Cheesed Off

[Anneletoile]

Anyone else totally cheesed off with the suggestion you only get type 2 from being overweight and with poor eating habits. I am not overweight, I eat well and am vegetarian. I have been a type 2 diabetic for over ten years. Diabetes runs in my family so I wasn't surprised to get it. So often 'well meaning' friends suggest alsorts of things to 'cure' me. I did read a while ago that children of diabetics, are quite likely to get it too as you are genetically presupposed to get it.

So in conclusion I am diabetic but I am not fat, (size 8 to 10)I eat healthily and the chances of me becoming a non diabetic as almost nil. I am OK with that and I wish people would leave me alone.

 

[trophywench]

OK - I'm not suggesting you are fat, most of us here recognise there has to be a genetic element to T2, since there are certainly morbidly obese people who do not have diabetes but you also have to accept that it's possible to be TOFI - ie thin outside, fat inside meaning that despite thinking they're AOK and looking AOK, they actually happen to have a body which chooses to lay down fat around their internal organs and thus this impairs their body's ability to use its own insulin efficiently and leads to a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Dr Michael Moseley is a case in point.

Is the latter true in your case? What actual tests have they done to prove you really truly 100% have Type 2 diabetes?

 

[Docb]

Good morning @Anneletoile and welcome to the forum. I am with you but I would describe my self as frustrated rather than cheesed off. Like you I have an acceptable BMI, eat well from a varied diet but can only keep my blood glucose in check either by keeping my carbohydrate intake low or by taking medication. There are lots on here in with similar experience.

The body is a complicated chemical plant and anybody who has had anything to do with such things knows that full well that there might be some general principles you can apply to the way they behave, it is very unwise to assume all eventualities are covered by a couple of labels and the odd three (or four) letter acronym. I am of the opinion that there is a lot more to explaining poor blood glucose control than assuming either autoimmune destruction of pancreatic cells or the system being clogged up by fat.

If asked about my diabetes I would describe it as poor blood glucose control for reasons unknown.

 

[Anneletoile]

Good morning @Anneletoile and welcome to the forum. I am with you but I would describe my self as frustrated rather than cheesed off. Like you I have an acceptable BMI, eat well from a varied diet but can only keep my blood glucose in check either by keeping my carbohydrate intake low or by taking medication. There are lots on here in with similar experience.

The body is a complicated chemical plant and anybody who has had anything to do with such things knows that full well that there might be some general principles you can apply to the way they behave, it is very unwise to assume all eventualities are covered by a couple of labels and the odd three (or four) letter acronym. I am of the opinion that there is a lot more to explaining poor blood glucose control than assuming either autoimmune destruction of pancreatic cells or the system being clogged up by fat.

If asked about my diabetes I would describe it as poor blood glucose control for reasons unknown.

I do keep things in check with diet and medication. I do have hypothyroidism which might be a contributing factor

 

[Anneletoile]

OK - I'm not suggesting you are fat, most of us here recognise there has to be a genetic element to T2, since there are certainly morbidly obese people who do not have diabetes but you also have to accept that it's possible to be TOFI - ie thin outside, fat inside meaning that despite thinking they're AOK and looking AOK, they actually happen to have a body which chooses to lay down fat around their internal organs and thus this impairs their body's ability to use its own insulin efficiently and leads to a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Dr Michael Moseley is a case in point.

Is the latter true in your case? What actual tests have they done to prove you really truly 100% have Type 2 diabetes?

Thanks for joining the people that really get on my wick. Yes I have had lots of tests and yes I REALLY DO HAVE IT

 

[Veenorthants]

Anyone else totally cheesed off with the suggestion you only get type 2 from being overweight and with poor eating habits. I am not overweight, I eat well and am vegetarian. I have been a type 2 diabetic for over ten years. Diabetes runs in my family so I wasn't surprised to get it. So often 'well meaning' friends suggest alsorts of things to 'cure' me. I did read a while ago that children of diabetics, are quite likely to get it too as you are genetically presupposed to get it.

So in conclusion I am diabetic but I am not fat, (size 8 to 10)I eat healthily and the chances of me becoming a non diabetic as almost nil. I am OK with that and I wish people would leave me alone.

Completely agree with you. Hate being judged, am within my BMI and have never have had a sweet tooth

Your not alone that's for sure, I am currently awaiting for results to confirm that I am Type 2 as it doesn't make any sense.

 

[Windy]

Thanks for joining the people that really get on my wick. Yes I have had lots of tests and yes I REALLY DO HAVE IT

I suspect she wasn't questioning if you're diabetic, but if the doctors have diagnosed you with the correct one, as there's a fair few different types and people who are diabetic, but aren't T2, don't always get diagnosed correctly the first time by their GP, and some of them have had to fight to get the tests done to diagnose the correct one.
As for the well meaning, but not overly helpful advice that you get from your friends etc, don't let the b*ggers get you down. I politely acknowledge misplaced advice given to me, then promptly ignore and forget it.
Best wishes, Sarah
PS it runs in my family too, I'm sure I was genetically predisposed to getting diabetes, over someone without family history of it.

 

[Benny G]

Between type 1, type 2, and type 3, and the 'exotic' types, the diabetic river is wide and deep.
Probably best to not be too concerned by what other people think.

 

[helli]

I wish there was more education about diabetes so that all of us received more understanding.
Although I have Type 1, I share your frustration @Anneletoile. The number of times I have been told I can't eat something because I am diabetic or I can't be diabetic because I am too slim. If I have the patience I will explain that you can be diabetic without being fat but often I know my comments will be ignored.
But the guys I feel most for (due to the lack of education in our society) are the kids who get teased about having to inject every day due to having a chronic disease.

 

[snowball12]

I completely understand your frustration. I am the only person in my entire family who has Type 2 Diabetes. My GP is baffled. I too hate being judged it's so cruel. You carry on as you are. I am a size 14 and still considered obese by GP.

 

[Anneletoile]

Completely agree with you. Hate being judged, am within my BMI and have never have had a sweet tooth

Your not alone that's for sure, I am currently awaiting for results to confirm that I am Type 2 as it doesn't make any sense.

Vee, good luck with your tests. Diabetes is a illness, like many others with modern testing they are much more likely to be diagnose it than before. This does help with well meaning 'friends' "A thank you for your concern, but mind your own". Someone who you don't know so well "F off and mind your own" is equally effective. Worse bit is that the world and his wife do seem to have a opinion.

 

[BIG KEV W]

Chin up it's all good, sounds like you are doing ok with T2, sofa doctors are one step down from back seat drivers , just keep going with what the doctors/nurses say most of them are good at this sort of thing.

 

[Anneletoile]

I suspect she wasn't questioning if you're diabetic, but if the doctors have diagnosed you with the correct one, as there's a fair few different types and people who are diabetic, but aren't T2, don't always get diagnosed correctly the first time by their GP, and some of them have had to fight to get the tests done to diagnose the correct one.
As for the well meaning, but not overly helpful advice that you get from your friends etc, don't let the b*ggers get you down. I politely acknowledge misplaced advice given to me, then promptly ignore and forget it.
Best wishes, Sarah
PS it runs in my family too, I'm sure I was genetically predisposed to getting diabetes, over someone without family history of it.

Wouldn't it be nice to have some exotic illness rather than plain old type 2. I do wonder whether the fact I became a widow 17 years ago, is a factor but I wasn't diagnosed until about 4 5 years later

 

[BIG KEV W]

I went for 12 yrs as a T2 then after all that time with results as random as the lottery they do 1 simple test and said that after all my years of struggling I'm a T1, so as long as your happy with what you are just keep going and dont let them grind you down

 

[Veenorthants]

Vee, good luck with your tests. Diabetes is a illness, like many others with modern testing they are much more likely to be diagnose it than before. This does help with well meaning 'friends' "A thank you for your concern, but mind your own". Someone who you don't know so well "F off and mind your own" is equally effective. Worse bit is that the world and his wife do seem to have a opinion.

I know all the phrases well 😉
I even feel like the diabetic nurse judges me over our phone conversations and she's never ever met me face to face

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

I hope you find being a member of the forum helpful. I am sorry to feel so judged and you are understandably frustrated by that

Thanks for joining the people that really get on my wick. Yes I have had lots of tests and yes I REALLY DO HAVE IT

I think, what @trophywench was getting at was not querying if you are really diabetic at all..... but more a question of whether you are definitely Type 2 and not possibly Type 1 or a variant of it or some other type of diabetes, so I think your response was a little harsh!
There are many of us here on the forum, who were misdiagnosed as Type 2 when we were actually Type 1 or a slow onset form of it called LADA or possibly a Type 3. There are also other more rare forms of diabetes like MODY which has a very strong genetic link. Most GPs have no understanding of these other types of diabetes and don't look any further than assuming you are Type 2 for which there are no specific tests anyway. It is my belief that there are quite a few diabetics out there who are misdiagnosed and possibly even with parents who were also misdiagnosed. Testing has become more available through consultants for these variants over the generations but of course there is a cost implication and most GPs don't refer people, so they don't get tested
I am not saying there aren't slim Type 2s or indeed fat Type 1s but just that many people's diabetes is not fully investigated to establish their true type.
An HbA1c of 48 or more gets you a diabetes diagnosis and you are often assumed to be Type 2 because you have a family history of it or you are a mature adult or you are a bit overweight or you have a poor diet..... clearly you don't fit most of those criteria but you were a mature adult at onset by the looks of it. Many GPs believe Type 1 only exhibits in children...
We all find this frustrating.... particularly because the medical profession are the starting point for these assumptions and medicine is a science. You can't exactly blame the media and the general public when it starts with people who are supposedly knowledgeable, but yes it is very frustrating.

There are specific tests for Type 1 diabetes or LADA (slow onset form of Type 1 in mature adults) and there is testing available for MODY diabetes and they can do a scan of your pancreas for Type 3, but these tests all cost extra money (MODY particularly) so mostly they don't investigate and just treat you as a Type 2 and even more annoying is that there is a bit of a two tier class system between Type 1 and Type 2 and the support, attitude of medical professionals in some cases and access to technology they receive.

The stigma is clearly getting to you even though people can clearly see that you are slim and healthy....but imagine how much more hurtful and demoralizing it is for people who are overweight and obese. The people who make these judgements are ignorant .... as of course many of us where ourselves before diagnosis because we didn't understand the complicated nature of the condition (I don't consider it an illness because if I manage it well, it doesn't make me ill) .... and most have no interest in learning or understanding any different and sadly that even applies to some doctors and nurses.

In your position I might be wanting some additional tests to clarify my diagnosis by elimination, as much as anything so that you get appropriate treatment and support, but if you are happy with your current treatment and support and it is working well for you, then I would recommend not taking a King Knut stance as that tide of ignorant public opinion could drown you.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Hi and welcome.

I hope you find being a member of the forum helpful. I am sorry to feel so judged and you are understandably frustrated by that

I think, what @trophywench was getting at was not querying if you are really diabetic at all..... but more a question of whether you are definitely Type 2 and not possibly Type 1 or a variant of it or some other type of diabetes, so I think your response was a little harsh!
There are many of us here on the forum, who were misdiagnosed as Type 2 when we were actually Type 1 or a slow onset form of it called LADA or possibly a Type 3. There are also other more rare forms of diabetes like MODY which has a very strong genetic link. Most GPs have no understanding of these other types of diabetes and don't look any further than assuming you are Type 2 for which there are no specific tests anyway. It is my belief that there are quite a few diabetics out there who are misdiagnosed and possibly even with parents who were also misdiagnosed. Testing has become more available through consultants for these variants over the generations but of course there is a cost implication and most GPs don't refer people, so they don't get tested
I am not saying there aren't slim Type 2s or indeed fat Type 1s but just that many people's diabetes is not fully investigated to establish their true type.
An HbA1c of 48 or more gets you a diabetes diagnosis and you are often assumed to be Type 2 because you have a family history of it or you are a mature adult or you are a bit overweight or you have a poor diet..... clearly you don't fit most of those criteria but you were a mature adult at onset by the looks of it. Many GPs believe Type 1 only exhibits in children...
We all find this frustrating.... particularly because the medical profession are the starting point for these assumptions and medicine is a science. You can't exactly blame the media and the general public when it starts with people who are supposedly knowledgeable, but yes it is very frustrating.

There are specific tests for Type 1 diabetes or LADA (slow onset form of Type 1 in mature adults) and there is testing available for MODY diabetes and they can do a scan of your pancreas for Type 3, but these tests all cost extra money (MODY particularly) so mostly they don't investigate and just treat you as a Type 2 and even more annoying is that there is a bit of a two tier class system between Type 1 and Type 2 and the support, attitude of medical professionals in some cases and access to technology they receive.

The stigma is clearly getting to you even though people can clearly see that you are slim and healthy....but imagine how much more hurtful and demoralizing it is for people who are overweight and obese. The people who make these judgements are ignorant .... as of course many of us where ourselves before diagnosis because we didn't understand the complicated nature of the condition (I don't consider it an illness because if I manage it well, it doesn't make me ill) .... and most have no interest in learning or understanding any different and sadly that even applies to some doctors and nurses.

In your position I might be wanting some additional tests to clarify my diagnosis by elimination, as much as anything so that you get appropriate treatment and support, but if you are happy with your current treatment and support and it is working well for you, then I would recommend not taking a King Knut stance as that tide of ignorant public opinion could drown you.

I was lucky.
Cut and dried case of type 2 for me, as I ate badly, and ate myself into being morbidly obese.
Which meant I could reverse the process, and lose the weight and diabetes by dieting out of it.
Having said that, I didn't know everything on day 1, and among the dumb comments, and the not dumb comments but ones I knew it already, there were always going to be useful ones that I didn't know, and they helped.

 

[rebrascora]

I was lucky.
Cut and dried case of type 2 for me, as I ate badly, and ate myself into being morbidly obese.
Which meant I could reverse the process, and lose the weight and diabetes by dieting out of it.
Having said that, I didn't know everything on day 1, and among the dumb comments, and the not dumb comments but ones I knew it already, there were always going to be useful ones that I didn't know, and they helped.

I ate badly and had a few lbs to shed but the diabetes took care of that for me with a 1.5stone loss (together with a very low carb diet) and I turned out to be Type 1. These things are not always cut and dried.

I think it is easier to accept "blame and guilt" if you know there is an element of your diagnosis being self inflicted, which is why the OP probably feels particularly strongly about this. I am not saying it is right to feel like that, but it is common. I used it to motivate myself to turn things around as perhaps you did and some other people here on the forum too. If you are very slim and active and fit already at diagnosis then it must be increasingly frustrating to feel that finger of blame being pointed at you.
If the OP actually turned out to be a slow onset Type 1 or MODY it wouldn't change the general population's thoughts and comments but they would likely get more support and understanding from their health care professionals (sad but true in many cases) and perhaps some peace of mind and justification for themselves.

 

[harbottle]

I was lucky.
Cut and dried case of type 2 for me, as I ate badly, and ate myself into being morbidly obese.
Which meant I could reverse the process, and lose the weight and diabetes by dieting out of it.
Having said that, I didn't know everything on day 1, and among the dumb comments, and the not dumb comments but ones I knew it already, there were always going to be useful ones that I didn't know, and they helped.

I ate badly and was overweight (And extremely stressed) - although T2 does appear to run in the family, so I should have been careful. Having said that, the DN just said I might have still got it even if I wasn't overweight. So I don't think it'll be reversible in my case if it's genetic or if it's even normal run of the mill T2. (My dad was morbidly and didn't lose any weight, and it didn't end well.)

(When I tell people I've got T2D they say 'oh, you don't have the figure for it.' - I know someone who is thin as a rake who has been T2 since their mid 30s.)

 

[rebrascora]

(When I tell people I've got T2D they say 'oh, you don't have the figure for it.' - I know someone who is thin as a rake who has been T2 since their mid 30s.)

My point is.... do we know for certain that that person you know really is Type 2 or could they have they been misdiagnosed and are actually a slow onset Type 1 or perhaps MODY. Without any testing (and the testing can sometimes be less than conclusive) that Type 2 label is largely just an assumption by a doctor or nurse.