Thought I was doing ok...

[rebrascora]

Just to be aware the C-peptide test is probably best done as a carb loaded or stimulated test. If you are currently low carb, your beta cells will not be stimulated to produce much insulin, but if you eat things which will push your levels up into the mid teens, then that should trigger your beta cells to respond as well as they can and that can be an important aspect of the test.
They should test the serum glucose at the time of the C-peptide test so that they can see if it is stimulated or not, but depending upon who is assessing the results, this important fact can be overlooked. Quite a few people who were misdiagnosed as Type 2 have inadvertently disguised their Type 1 by following a low carb way of eating allowing the honeymoon period to drag on for many years in some cases. The problem arises when they have been classified with Type 2 for that length of time and then can't access the support they need, when that honeymoon period comes to an end and they are stuck with a Type 2 diagnosis that is difficult to get overturned. Getting the correct diagnosis as early as possible is really important because the longer it goes the harder it is to change. Antibodies dissipate and doctors are reluctant to change a diagnosis or even consider a change.

I hate to say it but there is very much a 2 tier system of treatment within the NHS and you get better support and access to technology as a Type 1, so if you are Type 1 it can be really important to get that on your records from the start.

 

[Burylancs]

Thank you!

BTW ... Kidney damage is a major complication of diabetes, your Diabetic Consultant should definitely be interested in that aspect.

 

[HJenks71]

Just to be aware the C-peptide test is probably best done as a carb loaded or stimulated test. If you are currently low carb, your beta cells will not be stimulated to produce much insulin, but if you eat things which will push your levels up into the mid teens, then that should trigger your beta cells to respond as well as they can and that can be an important aspect of the test.
They should test the serum glucose at the time of the C-peptide test so that they can see if it is stimulated or not, but depending upon who is assessing the results, this important fact can be overlooked. Quite a few people who were misdiagnosed as Type 2 have inadvertently disguised their Type 1 by following a low carb way of eating allowing the honeymoon period to drag on for many years in some cases. The problem arises when they have been classified with Type 2 for that length of time and then can't access the support they need, when that honeymoon period comes to an end and they are stuck with a Type 2 diagnosis that is difficult to get overturned. Getting the correct diagnosis as early as possible is really important because the longer it goes the harder it is to change. Antibodies dissipate and doctors are reluctant to change a diagnosis or even consider a change.

I hate to say it but there is very much a 2 tier system of treatment within the NHS and you get better support and access to technology as a Type 1, so if you are Type 1 it can be really important to get that on your records from the start.

Really good to know, thank you. I can be really annoying when I need to be to get things sorted, so I will hold that in reserve

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Thanks so much for your story, it's good to know there's a chance I'm type 2.

There's a chance. Distinguishing between the diagnoses seems to be quite a bit harder than it feels it ought to be, but then maybe there's more overlap (at the edges) than we tend to feel.

Your story sounds to me consistent with Type 1 still in the honeymoon period (as @rebrascora suggests, the extreme low carb diet is allowing your limited insulin cells to keep your BG normal), but I'm sure it's also consistent with Type 2.

 

[HJenks71]

BTW ... Kidney damage is a major complication of diabetes, your Diabetic Consultant should definitely be interested in that aspect.

They are definitely not 100% from the tests I've had done via the GP, but figures are improving quite well so it's on the radar. Will be interesting to see what they say...

 

[HJenks71]

There's a chance. Distinguishing between the diagnoses seems to be quite a bit harder than it feels it ought to be, but then maybe there's more overlap (at the edges) than we tend to feel.

Your story sounds to me consistent with Type 1 still in the honeymoon period (as @rebrascora suggests, the extreme low carb diet is allowing your limited insulin cells to keep your BG normal), but I'm sure it's also consistent with Type 2.

If it's type 1, I'll get on with it. Would be good to know either way. I'll channel my lovely Mum and get things sorted

 

[mashedupmatt]

Hi @HJenks71 and welcome to the forum - delayed or misdiagnosis is unfortunately quite common - distinguishing between T1 & T2 is difficult and you need to have the correct tests to help your healthcare team to get to the right conclusion - I was initially thought to be T2 but my (excellent) GP immediately demanded I have the correct tests and was subsequently changed to T1 after a few weeks (the antibody test does take some time to come back from the lab) - and the Honeymoon Period (I hate that expression!) is 100% a thing - for me it lasted around 18 months and then all of a sudden, bang - I needed to double my insulin intake overnight - I genuinely hope you get the answers you need soon

 

[HJenks71]

Hi @HJenks71 and welcome to the forum - delayed or misdiagnosis is unfortunately quite common - distinguishing between T1 & T2 is difficult and you need to have the correct tests to help your healthcare team to get to the right conclusion - I was initially thought to be T2 but my (excellent) GP immediately demanded I have the correct tests and was subsequently changed to T1 after a few weeks (the antibody test does take some time to come back from the lab) - and the Honeymoon Period (I hate that expression!) is 100% a thing - for me it lasted around 18 months and then all of a sudden, bang - I needed to double my insulin intake overnight - I genuinely hope you get the answers you need soon

Hello!

Thank you for the message, I'm definitely learning that it's never clear cut... I'm speaking to my GP next week so will ask him about the best course of action and take it from there. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.