Type 1 1/2's

Malc,

theres no 'official' type 1.5
Probably mostly used for LADA, which is a form of T1
http://www.locallada.swan.ac.uk/what.html
or for MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maturity_o ... _the_young which is an hereditary form of diabetes and is neither T1 nor T2

On some forums the T1.5 section is also used by people with ketosis prone T2/atypical type 1 (you won't find much mention of this in the UK cos I doubt it's often diagnosed) it's a type of Type 2 that starts with DKA and needs insulin then goes into remision becomes like T2. However, the person may become insulin dependent again. It's a cycle of insulin dependence and remission.
It seems to be mostly found in African American and Hispanic males but has also be found in France in people originating from the Sub Saharan region of Africa. There may be others, just haven't been found yet!

Hiya Malc!

I'm Type 1.5. In my case this is used to describe LADA which is actually closely akin to Type 1, but it isn't Type 1 because I still produce basal insulin which full Type 1's don't. I am insulin dependant, though, because I cannot eat without my BGs going into double figures; even very small amounts of carb will do this to me. Ultimately, I expect my insulin production to stop altogether and I will progress to full Type 1.

I was 42 when first diagnosed as diabetic and very petite - never been overweight. I had no symptoms and was diagnosed by accident while having a blood test for something completely different. I was misdiagnosed as Type 2 and became very ill over a 9 month period. I was finally diagnosed with LADA about 5 months ago, although I was put on insulin about 10 months ago. For me it was very important to have the correct diagnosis, so that I could get appropriate treatment. It only takes a quick blood test to check for GAD antibodies - if present, Type 1 is diagnosed (or LADA if you are still producing insulin). I had a real struggle to get the medics to take my case seriously and do a proper diagnosis, because they like to label anyone over 25 as Type 2. At your age, you are most likely Type 2, because LADA is not commonly diagnosed for the first time in anyone over 50. Type 2 is significantly more common in overweight people, but risk of it increases with age regardless of weight. That's why they will have plumped for Type 2.

Are you testing your BG regularly? LADA tends to spike your BG much higher after food than Type 2 does, but can be relatively normal at fasting and often gives good HbA1cs, so the dangerous levels are hidden and you can kid yourself you are controlling it well with diet and exercise. Test before food and 2 hours after - if it is going very high after relatively small amounts of carb it would suggest LADA. For example, 10g of carb would make my BG go into double-figures two hours later without my insulin jab. Also, Type 2s tend to have metabolic syndrome e.g. high cholestorol and high blood pressure as well as high BG, whereas LADAs tend to have normal cholestorol and blood pressure, so those tests might give you a clue - but they are indicative rather than conclusive. Finally, if you suspect you are LADA, insist on the GAD antibody test - you might have to fight for it, but it is important to get an accurate diagnosis. The medics will tell you it isn't because they treat LADA the same as Type 2 in its early stages, but medium term, all LADA sufferers will need insulin, so you need to be very aware that your condition could worsen rapidly and keep a very close eye on your levels. There is also growing evidence to suggest that early use of insulin in LADA sufferers can significantly delay the progression to full Type 1, so in my opinion it is important to know which form of diabetes you have.

Sorry that was so long! Hope it helps a bit.

Smidge

Hiya Malc!

Yes, I'd say you are probably Type 2 (although I'm not medically-qualified, so that's just an opinion, not a diagnosis!). The amount of carb you can tolerate at a sitting (about 40g) would nearly kill me :lol: I completely agree with you on the white flour by the way - I had one tortilla last night and sent my BG to 10.9 even with 3 units of insulin!

Not sure what you know about Type 2, so forgive me if I'm about to tell you stuff you know. One of the problems for Type 2s is that they tend to be insulin resistant (rather than insulin deficient). This means that they produce enough insulin but their bodies are unable to use it, so their blood ends up full of unused insulin and full of the glucose they have been unable to process because they couldn't use the insulin they produced. As insulin is the fat-making hormone, this tends to make people put on weight. So Type 2 is more common in overweight people, but it is also responsible for making people overweight. You said you were the top end of normal weight before you were diagnosed - the chances are you were putting weight on because of the undiagnosed Type 2. It's a bit of a catch 22 for Type 2s. There is a test to show if you are insulin resistant (fasting insulin test) but the NHS won't do that without a fight. The bottom line is that it is important for Type 2s to control their weight and to avoid overloading their systems with carb, because Type 2 is slowly progressive and insulin isn't a desirable treatment for people who are insulin resistant as it makes the situation worse. Therefore you need to keep on with what you are doing - lowish carb and plenty of exercise - but probably avoid the white flour altogether!

Good luck

Smidge