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Type 1 or Type 2

Aaron187

Aaron187

Active Member
Messages
31
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello I'm Aaron I was diagnosed with diabetes on the 7th September still unsure as to what type I have they sent the wrong bloods to be tested I'm being treated for type 1 at the moment. I'm taking 500mgs of metformin and 22 units of lantus insulin. I don't see the specialist until 3rd November so I hope I find out by Christmas
 
Welcome @Aaron187 :)

What a nuisance they sent the wrong bloods. I hope you can get an answer quickly.

How are your blood sugars?
 
All over they start off OK in the morning but end up high before bed Saturday morning 7.4 then dropped to 4.8 before lunch then shot up to 14.7 before bed
 
How on earth do they manage to send the wrong bloods? How frustrating for you. Do you know what results you are waiting on now - is it a GAD test?

It sounds like you are being treated as a type 2 at the moment. A newly diagnosed type 1 would usually have quick acting insulin and pretty close contact with a DSN. And they'd be unlikely to be on metformin.

If you are waiting to see a specialist, you should also have access to the diabetic specialist nurses. If you are struggling with bloods all over the place, call the DSN for help.

How old are you? What's your BMI? What's your diagnosis story - what were your symptoms, had you lost weight, what was your blood sugar on diagnosis, did you have ketones?
 
Aaron187 said:
All over they start off OK in the morning but end up high before bed Saturday morning 7.4 then dropped to 4.8 before lunch then shot up to 14.7 before bed
Click to expand...

I hope the specialist helps you. The meds you're on are more suited to a Type 2. If your blood sugar is going up during the day, it's possible you might need a fast acting insulin too to deal with your meals.

Edited to add - I hope the right bloods have now been sent away?
 
catapillar said:
How on earth do they manage to send the wrong bloods? How frustrating for you. Do you know what results you are waiting on now - is it a GAD test?

It sounds like you are being treated as a type 2 at the moment. A newly diagnosed type 1 would usually have quick acting insulin and pretty close contact with a DSN. And they'd be unlikely to be on metformin.

If you are waiting to see a specialist, you should also have access to the diabetic specialist nurses. If you are struggling with bloods all over the place, call the DSN for help.

How old are you? What's your BMI? What's your diagnosis story - what were your symptoms, had you lost weight, what was your blood sugar on diagnosis, did you have ketones?
Click to expand...
I'm 36 I lost between 3 and 4 stone. I have no idea what my bmi is. Also I'm not sure what test it is important waiting for all I know is its something to do with antibodies
 
catapillar said:
How on earth do they manage to send the wrong bloods? How frustrating for you. Do you know what results you are waiting on now - is it a GAD test?

It sounds like you are being treated as a type 2 at the moment. A newly diagnosed type 1 would usually have quick acting insulin and pretty close contact with a DSN. And they'd be unlikely to be on metformin.

If you are waiting to see a specialist, you should also have access to the diabetic specialist nurses. If you are struggling with bloods all over the place, call the DSN for help.

How old are you? What's your BMI? What's your diagnosis story - what were your symptoms, had you lost weight, what was your blood sugar on diagnosis, did you have ketones?
Click to expand...
My blood sugar on diagnosis was 21.7 I also had lots of sugar in my urine
 
azure said:
I hope the specialist helps you. The meds you're on are more suited to a Type 2. If your blood sugar is going up during the day, it's possible you might need a fast acting insulin too to deal with your meals.

Edited to add - I hope the right bloods have now been sent away?
Click to expand...
Bloods won't be done until I see the specialist. It could be type 2 but I was under the impression that insulin is for type 1. To be honest I don't have a clue it's a lot to take in and i can't get my head round things my diet has changed dramatically but I also have epilepsy
 
Aaron187 said:
Bloods won't be done until I see the specialist. It could be type 2 but I was under the impression that insulin is for type 1. To be honest I don't have a clue it's a lot to take in and i can't get my head round things my diet has changed dramatically but I also have epilepsy
Click to expand...
My bgl before breakfast today was 6.7 and I forgot to have breakfast now my bgl before lunch has gone up to 8.3 I really don't understand why as I've not eaten yet
 
Aaron187 said:
My bgl before breakfast today was 6.7 and I forgot to have breakfast now my bgl before lunch has gone up to 8.3 I really don't understand why as I've not eaten yet
Click to expand...
Unfortunately diabetes isn't linear in terms of blood glucose. If some skip meals it goes down, in others it goes up.

I hope your bloods come back soon as it looks as though you're needing quick acting insulin too. Although I may be wrong. If you're T2, you'll need more basal insulin.

The rapid weight loss points towards T1. Are you aware if the hospital tested you for ketones?
 
Aaron187 said:
Bloods won't be done until I see the specialist. It could be type 2 but I was under the impression that insulin is for type 1. To be honest I don't have a clue it's a lot to take in and i can't get my head round things my diet has changed dramatically but I also have epilepsy
Click to expand...

Some Type 2s take insulin too. It is confusing when you suddenly get something you've not had to think about before.

The basic difference is that Type 1 is an auto-immune disease. For some reason, the immune system starts attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. When enough have them have been destroyed, the body is no longer able to control its blood sugar, and needs insulin injections to replace the insulin the destroyed cells made.

There are tests that can look for the antibodies that are part of the auto-immune attack.

Sorry you're having to deal with epilepsy too. I hope all this hasn't affected that.

Write down any questions you have before you see the specialist, and also take pen and paper to make notes. When I was first diagnosed and saw the consultant, my head was so full of things that I struggled to remember everything they said.

Good luck :)
 
Aaron187 said:
I'm 36 I lost between 3 and 4 stone. I have no idea what my bmi is. Also I'm not sure what test it is important waiting for all I know is its something to do with antibodies
Click to expand...

That does sound like the GAD test then - to look for the antibodies involved in Type 1.

If your weight loss was sudden and pretty dramatic, that could be Type 1 - losing weight for no reason.

But you'll need to wait for the tests to get a better idea of which type you are.
 
azure said:
Some Type 2s take insulin too. It is confusing when you suddenly get something you've not had to think about before.

The basic difference is that Type 1 is an auto-immune disease. For some reason, the immune system starts attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. When enough have them have been destroyed, the body is no longer able to control its blood sugar, and needs insulin injections to replace the insulin the destroyed cells made.

There are tests that can look for the antibodies that are part of the auto-immune attack.

Sorry you're having to deal with epilepsy too. I hope all this hasn't affected that.

Write down any questions you have before you see the specialist, and also take pen and paper to make notes. When I was first diagnosed and saw the consultant, my head was so full of things that I struggled to remember everything they said.

Good luck :)
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
Aaron187 said:
My bgl before breakfast today was 6.7 and I forgot to have breakfast now my bgl before lunch has gone up to 8.3 I really don't understand why as I've not eaten yet
Click to expand...

Eating isn't the only thing that impacts on blood sugar. Have you got a number for the diabetic specialist nurses - they should be available to offer some assistance until you see the specialist.

Yes a GAD test is an antibody test. It can take a little while to get the results so you might not get a definite answer when you see the doctor. But regardless of type, they should still be able to help with steps on getting your blood sugar more stable.
 
azure said:
That does sound like the GAD test then - to look for the antibodies involved in Type 1.

If your weight loss was sudden and pretty dramatic, that could be Type 1 - losing weight for no reason.

But you'll need to wait for the tests to get a better idea of which type you are.
Click to expand...
Yes it was sudden weight loss and I wasn't even trying to lose weight I guess it would of been of a period of 3 months. I had all the symptoms of type 1 but won't know until I see specialist
 
Hi. The sudden weight loss and high sugar levels point strongly to Late onset T1. Metformin is often given to T1s as it helps a little with blood sugar but has protective properties for the heart; I'm still on it as my DN said to stay on it for it's non-diabetes benefits. I suspect once you are a confirmed T1, a rapid insulin will be added. if not do ask (insist) to have this as well as the Basal. Also ask about carb-counting with it.
 
Daibell said:
Hi. The sudden weight loss and high sugar levels point strongly to Late onset T1. Metformin is often given to T1s as it helps a little with blood sugar but has protective properties for the heart; I'm still on it as my DN said to stay on it for it's non-diabetes benefits. I suspect once you are a confirmed T1, a rapid insulin will be added. if not do ask (insist) to have this as well as the Basal. Also ask about carb-counting with it.
Click to expand...
Thanks Diabell 1 question though what's basal
 
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