Recently diagnosed

I am inclined to think that if you are managing with Metformin and diet then you are a type 2 since if you were a type 1 you would be in a lot of trouble about now.
"Shouldn't they know what type I've got?" You'd think so wouldn't you but sometimes you meet an individual in the health service who doesn't know much about diabetes.

Hi and welcome,

There are tests they can run to see if you are T2 or T1, but they seem to run them reluctantly, because of the cost.

Keep eating well (to keep your bg under control) and if your bg starts rising despite every effort to eat appropriately, then go back and holler at them - before things get bad.

But, if what you are doing is keeping you to good bg levels, then keep doing it!
And well done

Frank1001 said:

Hi all I'm a recently diagnosed guy, not over weight need a few bowls of scouse down my grid to be honest. Went the docs cos of pains in my stomach (turns out was an umbilical hernia) had tests came back I was diabetic, had a hbc1a of 107 and blood sugar of 22.5, I was a sugar monster, got put on metformin not sure what hbc1a levels are now like but lowest blood reading I've had is 6.5 in the morning, and 10.5 after my tea, I've radically changed foods I eat...thing is the diabetes doctor can't tell me whether I'm a 1 or a 2, he said stick with metformin come back in 4 months, in the meantime go to health dietician, local nurse in my surgery gave me the finger prickers thats how I know the blood readings, I'm not over weight, good blood pressure, no cholesterol problems, no nothing....I've blamed the wife for giving me an STD Sweeties Treaties and Diabetes, she made me eat trifle.... On a serious note shouldn't they know what type I've got.

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Frank - I think sometimes it's not too easy to be too sure on type at the outset, where you don't "tick all the boxes". From your description of yourself you don't tick all the boxes for Type 2 (T2), but on the other hand, if Metformin and diet is helping with your bloods, then you don't tick all the Type 1 (T1) boxes either.

There are tests that can be done, with a view to determining type, but as they are expensive and not always conclusive, many medics choose to do as yours have and take the route of least intervention.

Do keep testing your bloods, and contact your surgery if your bloods shoot up, for no apparent reason. For new T1s, their pancreas can splutter a bit, and as such bloods could be erratic.

When you say you've radically changed your foods, what does that mean? For many T2s dietary control is usually key, and there are usually some common items we can't cope with too well. Some may surprise you. They did me!

There's a lot to take on board at the moment, but, if you keep reading, and keep asking questions. From your already improved readings, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

Hi. The problem is that the tests for Late onset T1 (LADA or T1.5) are expensive so surgeries don't rush to do them. LADA can come on quite slowly, so the Metformin might work a for a few months and then need further tablets added if it's LADA and then eventually insulin. It took 8 years from diagnosis for me to move onto insulin. Whatever your diagnosis go for a low carb diet and have protein and fat to keep you feeling full. Beware NHS dieticians as they may advise carbs with every meal and low-fat everything; just ignore any such advice unless you want to make your diabetes worse. If you are slim and the low-carb diet doesn't keep your blood sugar down over the coming months then suspect LADA and either ask for the tests of make sure you have further tablets or even insulin if needed to control you blood sugar.