-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Newly diagnosed
- Thread starter Lileth
- Start date
- Status
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Lileth
Sorry to hear you are now having to juggle the requirements of multiple conditions
As you’ve been diagnosed with LADA, I’d expect you to have been offered insulin - is that the medication you are reacting to?
Insulin should allow you to manage your blood glucose levels eating pretty much any diet you’ve been recommended, but low fibre and simpler carbohydrates may need a little extra care and attention for the timing of your meal doses.
Which insulin(s) have you been offered?
Sorry to hear you are now having to juggle the requirements of multiple conditions
As you’ve been diagnosed with LADA, I’d expect you to have been offered insulin - is that the medication you are reacting to?
Insulin should allow you to manage your blood glucose levels eating pretty much any diet you’ve been recommended, but low fibre and simpler carbohydrates may need a little extra care and attention for the timing of your meal doses.
Which insulin(s) have you been offered?
Sophie DUK
Supporter Care Advisor
Hey @Lileth, welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with the diet. This is a great place to start and get some info and support - so definitely ask away!
Since being diagnosed, do you have access to or been able to speak to a diabetes specialist nurse? They'd be a good person to speak to about diet and foods
Since being diagnosed, do you have access to or been able to speak to a diabetes specialist nurse? They'd be a good person to speak to about diet and foods
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi all,
Thanks for your replies. I’m on metformin, I started on standard but after having stomach issues was put on to slow release. They have told me I will be on insulin at some point in the future. I’m still struggling with nausea and stomach issues but am hoping this will wear off. I have spoken to a diabetic nurse but as the diet for diabetes is completely different to Crohn’s she struggled to help. I was told low carb high fibre, which I can’t do. I’m waiting for an appointment with hospital dietitian and hopefully this will help. I don’t eat processed foods as I enjoy cooking but am losing interest in eating, I don’t know if this is related to the medication? I have a phone appointment in the week, so will discuss but there seems to be a lack of crossover knowledge for diabeties/Crohn’s. The last thing I want is to end up on steroids again!
Thanks for your replies. I’m on metformin, I started on standard but after having stomach issues was put on to slow release. They have told me I will be on insulin at some point in the future. I’m still struggling with nausea and stomach issues but am hoping this will wear off. I have spoken to a diabetic nurse but as the diet for diabetes is completely different to Crohn’s she struggled to help. I was told low carb high fibre, which I can’t do. I’m waiting for an appointment with hospital dietitian and hopefully this will help. I don’t eat processed foods as I enjoy cooking but am losing interest in eating, I don’t know if this is related to the medication? I have a phone appointment in the week, so will discuss but there seems to be a lack of crossover knowledge for diabeties/Crohn’s. The last thing I want is to end up on steroids again!
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
@Lileth I don’t understand why they’ve put you on Metformin - for two reasons. Firstly because of your stomach problems, and secondly because LADA is a form of Type 1.
Can I ask what your HbA1C was at diagnosis? Do you test your own blood sugar - if so, what results are you getting?
In my opinion, you’d be better off eating your usual Crohn’s diet and taking insulin. Moreover, early introduction of insulin in LADA is thought to help preserve your remaining insulin-producing cells for longer.
Is the ‘diabetes nurse’ you spoke to at your local GP surgery or were they a proper hospital Diabetes Specialist Nurse? If the former, you could see if you could get referred.
Can I ask what your HbA1C was at diagnosis? Do you test your own blood sugar - if so, what results are you getting?
In my opinion, you’d be better off eating your usual Crohn’s diet and taking insulin. Moreover, early introduction of insulin in LADA is thought to help preserve your remaining insulin-producing cells for longer.
Is the ‘diabetes nurse’ you spoke to at your local GP surgery or were they a proper hospital Diabetes Specialist Nurse? If the former, you could see if you could get referred.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
My other half has what they say is largely asymptomatic Crohn's and has occasional flare ups but has found the low carb dietary regime I follow is compatible with the low fibre which he was advised to keep to following a bowel perforation caused by a rare condition stump appendicitis.
He certainly finds no problem with fats, eggs, meat and fish and most vegetables.
You may find some ideas in this link for suitable meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
He certainly finds no problem with fats, eggs, meat and fish and most vegetables.
You may find some ideas in this link for suitable meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Hi I have only spoken to diabetic nurse at GP surgery, I have been referred to hospital but am awaiting an appointment. My Hb1A1c was 11, I was told it was best to try metformin first (cost maybe?). They are presuming it’s LADA as I’m not overweight, healthy and have two other autoimmune diseases (Crohn’s and arthritis). For these I take methotrexate and sulfasalazine. I am speaking to nurse at GP surgery this week to see how I’m getting on with new medication and have just had a repeat blood test. They have not advised me to test my own blood.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
As you have a restricted diet because of your Crohn's, testing at home with a home testing monitor would allow you to see which of the foods you can have because of the Crohn's will not increase your blood glucose too much. It would seem to be a sensible tool to help. When you say HbA1C was 11, I assume that was % which is the old units but does put you high in the diabetes zone. 6.5% or 48mmol/mol is the diagnostic level and 11% converts to 97mmol/mol.
There are other oral medications other than metformin so maybe ask about those or if they are sure about the LADA diagnosis then insulin is an option sooner rather than later.
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
It’s very good that you’ve been referred to hospital @Lileth Can I ask if they’ve done any additional blood tests to help determine your diabetes type? (Those tests would be the Type 1 antibodies test and the C Peptide test.)
Your HbA1C works out as 96.7 (they changed the measurement units some years ago) which is high. Did you have any symptoms prior to diagnosis eg weight loss, thirst, urinary frequency?
If they think you might be LADA then it’s remiss of them to not suggest you test at home. Your glucose control could be deteriorating and you’d never know. If it were me, I’d make getting a glucose meter a priority.
Your HbA1C works out as 96.7 (they changed the measurement units some years ago) which is high. Did you have any symptoms prior to diagnosis eg weight loss, thirst, urinary frequency?
If they think you might be LADA then it’s remiss of them to not suggest you test at home. Your glucose control could be deteriorating and you’d never know. If it were me, I’d make getting a glucose meter a priority.
- Status