Type 2? or something else?

Hi Jenfy,

I'm new to all this, but I'm starting to think along the same lines as I'm skinny too. I've been doing a bit of reading around and it sounds like LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults) is a possibility, which is sort of a mix between type 1 and 2, but is most similar to type 1 as it's an auto immune disease, where your own immune system attacks your beta cells, and you therefore will need insulin in the near future (3 to 12 years after diagnosis is what I've read).

Have a look at these links for some general info:

http://www.diabetesmine.com/2010/03/cla ... dults.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latent_autoimmune_diabetes

It seems that asking for a GAD (Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibodies tests) will identify whether or not we have LADA or type 2 diabetes, so I'm planning on going along to my GP next week to ask if this is possible. It also seems that the earlier this is caught the better, as small amounts of insulin therapy can be started right away, rather than waiting until all beta cell function has ceased.

It seem like I've only just got my head around my type 2 diagnosis, when this comes along and knocks me sideways again

Hopefully, that's some help to you, as I said, I'm all a bit new to this at the moment

I'd be very interested to know if you are tested and what the results are.

Hi. Around 20% of those diagnosed as 'Type 2' are not overweight and probably not insulin resistant. How did your GP determine that you were insulin resistant? If no tests were done then my guess is that you aren't. I never had any tests at diagnosis (other than a urine stick!) but was categorised as 'Type 2' but have never assumed I'm insulin resistant and the fact that Januvia works quite well for me proves the point that I lack available insulin rather than being overloaded with it and the muscles not able to use it. BTW I've never come accross anyone claiming that you can be insulin resistant and yet not producing enough; in extremis perhaps but not if you are normal weight?

Loathe to quote the DESMOND information but their view seemed to be that insulin resistance was closely linked to weight, especially round the middle of the body. Their "test" for whether you were insulin resistant was therefore that you were if things improved as you lost weight. If you lost a good bit of weight with little or no change to HbA1c readings, then the issue was more likely to be insulin production than insulin resistance.

There's some logic to this but I wouldn't want to promote it as gospel.

Hi Jenfy, my BMI is now 22 (was about 24) and I was already considered normal weight (the top end of that range though) I went on to lose 18lbs (over several months) thinking this would improve things, it didn't make a difference.

I'm still a newbie and trying to get my head round all this stuff (and this forum's been amazing)
but if you've been told you've got low insulin production then this is an indicator of T1.5/LADA or basically slow version of T1.

Interesting to learn that you've got insulin resistance too. I'm interested to know how they tested you for insulin resistence?

I've had the fasting c-peptide test a few months ago (which you probably had) and my insulin level showed normal and also no amount of exercise/dietry or my current medications are making a difference. I'm waiting on a specific test results for antibodies (they use to check for T1.5) to see if that helps to shed any further light at this stage.

Many thanks and good luck on your journey, always best to check on this forum because the internet is a headache for us that don't fit straight into a specific type of Diabetes.

Dougie22 said:

Loathe to quote the DESMOND information but their view seemed to be that insulin resistance was closely linked to weight, especially round the middle of the body. Their "test" for whether you were insulin resistant was therefore that you were if things improved as you lost weight. If you lost a good bit of weight with little or no change to HbA1c readings, then the issue was more likely to be insulin production than insulin resistance.

There's some logic to this but I wouldn't want to promote it as gospel.

Click to expand...

Hi All.
Have to echo and stress I agree totally with the info from dougie22 above, I didnt react at all with continuous high BG levels and little change to my HbA1c levels initially.
Was told by my HCP, DSN, Consultant that I am insulin deficient and with poor supply of insulin in the pancreas. Poor insulin production with poor insulin holding beta cells.
Even on levemir and victoza am still battling to get my BS levels down, for the couple of good days I may have , I outweigh with the rest being too high days! :?
According to my DSN it will take too much effort to get tighter control and be successful.
She wants me to think of other insulin therapy possibly in the new year?
Am allowed to run with BS higher levels to keep me safe, as to try and get them tighter will be too much for me. Given that I have recently had bowel surgery.
This knocked me sideways and has taken some getting over!
Anna.x

Dougie22 said:

Loathe to quote the DESMOND information but their view seemed to be that insulin resistance was closely linked to weight, especially round the middle of the body. Their "test" for whether you were insulin resistant was therefore that you were if things improved as you lost weight. If you lost a good bit of weight with little or no change to HbA1c readings, then the issue was more likely to be insulin production than insulin resistance.

There's some logic to this but I wouldn't want to promote it as gospel.

Click to expand...

Understand the logic, but could be flawed. If your BGs DO improve with weight loss, it could be as a result of reducing carbs which cause weight loss as well, but could still have aninsulin deficiency