Type 1.5 diabetes

[Surgical spirit 64]

Hello I'm new to the forum does anyone else here have diabetes LAD (latent autoimmune diabetes) I was initially diagnosed as type 2 diabetes 2 years ago and have had problems with medication when increased in dose . Metformin was increased from 1 tablet to 2 per day. Had side effects so stopped and put on glycoside still had side effects so meds changed yet again to another which suited me but now my ha1c has shot up to 106 and now I m being referred to diabetic clinics nurse specialist

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome - love the name
Quite a lot of people in your situation so they will hopefully be along to answer any questions you have and give you a bit more insight from their own experience.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Surgical spirit 64 🙂 There are a number of people here with LADA. I believe @DaveB is one.

Hopefully your referral will explore the option of insulin. LADA is a kind of slow-onset Type 1 and early introduction of insulin can help preserve the remaining beta cells.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Surgical spirit 64

Yes we have quite a few LADA folks on the forum including @Emma Lowery @gillrogers @Jenny105 @Ljc @runner @Uller and @zx10pilot

We have other members who developed T1 later in life and who could have been classified LADA by different surgeries. It seems some healthcare professionals aren’t keen on the term, and simply stick to a classification of T1, which can develop at any age.

Hopefully you will be started on a fully flexible ‘multiple daily injection‘ insulin regime with separate background and mealtime insulins. This will make it much easier for you to fine tune and adjust things in the future, and to live, eat, exercise, and generally get on with life more freely.

Let us know if you have any questions 🙂

 

[gillrogers]

Hi @Surgical spirit 64 , I was diagnosed a year ago last September with LADA having been diagnosed as a skinny type 2 back in 2012. HBA1C just kept going up despite me eating sensibly and walking a mile before and after meals and being on Metformin and gliclizide (think I've got that spelling wrong) . Been on a roller coaster with learning about all the differant influencing factors on what can make blood sugars go high and low when we don't expect it. This group has been fantastic with their help and advice. So don't be afraid to ask for help and advice if you need it. Wishing ou all the best on your new journey.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Surgical spirit 64 from another late starter (aged 53 at diagnosis). Whilst I was LADA I was classified as T1 since the treatment is the same, and by the time I was diagnosed I was very poorly, so straight onto insulin.

It all takes a bit of getting used to and there is a lot to learn very quickly. Do ask questions on here. There is a wealth of experience to tap into and loads of practical advice from those that ‘get it’.

 

[Inka]

Just a thought @Surgical spirit 64 - do you have ketone test strips? How high is your blood sugar?

 

[Surgical spirit 64]

My last ha1c was106 and bm was 16.9
I have been running high for last 5 months and I'm eating virtually nothing. I've lost muscle mass to my arms and legs and have dropped down to size 14 from 16 to 18

 

[Inka]

When will you see the diabetes nurse @Surgical spirit 64 ? You must feel rough.

 

[Leadinglights]

My last ha1c was106 and bm was 16.9
I have been running high for last 5 months and I'm eating virtually nothing. I've lost muscle mass to my arms and legs and have dropped down to size 14 from 16 to 18

I assume your advice was to reduce carbohydrates but if you are cutting down on those then having protein, healthy fats and vegetables and salads should help with your blood glucose levels and stop weight loss as it sounds as if you don't really want to be losing more. Hopefully you will get your referral quickly and some certainly about a diagnosis.

 

[Surgical spirit 64]

Thanks I'm just so confused. I went on a no carb diet when I was initially diagnosed 2 years ago and got my ha1c down to 48 , but became so miserable having to have salad all the time with protein. So started looking at portion size which I have stuck too since but all my gp says is reduce my carb intake hence why I'm eating less than my 5 year old grandson. Can anyone recommend how they manage or if there's a really good app that may help

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks I'm just so confused. I went on a no carb diet when I was initially diagnosed 2 years ago and got my ha1c down to 48 , but became so miserable having to have salad all the time with protein. So started looking at portion size which I have stuck too since but all my gp says is reduce my carb intake hence why I'm eating less than my 5 year old grandson. Can anyone recommend how they manage or if there's a really good app that may help

Do you have a home blood glucose monitor so you can test just how much carbohydrate you can tolerate for your meals, It is very hard to do no carbohydrate.
It would be worth your while to keep a food diary noting everything you eat and drink and use that along with testing your blood glucose before and 2 hours after meals.
You may just not be eating enough to stop the weight loss as your BMI is now pretty low.

 

[gillrogers]

I lost weight badly when I was diagnosed as type 2 as I was told I needed to excersise more and eat less carbs. The only way I could keep my BG down was by walking a mile before and after meals! 6 miles a day andy hba1c was still coming in at 9 something in the old numbers. It took 8 years for someone to twig that I couldn't possibly be type two and be so skinny. It was actually the new doctor on the block! She suggested I could be LADA and blow me down I was. Within a month of me being on a new Insulin regime and me not walking 6 miles a day I actually put weight back on because I wasn't burning off all the calories I needed by walking! Touch wood once you settle down on the right 8nsul8n treatment you'll put it back on.