Hi, I was diagnosed as type 1/LADA 2 months ago and started controlling BG with insulin. I informed the DVLA and my insurance about this. I've been reducing my carbs and insulin injections for a while and for the last two weeks, have not used any insulin. While I am in the honeymoon period and able to control BG using diet, can I reinform the DVLA of this? If I have a BG of 4.5 before driving, as I am at no risk of a hypo, there's no logical reason for me to eat haribo, but currently there is a legal one. I am planning on going proper keto soon after consultation with a dietician and I don't know how I would be able to bring my BG up before driving without consuming carbs. Does anyone have any experience of this? Thanks in advance.
Type 1/LADA currently not using insulin
- Thread starter NoopNoop
- Start Date
- Messages
- 1,997
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
- Diabetes, not having Jaffa Cake
I wouldn’t, as you will need insulin at some point and if you’ve not had insulin there is no legal reason for you to eat prior to driving as the rules are if you do take insulin you ‘should not’ start a journey if lower than five, but not to drive below four
I’ve emphasised ‘should’ as this is suggestive not a ‘must’. You must not drive hypo which is anything below four
I’ve emphasised ‘should’ as this is suggestive not a ‘must’. You must not drive hypo which is anything below four
In Response
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 3,839
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
Why do you want to go keto?
Are you aware that taking insulin (and eating a "normal" diet) will protect your insulin producing cells for longer and eating low carb will increase your insulin resistance?
- Messages
- 1,997
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
- Diabetes, not having Jaffa Cake
I mirror this t1/lada you WILL need insulin at some point, and keto won't offer the benefits that it does to T2
if you eat a normal sensible diet, and take insulin, you bodies insulin will last much longer as the body has to produce much less, and you could go for many years still producing insulin.. that actually makes control much easier and your own insulin provides a buffer in both directions, if you take to little insulin you body will pop some out, but if you take slightly to much you body will shoot out less.. less likely to have the high highs and low lows
becca59
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,970
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
My Question is why are you worried about the DVLA? You’ve told them you will not have to reapply for three years, and by then you could be well in to insulin use. It’s not worth the effort.
- Messages
- 1,997
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
- Diabetes, not having Jaffa Cake
[emoji6
][emoji6
]" data-quote="becca[emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]" data-source="post: 0"
class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">
I think it was more about the blood reading of 4.5which in reality you should not ‘start’ to drive if on insulin
][emoji6
]" data-quote="becca[emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]" data-source="post: 0"
class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch">
I think it was more about the blood reading of 4.5which in reality you should not ‘start’ to drive if on insulin
Legally, if I've not had any insulin and therefore no risk of hypo on that journey, do I need to do a prick test? I couldn't find that anywhere. I have been prescribed it, but currently not needing to use it.
Yes, that's what I'm trying to find out - the DVLA and my insurers currently think I am taking insulin and I'm expected to do prick tests before driving. If I am not taking the insulin, can I drive without a prick test? Seems it would be logical for this to be a blanket rule, in case of accidents and insurance? I'm guessing that my BG monitor will be looked at if I have an accident to see when I last did a test so the insurers can get out of paying? If there's no evidence of a prick test happening, they may not pay up, as there's no way of ascertaining if I injected any insulin that day or not?
I had heard something like that, yes. I'm little confused by that though. I have a friend who's a retired GP, diagnosed as T1/LADA three years ago, originally misdiagnosed as type 2, went keto straight away then when T1/LADA was confirmed was told to go on insulin and eat carbs. She met quite a lot of resistance and stayed on keto and continues to control BG with diet and exercise alone. She just went on a retreat where doctors were coaching people on keto diet and exercise to help manage BG and for people using insulin, they all greatly reduced their doses. From my 6 weeks of using insulin, I found I was hypoing all the time and when asking about insulin/carb ratios to try to accurately dose, was told this wasn't really possible yet as I was in the honeymoon period. It seemed I was destined for incredibly sporadic BG that was almost impossible to accurately calculate appropriate doses for until this honeymoon period was over. Is that not the case? What am I missing here? I saw a video of Feinstein saying that keto diet can prolong the honeymoon period. I've come across so much conflicting information, I just don't know what to think.
I'm also LADA but before I was rediagnosed from T2, I did try keto. It wasn't that helpful for me and I think because I wasn't making any/much basal insulin so I could never get my blood glucose low enough with diet alone. I think you're going to need at least a basal insulin at some point
- Messages
- 1,997
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
- Diabetes, not having Jaffa Cake
I think a reading of supplied info is required, because if it say something along the lines of while using insulin, and you are not then there would be no requirement, however testing and getting into the habit of doing it will allow you to keep an eye on your levels
And if you are t1/lada. Then as already stated taking some insulin even if just basal will help preserve your own insulin supply and make control easier for longer…. So stopping altogether may not be wise and should be discussed with your care team
