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what type am i

totsy

totsy

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,041
Location
west yorkshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
liars, animal cruelty
hya all,
ive had diabetes for 4 yrs in july, i was told at the beginning i was type 1,now due to lots of hypos my dr says hes not sure as he believes im making insulin in the night,i am now confused and i suppose it doesnt really matter but when asked what type are you? it would be nice to know
thanks in advance
amanda :roll:
 
hello amanda,
Type 1 diabetics won't make insulin once their honeymoon period is over.
Unless you're having the longest honeymoon period in history then I'd say you are type 2.

I do like the idea of a pancreas that only works at night. It's a 50% improvement on mine.

all the best,
timo.
 
thanks tim,
what puzzles me is when i was diagnosed i had plus 4 ketones,if i was type 2 would that have still happened? thanks
amanda
 
To Totsy

I wouldn't presume that more hypos are caused by you producing insulin. I suspect you are probably on the wrong insuling regime for you, maybe even the wrong insulin completely. You didn't say how old you are, but although it is usually people up to their 20's that develop type-1, older people can develop it too. I have been insulin dependent for 19 years since my late teens, and have had times when I have wondered whether my pancreas has come back to life-I wish!
I would arm yourself with lots of info frm insulin manufacturers about the action of different insulins and discuss this with your doctor about what is the right dose based on the charts. Night hypos are definately a concern. Although if you are keeping tight control, hypos are an inevitable occurence. The important thing is to check your blood as you see fit, do lot let your doctor dictate how many glucose testing strips you are prescribed. Be aware that some GPs are not prescribing testing strips at all to type-2 diabetics, so retaining your original type-1 status may be very crucial to your care.
I have found that GPs I have seen in recent years are clueless about even the difference between type 1 and 2, which is shocking considering we are now forced to put our care in their hands. Some are also more concerned about their budgets rather than their patients, and try to restrict prescriptions for glucose testing strips, even to type-1 patients- so be wary. I have always been under a hospital consultant since my diagnosis, but I know that this is not always the case with newer diagnosed patients, as PCTs now allow GPs to run their own diabetic clinics. That's my experience anyway.
You are the person who needs to be in control of your diabetes, as everyone is different,and what works for one person may not work for another.
Good luck with it. :)
 
Sorry Amanda, my last message was for you, I put it to your user name.
Aplologies
Justine
 
thats fine ,
im 35 im on lantus once daily and metformin too,i was on novomix but that was doing no good,i am up and down with my sugars and gp says they are fine but i think i may be better on injections at mealtimes, it does get me down at times as my diabetes does rule my life grrr
have a good weekend ,amanda
 
hi SarahQ,
It was proved years ago that type 1's do produce insulin. Obviously it doesn't hang around in the system to long before it is distroyed again.
Click to expand...
would you happen to have any links to back this statement up.
I'm always eager to learn.

thanks.

kind regards,
timo.
 
I'd be wary of a GP who diagnoses you by whether you have hypos! Sounds like a cop-out rather than take the time finding a regime that suits you.
Several things can cause night hypos, eg exercise/alcohol affect your BG hours later.
I'd start by changing the time of your background insulin or divide the dose (assuming simply reducing the dose hasn't helped). At 8 units I was hi in the day but hypo at night, split the dose roughly 60%/40% - problem solved.
Your GP's doubts about what type you have is the perfect excuse for referral to an endocrinologist. Consultants and specialist nurses in large diabetes centres see loads of patients with different lifestyles/metabolism/regimes, they're up to date and experience is shared. They learn from us and we learn from them. Could possibly provide DAFNE/DESMOND training as appropriate too. Remember only about 10% of diabetics are T1 and non-standard types fewer than that, so most GPs don't see enough to become experts. They fail to diagnose people with typical diabetes symptoms because the patient is slim, or say things like "diabetic women can't have children".
You may just need to see the consultant/DSNs a few times then return to GP's care, but personally I'd stick with the experts if possible.
Don't get me started on being "managed" by a pharmacist! :evil:
Sue
 
I think some t1's will produce a wee dribble of insulin although most will make none at all. I'm in the latter category unfortunately.

There is one way to find out what your pancreas is up to. C-peptide is a by-product of insulin production by the beta cells. If you still have positive c-peptide readings, you're in business but if it's zero, then the game's up.

LittleSue makes a good point about splitting the Lantus dose though. I do the same thing - 5 units beore bed and 3 in the morning. That put a stop to the morning lows and kept bs's stable through the day.

All the best,

fergus
 
Hi all,
I'm a big fan of twice daily lantus.
started off with 50/50 split and now have a morning bias 12U/10U.

On the subject of autoimmune type 1's making insulin - I can't find anything on the web(yet)
to support the claim that type 1's make any insulin at all after their honeymoon period is over.

regards,
timo
 
hya timo,
im only on lantus and suffering as above,i take 28 units per day,do u think splitting it would be ok?
thanks amanda
 
hello amanda,
I personally found that Splitting the lantus 50/50 worked very well.
It removes the morning lows (if you're injecting at night) and
prevents tailing off later in the day.

Give it go. The only downside is the extra injection each day. 8)

Good luck,
Timo.
 
would you happen to have any links to back this statement up.
I'm always eager to learn.
Click to expand...

Joslin Scientists Discover Surprising Signs of Residual Islet Cell Functioning in People with Type 1 Diabetes in the 50-Year Medalist Study
http://www.hms.harvard.edu/news/pressreleases/jos/0606residual.html

People diagnosed in adulthood may also have a much longer honeymoon, the older the person at diagnosis the longer that honeymood may be see http://doctor.medscape.com/viewarticle/495366_7
 
hya timo,
i dont mind the injections so will do and thankyou :wink:
amanda
 
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