What's the difference LADA and T1?

[SueJB]

Sunny morning all!
When I was first sent to hospital, extreme thirst, weight loss, sugar in urine etc. I was put a saline drip, oodles of blood taken. They couldn't decide if I was type 1 or type 2 so they decided to treat it "aggressively" ie insulin from day 2. Now I'm not although quite sure that I've been told that's Type 1. Total insulin basal + bolus is about 14 units per day.
I've heard about the honeymoon period but here's the question eventually, sorry about the ramble. What's the difference between type1 honeymoon and LADA?

 

[paulus1]

how old are you any history of it in your close family. that dose of insulin is low. imagine lada like a cross between type 1 and 2 its usually a bit slower than a type1 to come on and your usually older. you need to be tested positive for antibodies you will end up on permanent insulin like type 1s. its a shame there is no simple blood test that can say.

 

[SueJB]

how old are you any history of it in your close family. that dose of insulin is low. imagine lada like a cross between type 1 and 2 its usually a bit slower than a type1 to come on and your usually older. you need to be tested positive for antibodies you will end up on permanent insulin like type 1s. its a shame there is no simple blood test that can say.

I'm 64 and my paternal grandmother and paternal aunt were both T1. I was "diagnosed" in Aug 2017
Basal 5 units twice a day. Bolus 1 to 2 units depending what I'm eating. I think they tested for everything but not sure HbA1c done in the first week was 118. If I've been put on insulin, I thin it's a done deal but I keep hoping it's wrong. Boowee

 

[paulus1]

most likely type 2 but it really does not matter as your on insulin.

 

[paulus1]

congrats yours was higher than mine 106. if you can get good control and im afraid thats by diet you may get off it if your type 2.

 

[SueJB]

most likely type 2 but it really does not matter as your on insulin.

Hi, I think it does matter. I don't actually want to be on insulin

 

[SueJB]

congrats yours was higher than mine 106. if you can get good control and im afraid thats by diet you may get off it if your type 2.

Thanks. My carbs range from 40-60g a day. Suppose it might be an idea to get another HbA1c done. I keep wondering why they say I'm type 1 especially being 64 when diagnosed

 

[Bluetit1802]

Thanks. My carbs range from 40-60g a day. Suppose it might be an idea to get another HbA1c done. I keep wondering why they say I'm type 1 especially being 64 when diagnosed

If your last HbA1c was in August, you should have been called in for another one before now. As you are on insulin your HbA1c will have come down if you have been getting it right.
What does your GP say?
It isn't the HbA1c that defines what type you are though. The tests normally done are the C-Peptide and GAD tests. If you had these you really need to know the results, so I suggest you try to find out.

 

[SueJB]

If your last HbA1c was in August, you should have been called in for another one before now. As you are on insulin your HbA1c will have come down if you have been getting it right.
What does your GP say?
It isn't the HbA1c that defines what type you are though. The tests normally done are the C-Peptide and GAD tests. If you had these you really need to know the results, so I suggest you try to find out.

I haven't been to see my GP because I don't feel sick just peed off that I'm putting on weight despite eating virtually no carbs and on insulin. Is it true that GPs don't want to have cpeptide and GAD tests done because of the cost? If I knew how, I'd have them done privately if necessary

 

[tim2000s]

You should demand that you are referred back to the hospital where they should do the c-peptide and GAD tests. And you should make them do them too.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I haven't been to see my GP because I don't feel sick just peed off that I'm putting on weight despite eating virtually no carbs and on insulin. Is it true that GPs don't want to have cpeptide and GAD tests done because of the cost? If I knew how, I'd have them done privately if necessary

You should have had these tests done when you were "diagnosed", so it is possible the hospital sent a report to your GP so he may be able to tell you.

Are you under the care of a diabetes clinic? They should also know. It is only important to know if you are T1/LADA or T2 because of the different treatments. T1 and LADA are much the same thing. LADA is just late onset T1.

 

[paulus1]

they did the gad test but not the cpeptide im guessing its cost.

 

[Olufisayo]

I don’t even understand what LADA diabetes is all about. I never heard about it until I joined this forum.

 

[SueJB]

congrats yours was higher than mine 106. if you can get good control and im afraid thats by diet you may get off it if your type 2.

Now HbA1c down to 42.... amazing!!

 

[paulus1]

well done.

 

[SueJB]

You should have had these tests done when you were "diagnosed", so it is possible the hospital sent a report to your GP so he may be able to tell you.

Are you under the care of a diabetes clinic? They should also know. It is only important to know if you are T1/LADA or T2 because of the different treatments. T1 and LADA are much the same thing. LADA is just late onset T1.

Thanks @Bluetit1802 I saw the dietician and she kept referring to me as type1. I'm 64, they're guessing and I think I'm a late developer LOL!!

 

[SueJB]

I don’t even understand what LADA diabetes is all about. I never heard about it until I joined this forum.

I'd never heard of anything apart from T1&T2, my vocabulary has expanded along with my fat belly, 7k increase in 6months

 

[mcmoggy261]

Hey SueJB, weight gain is normal when first starting on insulin, you're hba1c is the important thing just now and it looks like your doing just fine there. If you're disciplined enough to maintain those BG numbers you'll have no problem with weight loss. Gradually introduce an exercise routine so as to avoid hypo's and you'll wonder where your belly went.

 

[karen8967]

Thanks. My carbs range from 40-60g a day. Suppose it might be an idea to get another HbA1c done. I keep wondering why they say I'm type 1 especially being 64 when diagnosed

Hi sue i was 50 but defo type 1

 

[SueJB]

Hey SueJB, weight gain is normal when first starting on insulin, you're hba1c is the important thing just now and it looks like your doing just fine there. If you're disciplined enough to maintain those BG numbers you'll have no problem with weight loss. Gradually introduce an exercise routine so as to avoid hypo's and you'll wonder where your belly went.

Thanks @mcmoggy261 for the support and optimism