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Type 2 Type 2? Opinions and Advice!

D

DTPhelan

Member
Messages
11
Location
Preston
Type of diabetes
Prefer not to say
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello All!! New to the forums and looking to get some input from the community.

I was diagnosed diabetic 4 weeks ago on 19/02/2019, followed up with diagnostic blood tests; HbA1c through the roof at 131!! Currently taking Metformin 500mg, two twice a day, and Gliclazide 40mg, one twice a day. This, combined with dietary changes and exercise (now go for quick power walks after meals) has brought my daily readings down to target range, with average over the past 2 weeks of 7.2.

Since my initial diagnosis however, I have been referred by a different doctor for further testing to determine whether I am type 1 or type 2, due to my age and the fact I am not overweight (so not typical type 2), and this appointment is due on 08/05/2019. I have done some reading into gliclazide though, both for personal reasons now as well as for my job as a pharmacist, and due to how it works to lower glucose levels I personally feel confident that I am type 2, as I feel I wouldn't be responding as well to the medication and lifestyle changes if I were type 1. Along with this, I have had 1 confirmed mild hypo, as well as 2 near hypos (caught in time as spotted telltale signs) which I can only attribute to the gliclazide as I know Metformin isn't known to cause hypos.

With all this in mind, I was just wondering if anyone here had been through anything similar, or had any input regarding whether I should be confident in my current assumption/diagnosis of type 2 or whether it is likely that I could still be type 1?

I personally am hoping that it does still come back as type 2, as whilst I have no issue with needles I don't want to have to inject if possible

Any information or advice that people can provide would be appreciated Thank you all in advance!

*UPDATE: Had Doctor's appointment this morning, to follow up some blood tests I had regarding my thyroid function. Been started on Levothyroxine 50mcg daily as underactive, and is showing as autoimmune, which alongside the other factors mentioned has furthered his belief that I am type 1 due to that also being an autoimmune condition. He has also put a note to the diabetic clinic to try and move my appointment forward as he believes 8th May is too long to wait. He would have started me on insulin then an there but can only be initiated by the clinic.*
 
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Well, people can be misdiagnosed as either type (sadly it happens, not to mention MODY etc).
The only way to know is by having the tests done and seeing how the numbers go.
 
@DTPhelan waiting till 8 May to have these tests is IMO way too long. What part of UK do you live? Couldnt your Dr expedite this appointment?
 
The tests to see if you may be Type 1 are the c-peptide and the GAD tests. Any GP can order these. Have you any idea why you have been referred elsewhere, or are you not in the UK?

There are many cases of misdiagnosis between T1 and T2. One common thing that happens is someone presents with high blood sugars, they are slim, active, and young. This in no way precludes T2. Plenty of T2s are of normal weight. Not all obese sloths as the media likes to make out!!!! Even children are being diagnosed T2 these days, so age is no barrier either.

All you can do is wait for your results, but please do let us know and keep posting.
 
With LADA (Type 1 for adults) it isn't so easy to say. It comes on slower than T1 in children and your pancreas might play along for a good time, making the gliclazide, dietary changes and exercise effective. Nothing in what you wrote clearly points to one type or the other.
I've had the test for C-peptide (result: could be any type) and anti-GAD (result: negative, but there are more antibodies, not all of them known). Specialist and I decided it was most likely LADA and didn't bother with the other antibodies tests, as I was already on insulin.
 
PenguinMum said:
@DTPhelan waiting till 8 May to have these tests is IMO way too long. What part of UK do you live? Couldnt your Dr expedite this appointment?
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I was thinking myself. Apparently though this was an *urgent* referral so I feel the Dr that referred has expedited it as much as she could. I live in Preston
 
Thank you. I am in the UK. Not sure why my Drs don't actually do that. I've been referred to the actual diabetic clinic where I live so I guess it's just how they work it where I'm at
 
DTPhelan said:
Thank you. I am in the UK. Not sure why my Drs don't actually do that. I've been referred to the actual diabetic clinic where I live so I guess it's just how they work it where I'm at
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Diabetic clinics normally deal with T1s. T2s are normally dealt with at the GP practice, with care devolved to a nurse. The medics in the diabetic clinics are specialists in diabetes, so you will be in good hands, but that wait is not acceptable if you are struggling to keep your levels down. If you can keep your levels down with your current diet and medication, you should have no reason to worry. Just keep testing, and if you see them rising drastically, then you need to make some noise about it.

PS you don't live very far from me. I'm in the Ribble Valley.
 
I thought that was the case. I have had an appointment with the diabetic nurse at my GP practice already as well to go over things.
I'm hoping all will go well at the clinic, and I'll be in good hands like you say.
The wait is a bit ridiculous to be fair (my mum was not impressed haha) but I'm managing well keeping my levels down without any real issues. And I'm regularly testing throughout the day. I'll be sure to try and get it forward of they do rise though!

Nice. Not too far away at all
 

Keep posting, read a lot of threads, and ask any questions you like.
 
Hiya, my story is similar to yours and I am also 26, slim and no other health problems. I was diagnosed diabetic on 1 November 2018.

I was initially started on metformin and cut out practically all carbs, but I couldn’t get my numbers into single figures. At the same time I lost a stone in 3 weeks.

I was then put on long acting insulin before then adding quick acting into the mix and now carb count. The insulin treatment is working well for me and I feel much better with more controlled levels (albeit still a bit high whilst I get used to carb counting!)

Just wanted to say don’t be surprised if the c peptide and GAD antibodies tests (which I assume you are having) come back inconclusive. For me, They have established that I do not have the anti bodies (but as mentioned above they can’t test for every antibody which causes diabetes) . But they have established that I produce very little of my own insulin.

They are now testing for MODY or alternatively they have said I may be T1 but in the honeymoon period where I am still producing a tiny bit of my own insulin. I don’t think they are convinced I am T2 as my consultant said in general T2 produce a lot of their own insulin but it just doesn’t get into the places it needs to be (clearly I am not producing enough).

Just try not to get frustrated if the diagnosis takes a long time, the most important thing is getting the correct treatment and learning to manage the condition - and if you are T2 then putting it into remission (if possible!).

I hope that you don’t need the insulin and can control with lifestyle and tablets, but I just wanted to say from personal experience, the insulin isn’t that bad and you get used to it .

Best of luck with everything and let us know how you get on!
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Keep posting, read a lot of threads, and ask any questions you like.
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Thank you! It certainly is good to know that there is a wide community where I can find help and advice! As an update, had doctors appointment this morning and he is going to try and get my appointment with the diabetic clinic moved forward as he also feels 8th May is too long to wait. So fingers crossed will hear something soon and can get it all sorted out!
 

This sounds very similar to my current situation. Only difference being I have been diagnosed with under-active thyroid alongside diabetes now. But yeah, doctors I've seen lately are convinced it's type 1 so will wait and see what the tests show. I'm sure I'll be able to manage with it if it comes back type 1, though I may take time getting used to properly counting carbs.

As for the insulin, I have no issues with needles so that should be fine, I just will have to get my head around actually having to inject on a daily basis.

Hoping to at least get some decent answers in good time as I'm due to go to America at the start of July so will need to know what I'll need to take etc. Right now though I'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for your reply and I'll be sure to post with how I get on
 
Hey,

Glad to know you’re not concerned about the needles. I also wasn’t concerned by the needles it’s more just trying to remember to take everything with you including the two insulin’s, needles, tester, glucose tablets and anything else lol!

Hope you get answers quicker than me!
 
And you will need to notify your travel and driving insurance people of your diagnosis. Not to mention the DVLA because you are taking Gliclazide - you need to read up on driving and diabetes with certain medications.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
And you will need to notify your travel and driving insurance people of your diagnosis. Not to mention the DVLA because you are taking Gliclazide - you need to read up on driving and diabetes with certain medications.
Click to expand...
I've already looked into the travel and DVLA stuff. Not fully actioned yet though. Regarding the travel I'm waiting until I know what I'll actually be taking with me if I end up on insulin. But yeah, I'm sorting that out
 
Yeah, that's going to be the annoying thing lol. I have a habit of checking I've got everything anyway when I go out somewhere (often multiple times) so hopefully should be okay on remembering
 
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