What type???

[Emma158]

Hi All,

This may sound like a silly question but is the antibody blood test the only way to tell whether you are Type 1? I was diagnosed almost 3 weeks ago after being sent to A&E with blood sugar of 21 and ketones 3+++ I am now injecting insulatard twice a day and taking gliclazide. The DN said she suspected I was Type 1 but my GP said he thinks it's more likely to be Type 2. Ultimately I suppose it's not that important at the moment so long as my BG levels are controlled but it is quite confusing when you are being given conflicting information and I guess I'm just a little impatient and want to learn as much about my condition as possible.

Emma

 

[ButtterflyLady]

Hi All,

This may sound like a silly question but is the antibody blood test the only way to tell whether you are Type 1? I was diagnosed almost 3 weeks ago after being sent to A&E with blood sugar of 21 and ketones 3+++ I am now injecting insulatard twice a day and taking gliclazide. The DN said she suspected I was Type 1 but my GP said he thinks it's more likely to be Type 2. Ultimately I suppose it's not that important at the moment so long as my BG levels are controlled but it is quite confusing when you are being given conflicting information and I guess I'm just a little impatient and want to learn as much about my condition as possible.

Emma

You might find the info on this page helpful, particularly the flowchart about the different blood tests you can have to try and find out which type you have:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/which-type-of-diabetes.html

It might pay to get referred to a diabetes specialist who (I think) can organise the tests.

 

[Emma158]

You might find the info on this page helpful, particularly the flowchart about the different blood tests you can have to try and find out which type you have:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/which-type-of-diabetes.html

It might pay to get referred to a diabetes specialist who (I think) can organise the tests.

Thank you for your reply. I am waiting for an appointment with the diabetes specialist so will know more then I guess. I had a look at the info so thank you for that. I'm not very good with the unknown.....

 

[Daibell]

Hi and welcome. I've been thru the same treadmill. Many GPs and DNs don't understand the range of diabetes conditions from straight, young T1 thru to older, overweight T2. Late onset T1 can be caused by things other than anti-bodies such as viruses, pancreatitis and so on. My GAD test done privately was negative but was done 8 years after diagnosis (I gave up with the GP) and NICE says the test becomes more unreliable as time progresses. My c-peptide was very low which confirmed the need for insulin which my GP initially said wasn't needed. The c-peptide is key as it indicates what your state of insulin is. T1 can come on at any age (oldest recorded is age 90) and is likely if you are slim at diagnosis and possibly lost weight unexpectedly recently. BTW, as things calm down if your blood sugar control isn't good enough then discuss moving to the Basal/Bolus regime with the GP/nurse. Aslo discuss whether Gliclazide should be continued with the insulin as the insulin does the job of Gliclazide and I had to suggest to my lovely DN that she stopped it which she readily agreed to.