exercise for 3 months. Hopefully you can sort out your correct diagnosis and get the appropriate treatment.
 
Starmaker123 said:
Hi Andrew,yes its 53 which isn't outrageous at all.

Im following Patrick Holfords recommendations so Porridge with Oat Bran, some seeds and a few strawberries for breakfast. I had 2 Scrambled Eggs on Wholegrain Toast for breaksfast this morn to see it if made any difference but it didn't.

Lunch might be salmon salad, with hummous and oatcake, and dinner was chickpea curry with quinoa and veg. Im following his low GL recipes.

A snack would be oatcakes with peanut butter, yoghurt with seeds, or piece of fruit with handful seeds. I do find Im hungry in between meals.

Last night, I didn't have a snack after dinner in case that was causing the high fasting reading but it was still high this morn.

Maybe 3 nights in the week, I would have one glass or red wine, or a low sugar rich tea biscuit, and at the weekend I might treat myself a couple square of the dark choc - surely this is ok after a week of diligence!!!??

Many thanks for your reply
Click to expand...
Hi Starmaker, that is quite a lot of carbs. You may want to try and up your fat intake and lower your carbs to control bg. Cheese as a snack is fine but proper meals are better. I do LCHF and can by this regime keep my bg perfectly normal. If I stray I have to pay the price and it really isn't worth it.

I was diagnosed in February and am normal weight by the way.
 
I bought some of Patrick Holfords drink thing. Cant remember what it was called. Had one for breakfast but used half the amount of powder recommended and quarter of an unripe banana. I had the highest post breakfast result since I was diagnosed.
 
Star maker,
Your numbers were very similar to mine, (except I was slightly overweight) and absolutely no family history or symptoms. i had also just gone through a very stressful year.
I had to be firm and assertive with my doctors and eventually managed to get a hospital referral for the GAD test (mentioning a family history of autoimmune disease got them to take me seriously), which in my case indicates I am likely just a T2 (a negative Gad test isn't a definitely sure indicator, but a positive test result is a definite for T1).
Good news is that with diet and exercise I am now a thin-ish type 2, currently with non-diabetic HbA1c levels and no meds.
My GP reckons I was just unlucky to get diabetes. The stress probably contributed in so much that I wasn't paying as much attention to my health as I should have been, and wasn't eating quite so healthily or exercising as much as I had before the year from hell.
Sue
 
Hi starmaker
Your symptoms sound similar to mine. I was diagnosed T2 last September, age 58, never been overweight, but had lost some weight leading up to diagnosis. I felt I did not tick the boxes of T2, so requested a GAD test, and in December this showed I was LADA (T1.5). No family history of diabetics. Dr said I would need insulin within weeks, but through LcHf diet I am controlling my BS levels without medication or insulin. LcHf diet means no wheat, rice potatoes, pasta etc. I eat to my meter, eg. After every meal I check my BS levels.... You soon find what food affects BS levels. Have a read of some of the LADA forum posts. You may not be LADA but the gad test will establish this.



Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Thanks for all your replies guys - I must admit that now Im getting really worried! I have never heard of these tests, or LADA or the LCHF diet but will look into them. When I was doing my readings a couple times a week, they were okay but now that Im checking twice a day, they seem to be getting higher and Im feeling quite anxious which isn't helping matters. I am going to see someone tomorrow, who works in the area of diabetes so will see what she says. Thanks again.
 
Back
Top