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Hello, I'm new here!
- Thread starter Solama
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Cherrelle DUK
Much missed Online Community Coordinator
Hi Solama, welcome to the site!
Wow, yes, that is a bit of a wait but understandable given the times we're in.
I'm glad they've given you medication already and that they're having a positive effect. We're here to support you in the mean time so feel free to look around and let us know if there's any question you have.
Wow, yes, that is a bit of a wait but understandable given the times we're in.
I'm glad they've given you medication already and that they're having a positive effect. We're here to support you in the mean time so feel free to look around and let us know if there's any question you have.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi and welcome
There are things which can indicate which type you might be but they are are only indications so the C-peptide test, which measures the amount of insulin your pancreas is able to produce and the GAD antibody test which tests for the antibodies which would signal that your immune system has attacked your insulin producing cells in the pancreas, are the 2 which would give you a Type 1 diagnosis. Otherwise, you are assumed to be Type 2 which is the commonest type, but there are other rarer types of diabetes. Many people don't even get these tests or get to see an endocrinologist and are just assumed to be Type 2, particularly if they are older adults and a bit (or very) overweight or have a poor diet.
The fact that you are being referred to a specialist suggests that your GP/nurse think you may be Type 1. The things which would point in that direction are ... sudden onset symptoms of unquenchable thirst and trips to the loo day and night, unexplained or easy weight loss, particularly with muscle wastage.... I noticed my arms and legs became what for me was skinny and I have always been solid built. Your high HbA1c in treble figures is also a possible indication particularly if you had a normal range reading in the last year or two.
The blood test before you see the consultant will just be another HbA1c test and hopefully they will request the Type 1 testing to be done at some point after the appointment but you may get started on insulin before that testing is it is deemed necessary..... You may be aware that insulin will be needed sooner or later if you are Type 1 but Type 2 may be controlled through diet and exercise and possibly oral meds in many cases.
Have you changed your diet since diagnosis at all. Diet will have the most impact on BG levels, so it may be that your reduction in readings is down to that rather than the Metformin which generally has a minimal effect. The only medication more powerful than reducing your carbohydrate intake is insulin, so definitely worth adjusting your diet and incorporating daily exercise like a brisk walk if you can.
There are things which can indicate which type you might be but they are are only indications so the C-peptide test, which measures the amount of insulin your pancreas is able to produce and the GAD antibody test which tests for the antibodies which would signal that your immune system has attacked your insulin producing cells in the pancreas, are the 2 which would give you a Type 1 diagnosis. Otherwise, you are assumed to be Type 2 which is the commonest type, but there are other rarer types of diabetes. Many people don't even get these tests or get to see an endocrinologist and are just assumed to be Type 2, particularly if they are older adults and a bit (or very) overweight or have a poor diet.
The fact that you are being referred to a specialist suggests that your GP/nurse think you may be Type 1. The things which would point in that direction are ... sudden onset symptoms of unquenchable thirst and trips to the loo day and night, unexplained or easy weight loss, particularly with muscle wastage.... I noticed my arms and legs became what for me was skinny and I have always been solid built. Your high HbA1c in treble figures is also a possible indication particularly if you had a normal range reading in the last year or two.
The blood test before you see the consultant will just be another HbA1c test and hopefully they will request the Type 1 testing to be done at some point after the appointment but you may get started on insulin before that testing is it is deemed necessary..... You may be aware that insulin will be needed sooner or later if you are Type 1 but Type 2 may be controlled through diet and exercise and possibly oral meds in many cases.
Have you changed your diet since diagnosis at all. Diet will have the most impact on BG levels, so it may be that your reduction in readings is down to that rather than the Metformin which generally has a minimal effect. The only medication more powerful than reducing your carbohydrate intake is insulin, so definitely worth adjusting your diet and incorporating daily exercise like a brisk walk if you can.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Solama
Sounds like there is some uncertainty over which type you are?
The NICE T1 Guidelines for adults don’t recommend cPep or antibody testing as a matter of course, because interpreting the results can be tricky, and they are not as cut and dried as we would hope they were. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests can lead to both false positives and false negatives, and the diagnosis of type is commonly best done on clinical factors of the presentation. eg speed of onset, weight and weight loss, presence of ketones.
Having said that there are times when checking cPep and various antibodies can be helpful just as @rebrascora suggests, because some cases are trickier to tie down than others.
While 50% of T1s are diagnosed in childhood. 50% are also diagnosed as adults, and to adults of all shapes and sizes - which may cause some overlap with clinical factors of T2.
Hopefully your clinic will be able to unpick your case @Solama, and put you on the most appropriate treatment plan. 🙂
Sounds like there is some uncertainty over which type you are?
The NICE T1 Guidelines for adults don’t recommend cPep or antibody testing as a matter of course, because interpreting the results can be tricky, and they are not as cut and dried as we would hope they were. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests can lead to both false positives and false negatives, and the diagnosis of type is commonly best done on clinical factors of the presentation. eg speed of onset, weight and weight loss, presence of ketones.
Having said that there are times when checking cPep and various antibodies can be helpful just as @rebrascora suggests, because some cases are trickier to tie down than others.
While 50% of T1s are diagnosed in childhood. 50% are also diagnosed as adults, and to adults of all shapes and sizes - which may cause some overlap with clinical factors of T2.
Hopefully your clinic will be able to unpick your case @Solama, and put you on the most appropriate treatment plan. 🙂
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Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I would have thought that blood sugars coming down with metformin and not requiring any insulin or additional medication suggests T2. As T1 isn’t an issue of insulin resistance. Do you test your blood sugars and what sort of readings are you getting.
Thank you all for your feedback.
I tested regularly until recently (I have now ran out of test strips) and results were between 5 and 9 - usually around 7 - 8 before breakfast, 5 - 6 before lunch and 5 - 6 before dinner.
I haven't changed my diet but I am careful not to have too much carb and now I avoid sugar and sweet things altogether.
I tested regularly until recently (I have now ran out of test strips) and results were between 5 and 9 - usually around 7 - 8 before breakfast, 5 - 6 before lunch and 5 - 6 before dinner.
I haven't changed my diet but I am careful not to have too much carb and now I avoid sugar and sweet things altogether.
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