Hi folks!

[MattW]

Hi everyone!
I had my type 2 diagnosis confirmed in February this year after a few months of unintentional weight loss. Currently on Metformin and this seems to have curbed the loss of weight, so thinking of next steps. I’m a bit of a fair weather cyclist so want to get back out there on the road but unsure how best to refuel before and during rides. No doubt my old method of energy gels are out of the question?

 

[Inka]

Welcome @MattW 🙂 Are you on any meds for the diabetes? And - has Type 1 been ruled out? Unintentional weight loss is associated with Type 1 and Type 1 can come on more slowly in adults.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @MattW

Do you have Type 2 in your family history? And did this come on quickly or had it been building up over some time? Were you carrying much extra weight around your middle? Did you get thirst and needing to wee much more often as symptoms?

Like @Inka I find the mention of unexpected weight loss a bit of a red flag, and it would be good to know that your surgery had considered some of the other types of diabetes such as LADA (latent autommune diabetes in adults) which can some GPs aren’t all that familiar with.

You certainly wouldn’t be the first new member to have been classified largely by age alone, but 50% of T1 cases are diagnosed in adults, so it’s good to be sure you are getting the right treatment for your diabetes type.

 

[MattW]

Welcome @MattW 🙂 Are you on any meds for the diabetes? And - has Type 1 been ruled out? Unintentional weight loss is associated with Type 1 and Type 1 can come on more slowly in adults.

Hi @Inka just metformin at this moment in time, doctor does believe it is type 2 - I did have questions about type 1 when I last visited e.g. would I need insulin but he was sure it isn’t required. Hopefully it remains that way.

 

[MattW]

Welcome to the forum @MattW

Do you have Type 2 in your family history? And did this come on quickly or had it been building up over some time? Were you carrying much extra weight around your middle? Did you get thirst and needing to wee much more often as symptoms?

Like @Inka I find the mention of unexpected weight loss a bit of a red flag, and it would be good to know that your surgery had considered some of the other types of diabetes such as LADA (latent autommune diabetes in adults) which can some GPs aren’t all that familiar with.

You certainly wouldn’t be the first new member to have been classified largely by age alone, but 50% of T1 cases are diagnosed in adults, so it’s good to be sure you are getting the right treatment for your diabetes type.

Hi @everydayupsanddowns,

I’m not aware of any family history and both parents are no longer around, none of my other relatives have been diagnosed as far as I’m aware. In terms of symptoms… yes thirst and the need to wee a lot, especially in the night. It started mid to late summer last year and by this January I’d lost almost 20lbs by which time I’d contacted my local GP. I was carrying a little around the middle but it’s more noticeable that I’ve lost weight on my face, arms and legs - I’m 6’0 and now around 12 1/2 stones, having gained a couple of pounds since I started medication around six weeks ago.

I shall mention LADA when I next speak to my GP though, but so far I’ve not had much of a problem with the metformin (seems to be a few on the forum who have though) and the thirst and night time urges have dropped off significantly so hopefully my condition is stabilising.

 

[Inka]

Hi @Inka just metformin at this moment in time, doctor does believe it is type 2 - I did have questions about type 1 when I last visited e.g. would I need insulin but he was sure it isn’t required. Hopefully it remains that way.

Just to be clear - for casual readers as much as you - Type 1 is a different condition to Type 2, and not just a matter of if you take insulin. Some Type 2s take insulin. Type 1 is an auto-immune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. In adults this destruction can come on slowly, and can be missed, with the person just assumed to be Type 2.

I would urge you to push a little more and see if you can get the Type 1 tests that help determine your diabetes type. These tests look for the Type 1 antibodies, and also look at C Peptide as that can help get a correct diagnosis. Weight loss is a big Type 1 symptom. I’d want it ruled out properly.

 

[MattW]

Just to be clear - for casual readers as much as you - Type 1 is a different condition to Type 2, and not just a matter of if you take insulin. Some Type 2s take insulin. Type 1 is an auto-immune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. In adults this destruction can come on slowly, and can be missed, with the person just assumed to be Type 2.

I would urge you to push a little more and see if you can get the Type 1 tests that help determine your diabetes type. These tests look for the Type 1 antibodies, and also look at C Peptide as that can help get a correct diagnosis. Weight loss is a big Type 1 symptom. I’d want it ruled out properly.

Hi I do appreciate the information, I will follow up on this and will update you all on here.

 

[ColinUK]

I'd also push for the C-peptide test. And if they refuse then ask again.