type 2 now type1 ??

[queque1]

Hi , i was diagnosed as type2 in december 2011. I was on 2000 mg metformin.
I was rushed into hospital with DKA after a viral infection in march this year. I was then diagnosed as type1 with the consultants saying it had been coming on slowly for a good while.. my question i cant seem to get a straight answer for is Can i be type 2 then be told im type 1.
I was under the impression that type 2s could have insulin but still be type 2.
Have i always been type1 ??
Thank you...

 

[tim2000s]

Sounds a lot like LADA. @LucySW and @iandp may be able to give more advice.

 

[Lazybones]

The answer to your question 'can a type 2 be told that their now a type1) and the answer is Yes.
As a Type 2 the pancreas is commonly placed under adverse stress as the beta cells attempt to clear the glucose from the bloodstream and they are frequently required to produce MORE insulin than would normally be required. This is also worsened by 'Insulin Resistance' another common factor in most Type 2's.
Eventually after many years of this situation the beta cells slowly start to fail (known as beta cell burn out) and the individual is frequently then required to inject insulin as a result.
Some times infections can worsen this situation and medical tests conducted on a blood sample to check for a specific type of antibody will reveal that the individual isn't in fact classified as being a type 1 or type 2, but falls into yet another grouping (type 1.5 or LADA (Slow onset diabetes))