Type 2 DB on Insulin

[Lorna Tinker]

I became diabetic in my 50's at first I was on metformin then a couple of years later insulin.
Before I got my diagnosis the doctor tested me for thyroid problems etc. After months of them coming back as negative he asked me did I feel depressed. I did say I felt rather run down regarding my health, feeling tired and drained all the time. He put me on Prosac for 2 weeks, after finishing the course I went back he asked me how was I feeling. I informed him I just felt as bad. He prescribed another 2 weeks of Prosac and informed me it takes 4 weeks to get into your system. I popped in the chemist next door to get my prescription and I noticed they where offering free diabetic checks. I asked could I have one and the chemist said yes. He took me in a side room and pricked my finger for blood and put it in the monitor. I could tell by his face something was wrong. He said he was going to get another monitor to check the reading just to be sure. He left the room and came back 10 minutes later. He asked me to go back with him to the doctors next door as my reading was rather high. I asked what was it and he informed me it was 29. On going back to the doctors I asked him why he had not tested me for diebeties. He said because I was slim did not have a great thirst he didn't think it necessary. Oh by the way this doctor specialises in diabetes.

I get bit confused with Type 1 and Type 2. Most type 2 are on tablets only, so does this make me a Type 1 using insulin

 

[KateS14]

Hi Lorna.

No, being on insulin doesn't necessarily make you T1. I am T2, and have been on insulin since diagnosis a couple of months ago (recently started taking Metformin too, and gradually reducing the insulin dose, to the point where the DN is making encouraging noises about stopping it altogether).

My understanding from the forum is that plenty of T2's take insulin as part of their treatment.

As I understand it, the difference between T1 & T2 (rather simplistically put) is that T1's do not produce their own insulin, while T2's do produce their own Insulin, but the body is unable to use it efficiently...

I am sure that many more experienced members will correct me if I've got any of that wrong!

Still a bit new to this game, but have learnt SO much already from this forum and the support and information is fabulous!

 

[searley]

it's a common misconception that if you are on insulin you are T1 but that's not the case

quite a few T2's take insulin... they produce thier own but it's not effective enough so take more to control their BG

I t1's pancreas has ceased to finction

 

[Daibell]

Hi Probably worth saying that a proportion of slim people diagnosed as 'T2' are wrongly diagnosed as they may be late onset T1 (aka LADA). In this case the pancreas will be underproducing insulin rather than over-producing. If you are T2 with excess weight the fat build-up can prevent the body using the insulin it produces. There is a C-Peptide test that can help show how much insulin you are producing. LADAs will need insulin in the later stages. BTW I'm one of those slim 'T2's where my C-Peptide shows my insulin to be well below the normal level and my insulin is vital. Do keep the carbs down to a sensible level to minimise BS swings and avoid possible excess weight gain