Confused - LADA questions?

[lauraw1983]

I need to ask a couple of quick questions...

The more I am reading, the more I am wondering if I am Type 1.5 LADA and not Type 2. I realise I need to have the GAD antibody test and c-peptide test to see what is going on....does anyone know what levels would indicate what type it was though? How are these things measured and what levels would indicate what Type I have?

I keep reading that if it is LADA then the quicker you start on insulin the better to preserve any remaining beta cells you might have. It scares the hell out of me but there you go.

I know I am jumping the gun a little, but as someone with not much faith in Dr's at times, I want to be the one making sure these things are checked and answered for me. It's the control freak in me!

I have been on Metformin now for 2 weeks (one week at 1000mg a day then a week at 2000mg) and am still getting morning readings between 8 and 10 every day - is this normal or should it be lower now??

It all seems such a grey area and depressing

Thanks for reading x

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Laura

First of all, don't panic - marathon not sprint etc etc... (though I understand your anxiety about retaining beta function if possible)

If you've only ben on Met for a few weeks it probably isn't at full strength yet. I gather it can take 3-4 weeks to ramp-up to full potency.

By all means pursue GAD and c-Peptide tests there are members here who have satisfactorily confirmed their diagnosis using them so hopefully they will be along to share their experiences.

In the meantime - what sort of dietary changes have you been making to work alongside your meds?

M

 

[chattygirl197811]

Its early days but it will do you no harm to request a GAD anti body blood test. I believe that high levels of anti bodies would indicate you lean more towards type 1 or type 1.5. I do not know about C pepcide tests?
I was diagnosed with type 2 in Aug and changed my diet immediatly. However despite trying metformin and now Glizazide x 2 per day my GB levels are increasing all the time as is my thirst and tiredness and weight is falling. My doctor suggested I may have slow onset type 1.5 or type 1 so I had my GAD test two weeks ago. They lost my results! so had the test again and get results on 22nd. Whatever type you are ultimately you may need insulin anyway if tablets dont work. Its def worth having a test so at least you are sure what type diabetes you have but in the meantime hang in there as your body may just need to adapt to the tablets. Good luck.

 

[AlisonM]

I can't recall the numbers but if your c-peptide levels are lower than normal and you have GAD antibodies you may be T1.5 or LADA. Without the antibodies or a lowered c-pep you'd likely be T2.

Treatment varies, some experts believe going on insulin immediately helps but there is some doubt about the real value of this as it doesn't seem to alter the progression of the condition. That apparently depends on the individual. I'm on a combination of Byetta and Gliclazide at the moment but closely monitored by my local clinic.

As has been said medications can take a while ramp up and you should give them a few weeks. I hope this helps.

 

[lauraw1983]

Hi Laura

First of all, don't panic - marathon not sprint etc etc... (though I understand your anxiety about retaining beta function if possible)

If you've only ben on Met for a few weeks it probably isn't at full strength yet. I gather it can take 3-4 weeks to ramp-up to full potency.

By all means pursue GAD and c-Peptide tests there are members here who have satisfactorily confirmed their diagnosis using them so hopefully they will be along to share their experiences.

In the meantime - what sort of dietary changes have you been making to work alongside your meds?

M

The thing is about the Met, I know it might not be working 'fully' yet but there is also things out there that say it's not actually great for people who are LADA to be on it. Something to do with it making metabolic disorder worse??

dietary changes - well the obvious things - cut out refined sugars (not that I ate/drunk many regularly anyway). I'm just having my main 3 meals a day, and watching the carbs a little - though and still a bit unsure about all that as I have had conflicting advice at this stage as to what to do.

Yesterday I had:

B - Sultana Bran and SS milk

L - Vegetable soup (homemade), a packet of baked Walkers crisps.

Snack - an apple

D - chicken kiev and roasted vegetables (peppers, courgette, onion) After dinner I did have a small fairy cake that my son had made - it's the first sweet thing I have had really and the DSN had said IF I was going to have sweet things then to have them right after my main meal too? Maybe not the best example but being honest lol.

I mostly drink tea during the day or water. With meals sometimes diet drinks or no added sugar squash - this was the same as I did before anyway.


This morning I have had porridge for breakfast, and am going to have a wholemeal ham and philly cheese sandwich, and I have fruit to snack on. I adore fruit

My BG before dinner last night was 7.9 and this morning was 10.3.

I know its a marathon and not a sprint etc, but I am worried my levels are still not down to normal (even once a day!), and it is damaging me already - am I being melodramatic or is that realistic at this stage??

Help!

 

[Mark T]

I know its a marathon and not a sprint etc, but I am worried my levels are still not down to normal (even once a day!), and it is damaging me already - am I being melodramatic or is that realistic at this stage??

Don't be too worried - It will come. The harm to your body comes with long term high blood glucose levels and the fact you are getting lower readings already means things are improving.

I found that my morning readings started coming down nicely as my weight came off. I only had 12 kg to loose but even that was having an impact. How is your weight loss going?

I think the issues with Type 1.5's being on the "wrong" meds would be if you got left on them for years. Although I've never read anything (yet) that said metformin did harm for a Type 1 - just that it was ineffective. Although for a Type 1 with insulin resistance it is obviously good.

Some malted or seedy bread might be better then the crisps with your soup 😉 and many of us have issues with breakfast cereal in the morning (and that isn't just Type 2's).

Watch the quantity of fruit too and it's high in carb's/sugars. I tend to snack of chopped salad veg and nuts as that is generally safer.

 

[AlisonM]

There are some questions you can ask yourself:

Do you have a history of Type 2 in the family (if anyone such as a parent or grandparent has it, your chances increase)?
Do you have any other immune defficiencies? These can possibly serve as a pointer, but it's not a certainty.
Is there anyone in the family who has been T1/T1.5 before you?

Regarding the medications you're on: What side effects are you having? I was initially diagnosed as T2 and had a very bad reaction to Metformin and it's variants. Bear in mind that the normal side effects can last for weeks and will return for a while if your doses are increased.

I'm a fruit freak too, and it broke my heart when I had to give much of it up because fruit is full of sugar and can raise numbers significantly. Berries are better but bananas are a total no-no. Dried fruit is especially bad because the sugars are concentrated.

You should definitely talk through your concerns with your medical team. It may help to clear up your doubts and set your mind at rest.

 

[lauraw1983]

Oh and forgot to add, I would REALLY struggle with low carb breakfasts - I cant cook at work things like egg and bacon and I really cannot face things like that early anyway, never have been able to.

 

[Robster65]

Hi Laura.

What time are you eating your evening meal ? I was just wondering, if it's fairly late in the evening, you may not be fully digesting/metabolising the food by breakfast time.

And it could also be a touch of dawn phenomenon creeping in. The natural rise in blood glucose to prepare for the day ahead.

There's a lot of variables that you could try eliminating just to be sure before worrying.

The other biggy is exercise. If you can maybe go for a brisk walk late evening a couple of times, and if you see an improvement in your waking BG, you'll know it's probably not LADA and just needs a bit more time to adjust.

Rob

 

[lauraw1983]

Don't be too worried - It will come. The harm to your body comes with long term high blood glucose levels and the fact you are getting lower readings already means things are improving.

I found that my morning readings started coming down nicely as my weight came off. I only had 12 kg to loose but even that was having an impact. How is your weight loss going?

I think the issues with Type 1.5's being on the "wrong" meds would be if you got left on them for years. Although I've never read anything (yet) that said metformin did harm for a Type 1 - just that it was ineffective. Although for a Type 1 with insulin resistance it is obviously good.

Some malted or seedy bread might be better then the crisps with your soup 😉 and many of us have issues with breakfast cereal in the morning (and that isn't just Type 2's).

Watch the quantity of fruit too and it's high in carb's/sugars. I tend to snack of chopped salad veg and nuts as that is generally safer.

The weight loss is ok, steadily I guess just now. My trousers are already looser! I also have about 2 stones to lose in total really - I realise I am overweight (I'm not stupid lol) but I am not hugely obese or anything! It's a similar amount to what you had to lose I guess.

I am reading this about breakfast cereals too - but what else should/can I have? What's your typical breakfast? I also have not a huge food budget (I have a young family, everyone is feeling the pinch right now) and it's proving hard already to stay within this.

I just this minute spoke to the diabetic nurse, and they GAD and peptide test hasn't been done, she is going to do it tomorrow for me and send it off.

Thr nurse said still to eat 5 fruit/veg a day so I am not cutting it out right now, I realise this might come though.

I am just so confused with it all really, I feel in limbo and won't relax until these test results are back I don't think.

Do you mind if I ask your age Mark?

 

[trophywench]

Doesn't have to be what you probably think of as breakfast, you know!

Nothing wrong with eg cheese or boiled ham - or indeed whatever - tuna mayo if you like LOL - on Ryvita or a slice of Bergen toast. Vegetable fritata or crustless quiche, cut in slices and stored in the fridge.

 

[lauraw1983]

There are some questions you can ask yourself:

Do you have a history of Type 2 in the family (if anyone such as a parent or grandparent has it, your chances increase)?
Do you have any other immune defficiencies? These can possibly serve as a pointer, but it's not a certainty.
Is there anyone in the family who has been T1/T1.5 before you?

Regarding the medications you're on: What side effects are you having? I was initially diagnosed as T2 and had a very bad reaction to Metformin and it's variants. Bear in mind that the normal side effects can last for weeks and will return for a while if your doses are increased.

I'm a fruit freak too, and it broke my heart when I had to give much of it up because fruit is full of sugar and can raise numbers significantly. Berries are better but bananas are a total no-no. Dried fruit is especially bad because the sugars are concentrated.

My mum has Type 2, though only in the past 2 years she was diagnosed and only very borderline at the time, she keeps it in check very well with her diet and her BG rarely goes over 7 which is great. She's never seen figures like I did!

My uncle (mum's brother) was Type 1 too. Diagnosed in his late 20's also... (I'm 28) My mum's cousin is also Type 1 (diagnosed young though, early teens I think)

Not aware of any other immune deficiencies.

Metformin is giving me nausea, sharp stomach pains (this has eased a little, it was waking me up in the night), and diarrhoea - this is still the same, it won't go away.

Berries are seasonal which is a problem, they taste horrible at out of season times of the year. And are expensive.

 

[lauraw1983]

Doesn't have to be what you probably think of as breakfast, you know!

Nothing wrong with eg cheese or boiled ham - or indeed whatever - tuna mayo if you like LOL - on Ryvita or a slice of Bergen toast. Vegetable fritata or crustless quiche, cut in slices and stored in the fridge.

I know you will think I am being defeatist/negative - but I can think of nothing worse than the above for breakfast. The toast is ok! I could not face the others for breakfast at all and would rather eat nothing....😱

 

[Robster65]

I know you will think I am being defeatist/negative - but I can think of nothing worse than the above for breakfast. The toast is ok! I could not face the others for breakfast at all and would rather eat nothing....😱

Could you face low fat yoghurt with some fruit in ?

Low carb, low fat, low GI and lots of vits and tastes nice. (and quick).

Rob

 

[lauraw1983]

Could you face low fat yoghurt with some fruit in ?

Low carb, low fat, low GI and lots of vits and tastes nice. (and quick).

Rob

Yes I could face that! Natural yoghurt I presume? But........variety is the spice of life, there needs to be more options!! 🙄

 

[lauraw1983]

Oh and will I not be hungry again in about an hour though?? 🙄

 

[Mark T]

Do you mind if I ask your age Mark?

36 🙂

My father and uncle were both diagnosed at a similar age. Unfortunately my grandfather (on my fathers side) was dead before I was born, but he was diabetic too.

 

[Robster65]

Oh and will I not be hungry again in about an hour though?? 🙄

Yoghurt seems to have a lasting effect. I have wholegrain muesli with it and some blueberries and it keeps me happy til lunchtime (4-5 hours).

Depends on portions obviously but I don't have oo much.

Rob

 

[Mark T]

Yoghurt seems to have a lasting effect. I have wholegrain muesli with it and some blueberries and it keeps me happy til lunchtime (4-5 hours).

Depends on portions obviously but I don't have oo much.

Rob

I tend to go for Yoghurt plus nuts (either almonds, walnuts or pecans) for breakfast usually. But yes it's nice to have something different once in a while.

Very occasionally I might do a quick scrambled egg (about 2 mins in the micro) or a slice of burgen with peanut butter.

I tend to find that anything over 15g of Carb will send me higher then I want at breakfast regardless of what GI it has - so I could probably only have a single spoonful of cereal if I wanted to eat some.

 

[lauraw1983]

Is it 15g of carbs per 100g of the food then??

And is this Burgen bread much better than all others?!?