Weight issues…

ClareBearJ said:

Bit of backstory to start. I was diagnosed in 2015 at 26. At the time I was told there wasn’t a particular test to see if it was type one or type two, but it was likely to be type 2 as I was massively overweight at 19-20 stone (5ft 6 woman).

I proceeded to lose 6+ stone in just over a year (without really trying) and then settled around 13 stone where I stayed for around 5 years.

My diabetes was never particularly controller and I was tried on various drugs including the weekly weight loss injection.

I recently reached out to my doctors and asked if I could have a libre sensor, as I wanted to get on top of things, I rarely finger pricked because it was always super high and out of sight out of mind.

I was given a libre and started on insulin, things are so much better now. My diabetic nurse did a blood test and the result came back that I’m type one, which I’m finding hard to believe.

Anyway here’s the issue, since starting on insulin earlier in the year I have gained 3 stone which really isn’t good.

Was my super high sugar level the cause of my initial weight loss? And does anyone know what the test is that determines type one or type two?

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Losing weight without trying is often an indicator for T1, and it kind of seems the onset was slow, so you spent quite some time in the honeymoon period? It's a bit weird that they said there are no tests to check for type, as that's basically a blatant lie. Usually C-peptide and GAD tests are used to see whether you make insulin, and/or have the most common antibodies (T1 have anti-bodies killing off the pancreas, dropping the output, T2 have insulin resistance so cannot use their own insulin, completely different conditions and thus, one can test for it!). Anyway... Being high all the time can indeed kickstart weightloss you don't intend to experience, which really isn't a good thing and can possibly become dangerous with ketoacidosis in the mix.

I don't know whether you can carb-count or are on a fixed dose, but if you can decide on your own bolus/basal needs, you could lower your carb intake a little. Be careful not to overshoot the insulin, because you'll hypo on actual low carb most likely, if you don't take it slow and see what's what. But if it's weight you're worried about, maybe look into that? I'm a T2 mind you, so over all rather useless, but I'm sure someone more knowledgable'll be around soon. (And probably kick my behind for b*tting in where I have no business doing so, haha)

Good luck,
Jo

If you have Type 1 diabetes (welcome to the club), you should be on a basal bolus insulin(one or two injections of slow acting insulin and fast acting insulin whenever you eat) regime with the knowledge to adjust your insulin dose depending upon what you eat.

A course like DAFNE (there may be local alternatives) will give you the knowledge you need to adjust your insulin. If this is not available, you can use the online equivalent BERTIE but will miss out the opportunity to talk to other people with Type 1 diabetes.

Once you have the correct insulin and knowledge how to use and adjust it, you can use the same weight loss diet as someone without diabetes will use.

It is important to understand that by injecting insulin, you are replacing the insulin that your body is unable to produce. Insulin alone does not cause weight gain (although lack of insulin can cause weight loss) whether it is produced by your body or injected.

(mod edit to comply with forum ethos)

ClareBearJ said:

Bit of backstory to start. I was diagnosed in 2015 at 26. At the time I was told there wasn’t a particular test to see if it was type one or type two, but it was likely to be type 2 as I was massively overweight at 19-20 stone (5ft 6 woman).

I proceeded to lose 6+ stone in just over a year (without really trying) and then settled around 13 stone where I stayed for around 5 years.

My diabetes was never particularly controller and I was tried on various drugs including the weekly weight loss injection.

I recently reached out to my doctors and asked if I could have a libre sensor, as I wanted to get on top of things, I rarely finger pricked because it was always super high and out of sight out of mind.

I was given a libre and started on insulin, things are so much better now. My diabetic nurse did a blood test and the result came back that I’m type one, which I’m finding hard to believe.

Anyway here’s the issue, since starting on insulin earlier in the year I have gained 3 stone which really isn’t good.

Was my super high sugar level the cause of my initial weight loss? And does anyone know what the test is that determines type one or type two?

Click to expand...

Hi,

What insulin/s have you been prescribed?
Are you instructed on or given diet plan..?
Weight loss happened to me prior to my T1 diagnosis.

I’m going to tag in @Antje77 , who may be able to comment further on your query..

ClareBearJ said:

Was my super high sugar level the cause of my initial weight loss?

Click to expand...

Unexpected weight loss is one of the very common symptoms in T1 with very high blood glucose.
Seeing as you lost over 6 stones initially, it can well be that your body is gaining now it can finally use those nutrients again instead of being in a state of starving.

ClareBearJ said:

And does anyone know what the test is that determines type one or type two?

Click to expand...

There are different possible tests, and they're not always easy to interpret.
Do you have access to your results so you can see what tests you had?

C-peptide is a likely one, it shows how much insulin you produced at the time of testing. If it's very low, it's a very strong pointer for T1. But it needs to be interpreted alongside your blood glucose at the moment of testing unless the result is very clear.
You may also have had tests for antibodies, anti-GAD being the most common one but there are others as well. Positive antibodies plus diabetes = T1. But a negative result on antibodies doesn't rule out T1.

What about simply asking your diabetes nurse what tests you had and explain the diagnosis to you?

ClareBearJ said:

I’m still struggling to believe I’m a T1, T2 seems far more likely.

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Both your age at diagnosis plus your unintended weight loss are good reasons to look into other types of diabetes than T2.
I'd really contact your diabetes nurse to ask about the tests that have been done to rediagnose you.

Hi, even if you're type 1 with good management you can still achieve a healthy weight loss. It is very n9rmal to regain some weight as your sugars start to stabilise but this will right itself. Carb counting works great for me for both weight management and keeping my sugars within a normal range. I eat a lot less rubbish and meaure my insulin to the carbs I eat. Other than that it's the same for everyone 'eat less move more' lol. It is a way of life I have to stick with and tbh its very normal to me now.

Hi, I was misdiagnosed after being type two for years, I actually find the experience quite useful when reading the forum because I can sympathize with 1&2 types lol.
According to Dr Jason Fung (YouTube) insulin resistance and therefore high levels of unused insulin can block our use of our fat store and make it easy to gain weight, worth a watch when you have an hour, enlightening (was for me anyway) best of luck.