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UPDATE SUSPECTED LADA.Newly diagnosed, questions about exercise

S

SareN

Active Member
Messages
44
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi Everyone,

This is my first time posting here so apologies if I have posted in the wrong place or wrong format.

I have listed myself as type 2 as I am awaiting official diagnosis of type from a consultant.

A bit of background on me, i was diagnosed as diabetic in February with a HBA1C of 11.7% and blood glucose of 17.1. I have had a bit of a rough patch with two early miscarriages in the last year which I am beginning to think could have been related to the diabetes. As it was quite a stressful time, I lost about half a stone in weight which I put down to the grief. In the new year I decided to try and gain some weight but found it very difficult regardless of how much I ate. This is what prompted me to go to the doctors.
The docs referred me to a consultant for type 1 tests as they described me as Atypical (I have a BMI of about 20 and am very fit, I was a group exercise instructor for 14 years and continue to go to fitness classes most days). Unfortunately due to the current situation with coronavirus, my appointment was cancelled and I am still awaiting a new date.
In the meantime I was placed on glicazide, given a blood glucose monitor and told to check bloods. I follow the book and do fasting, 2hrs after breakfast and then before and after lunch and dinner and then before bedtime.
I read on this forum about LCHF and decided to adopt that approach. Within a week I was down to single figures. I then started to have lower figures...some 4's after exercise so I was taken off the glicazide and given metformin, one tablet at breakfast and one at dinner. (Another reason for this is that you cant try for a baby whilst on glicazide.) I have maintained single figures since.... generally my fasting is 5 or 6 and throughout the day tends to be 6 and 7 with the occasional 8.
These seem to fluctuate around my menstrual cycle but have generally maintained nicely.
Yesterday I did my usual body pump workout (weights based class) and felt a bit faint part way through but was able to carry on. When I took my blood sugar after the workout it was 8.5. Since then my blood sugar seems to be stuck around that mark. If I do a walk it drops mid walk (5's and 6's) but then goes up again when I get back. I have managed a few readings in the 7's today (fasting and one other) but it seems to want to gravitate towards 8.
My blood sugar does sometimes go to 8 after intense exercise but it comes back down after. I dont know what I have done wrong. I spoke to the diabetic nurse today who said not to worry as 8 is ok and that it will probably settle over the next few days. I know 8 isnt mega high but I just find it disheartening that I have been doing so well and then one exercise class has caused this.
If I am eating LCHF, do I still need to eat carbs before the exercise? The breakfast I had before the exercise was low carb (3 egg omelette with red pepper, feta and avocado) this is nothing out of the ordinary. I didnt think I would have to fuel exercise with carbs as I've been ok so far but am beginning to think I've got this wrong.
Any thoughts/help would be appreciated. I feel quite alone with all this!
 
Hi SareN and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear about your issues and your miscarriages – there aren't words to express how awful they are.

It's fantastic that you found about LCHF so quickly; really well done on that count. It could well be that you are Type 1 instead of Type 2, although those test results will be the only way to be sure. If you are, then injecting insulin will be the only way to get truly normal blood sugar levels. It's a huge achievement to be in the 8s without injecting if you are Type 1 though. Those numbers aren't what you want in the long run, but that really is impressive. Is there any way you can apply a bit of pressure to your healthcare team? I know that the whole NHS is strained with Covid-19, but your health is really important too. If you are Type 1 then you need to know, and your specialist or GP need to talk to you (likely by phone at the moment) about insulin doses.

I hope things get easier for you in the near future, and that in a few months you're fully on track (and able to go outside again!).
 
Thanks for your reply. When I spoke to the nurse today she said that 8 is "ok" and we have to settle for "ok" at the moment.
I asked at what point should I be concerned and she said if I have a few days of readings in double figures the I should get back in touch.
This is similar to the advice I got when the hospital called to cancel my consultants appointment. They said single figures shows good control and if I start to get double figures for a few days, call the GP's office for advice.

My diabetic nurse said I don't fit the bill for type 1 or type 2. I have read about LADA and suspect that could be a possibility. I also do have a family history of type 2 (my dad, grandad, grandads bro and my great grandmother) so it really is a case of waiting for these tests. It's just scary not knowing if its suddenly going to go out of control which I understand can happen with type 1 and LADA. That's why suddenly being stuck at 8 makes me feel really anxious. Its weird because both pre and post meals are 8 ish. I even did several tests after eating to see if its rising higher but it seems fixed at 8.
I have done a control test on my meter to check it's not that.
Will have to see what happens over the next few days.
If I turn out to be type 1 or lada and end up on insulin, is it manageable and can you lead a normal life?
 
Hi, it sounds like you are fit, motivated and disciplined so you'll have no problems whatever your diabetic test says.
I'm a type 1 diabetic for 57 years now and have a great life, I've been able to do things and have a lifestyle that is very satisfying, ski racer, ski teacher, lead motorbike tours, build Eco houses, etc
I've had to make my diabetes the pillar around which my life turns. If my diabetes control and understanding is good I can do anything.
The blood sugar highs and lows have a big effect on emotions.
I found that beer and marijuana had terrible effects on my diabetes so I don't touch them.
Regular exercise is a building block for good diabetic control; I found that intense, tough training raises my blood sugar a lot and have to inject insulin to deal with it. Endurance training at slower pace doesn't have that effect and I have to be careful to take oat bars or something.
Porridge oats are one of the best foods for long term energy release.
Just a few thoughts about my experiences.
I've learnt so much about my food choices, how I exercise and healthy life style decisions from being a diabetic that, while I don't want anyone to have it, I think it's been very beneficial to me over the long term.
Wishing you a happy and healthy life !
Denis
 
Thanks @deniski for your reply. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences with me. My biggest fear is that I will ever have to give up exercise so your post is very reassuring.
 
@SareN . Welcome to the forum.
It’s imperative that you get a definitive diagnosis.
If you are in the early stages of developing type 1 diabetes then making the dietary changes that you have made recently will ultimately lead to better BS levels. Unfortunately this will only be a temporary fix.
When I first started on this journey I was extremely active and probably went 6 months plus feeling okayish but it does and will get to you eventually. The sooner you get a full and proper diagnosis the better.
What you have posted would point to a T1 diagnosis. As for the 8’s. Honestly that isn’t a bad number. If you are diagnosed you’ll soon realise that an 8 is a blessed relief sometimes.
Hopefully the current situation will change and you as an individual will be given the priority you need and deserve.
 
Thanks @therower I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Yes I know am 8 isn't terrible and I feel awful moaning about it when I see what others are up against. I think it's just that fear and anxiety of not knowing what type I am and not knowing how long metformin with diet will help. Everytime I get higher than my normal readings I just panic. If my appointment would have been just a few days earlier, it would have gone ahead and I'd probably have some answers by now.
I also suspect the type 1 (slow onset) because of my size and lifestyle but I also do have a strong family history for type 2. I just need to have the tests but I dont know when that will be with the current situation.
 
@SareN . It’s a very difficult time all round but you shouldn’t feel awful. Covid is the main topic at the moment but nonetheless life and all it’s ups and downs continues.
I can only offer what I believe. Stick to your new diet, most definitely keep exercising and try not to get paranoid with BS readings. If you were to carry on like this for the foreseeable future you are going to be okay.
Good luck and if you have any concerns just ask here. Although we’re not doctors or endos we have some extremely knowledgable individuals who have years of experience.
 
Just to add to others reassurance, regardless of what type of diabetes you have you can have a completely normal life if you have the right mindset - and it sounds like you do. I’m very sorry to hear about your miscarriages and right now I expect you are focusing on getting your own health sorted (definitely a good idea), but if ever you are trying to conceive again there are plenty of women on here (myself included) who have had successful pregnancies while managing diabetes - the pregnancy forum is very supportive.
 
Thanks @ArtemisBow. I must admit, my biggest fear is how diabetes will affect pregnancy, so I really appreciate your reassurance that it can happen.
 
Thanks @therower, reading these forums has been a god send over the past few weeks and I have learned so much. I am very grateful for all the advice everyone is giving.
 
Hi @SareN ,

Welcome to the forum.
You have posted in the right place.

Your numbers seem to be reasonable considering.
The rise after certain excersise can happen due to the liver dumping glycogen?

Just keep asking, there are plenty of experinced who can help out.

Good luck with your results.
 
You personally and everyone generally has had a lot of stress which can raise bgl of any D type. Understanding and controlling your carbs for the effect they have on bgl is without doubt the best thing you can do for type 2 and still an incredibly useful awareness for a type 1. If you are fighting an illness/infection even a mild otherwise unremarkable one this can effect bgl. Things like sleep too.

You are testing regularly so will spot a significant rise and can act quickly on it. Try to see the reassurance in this. It might return to your normal soon. But, I agree with the advice above to push for the additional tests for type 1. Hospitals are today telling people not to neglect other serious conditions. Perhaps someone can order the appropriate tests now rather than wait for an appointment to discuss them first. Then you’ll know if you even need to see a specialist or not.
 
Thanks @Jaylee and @HSSS I'm finding these forums so helpful and really appreciate your comments. It's all so new but it is reassuring to know how much support there is here.
I will push for the type 1 tests. The diabetes nurse was adamant on the phone that nothing is happening at the moment but hopefully that will change in a few weeks.
 
so I just had the news that my antibody test was positive so the indication is type 1, I presume slow onset. I think she said my antibody result was 20 and apparently although positive its low positive!? (She referred to me as rare!)
I have spent lockdown eating low carb (pretty much under 20g per day plus lots of exercise) and it has been so challenging. Although numbers have been single digits, I have started to see more 8's and 9's recently whereas before there were lots of 5's and 6's. HBA1C result I had two weeks ago is 6.8% (down from 11.7% in February)
its taken so long to get to even talk to anyone so a part of me is just so relieved to have some answers....the other part of me is naturally sad at the diagnosis.
I just spoke to a nurse and thankfully I can go in and see her on Monday. She wants me to start eating a normal level of carbs again so she can see what is really going on. I will do this but a part of me is petrified of seeing the big numbers again and feeling rubbish. She said she can't give insulin without seeing the figures but I feel insulin is what I need long term and to try and find some level of normality ever again.
I have spent a lot of this morning in tears.....three months after initial diabetes diagnosis, its felt like such a long wait to get answers after what had already been a turbulent few years with not feeling myself and having two miscarriages.
Just after some reassurance from LADA/type 1 people out there that life can be happy again after a diagnosis and that insulin isn't the end of the world.
Also any idea what will happen at this appointment on Monday or any questions I should be asking?
Thanks in advance
Sarah
 
Sorry to hear you’re struggling with all this. Normality will come again, eventually and I’m sure some other type 1’s will come along soon.

I’m assuming she wants you to increase carbs so she can match insulin to your “normal” way of eating. You have the choice what is “normal“ for you for her to match. Each type 1 will have their own preferences how many they like to eat.
 
Insulin is not the end of the world. Personally, I'm more of the mind - those poor type twos, they have to permanently worry about what they're eating. I can eat anything I want, and use insulin to cover the glucose!! (OK, there are obvious common sense limits, but there are for non-diabetics too.)

The other good news, if it's LADA you're going to be eased into it. Normal type ones (juveniles) have a pancreas that goes from 100% to 0% over days, if not hours. Some type LADAs have a honeymoon that lasts for years. Your pancreas should still be capable of 'topping up' your insulin if needed, and helping match your glucose to your insulin.

Eat the diet you would like to eat permanently over the weekend. The nurse can then look at your blood glucose readings and estimate reasonable meal doses. She should give you an idea of how to adjust doses, possibly how to combine carb counting with your insulin-to-carb ratio, and adding to your dose if your blood glucose is high before a meal. I don't know if it's all pens these days, or if you still get the option of a syringe and vial. I suppose you'll find out.

Make sure you have some way of getting into contact with someone at night/weekends (even if it's the local A&E). I have spent hours sitting down thinking do I call the ambulance or don't I. How serious is this mistake I just made?

Other than that, I can't really think of anything essential. I'm sure people will come and point out my obvious omissions soon.
 
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