Hello, new (first) test done this morning

[LisaB0151]

Hi Lisa, Welcome to the forum.

With T2 the body does not produce enough insulin, or is not able to use the insulin sufficiently to balance the glucose that is in the blood. The glucose comes from the carbohydrates that we eat. This may be controlled through dietary changes and a more active lifestyle and/or medications which make the pancreas produce more insulin, or make the insulin available work better.

With T1 the body sets some antibodies going, and these gradually destroy the beta cells that are in the pancreas and make insulin. Eventually once these have all gone there is no insulin produced and we have to inject it instead.

Some of the symptoms are common for both, hence the misdiagnosis for people sometimes. The HbA1c will tell you an average levels of glucose in your blood, which will be high for either type. The additional tests for T1 measure the output of insulin (c-peptide) and/or the GAD antibody test which looks for the presence of those pests that are destroying the beta cells.

I hope that all makes sense. Let us know how you get on, and do ask what tests have been done and what your levels are.

I don’t know if I’ve thanked you for this info as I’m on the hoof juggling who is who and already lost track! Thank you though for this information very much

 

[rebrascora]

I'm afraid with symptoms like that you are likely in for a very high HbA1c result. I am guessing 3 figures. That raging thirst is absolutely horrendous isn't it and then the visits to the toilet day and night are so wearying.
I am not sure about the nausea. I started cutting carbs the moment the thirst hit me and I still had an HbA1c of 112 two weeks later when I eventually accepted that I needed to get checked out.

Did they test your urine whilst you were at the docs or ask for you to submit a sample. If not I think it would be wise to test for ketones, particularly with you feeling nauseous. You can buy Ketostix over the counter to check your urine for about £5 at most pharmacies but the GP/nurse should have tested and if you are weeing as much as you say, proving a sample shouldn't be too difficult!!

 

[LisaB0151]

I'm afraid with symptoms like that you are likely in for a very high HbA1c result. I am guessing 3 figures. That raging thirst is absolutely horrendous isn't it and then the visits to the toilet day and night are so wearying.
I am not sure about the nausea. I started cutting carbs the moment the thirst hit me and I still had an HbA1c of 112 two weeks later when I eventually accepted that I needed to get checked out.

Did they test your urine whilst you were at the docs or ask for you to submit a sample. If not I think it would be wise to test for ketones, particularly with you feeling nauseous. You can buy Ketostix over the counter to check your urine for about £5 at most pharmacies but the GP/nurse should have tested and if you are weeing as much as you say, proving a sample shouldn't be too difficult!!

Hi Barbara, no they did not check urine. There’s been no mention of it. I will get the ketostix thanks that’s great I can get them at the pharm.

I’ve had the serious thirst for about 5/6 weeks but had drank a lot of water just this took it to another level and I guessed it needed checking. I’ve spoken with my sis who is 11 years older and we’ve been having similar symptoms and didn’t realise! I’ll mention to her to get the Kstix too!l

Does it give you some kind of guide about the Ketones? Like how many should you have/not have etc?

Thanks again and yes I’ve not been great these last few weeks so I’m very glad it’s getting tested!

 

[rebrascora]

Ketones are usually an issue with uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes rather than Type 2 and can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) which is extremely dangerous so I'm just thinking if you could be Type 1 and your blood glucose levels are horribly high and you are now struggling to eat because you feel sick then being able to check for ketones would be important. If your levels go above 1 then I would seek medical advice. There is a colour chart on the tube with the dip sticks. Similarly, if your breath smells of pear drops or you start to get severe abdominal pain or respiratory problems, these are all linked to DKA and you need to seek urgent medical assistance.
You may be a perfectly ordinary Type 2 and I am perhaps being overly cautious/dramatic but for the sake of £5 better safe than sorry in my book. DKA might happen if your ketone levels went up above 5 but they can rise quite quickly when you have no means of bringing them down (ie insulin) so I would say seek help if you get a reading of 1 or more.

 

[trophywench]

As a T1 - nausea is an absolute symptom of my having ketones, for me. I'd want to have T1 ruled out ASAP - trouble is, even if the GP ordered the two tests which should prove it one way or the other and there's no guarantee that they did, cos they test for all sorts of things alongside diabetes so quite a number of vials taken at the same time - eg cholesterol, thyroid function, liver function, kidney function etc cos all the tubes with the different colour tops already have different types of anti-coagulant in them specific for each different type of test. It is also possible to test for ketones with a fingerprick blood test - but those machines and the test strips for them are expensive so not all GP surgeries will have one instantly available in their repertoire.

So yes - do get the pee testing Stix asap (er, like TODAY please!) and test your pee - if ketones show as anything more than 'scant' - proceed to A&E PDQ. Yes - that urgent! - Red Hot.

 

[LisaB0151]

As a T1 - nausea is an absolute symptom of my having ketones, for me. I'd want to have T1 ruled out ASAP - trouble is, even if the GP ordered the two tests which should prove it one way or the other and there's no guarantee that they did, cos they test for all sorts of things alongside diabetes so quite a number of vials taken at the same time - eg cholesterol, thyroid function, liver function, kidney function etc cos all the tubes with the different colour tops already have different types of anti-coagulant in them specific for each different type of test. It is also possible to test for ketones with a fingerprick blood test - but those machines and the test strips for them are expensive so not all GP surgeries will have one instantly available in their repertoire.

So yes - do get the pee testing Stix asap (er, like TODAY please!) and test your pee - if ketones show as anything more than 'scant' - proceed to A&E PDQ. Yes - that urgent! - Red Hot.

Oh right ok thanks very much for the advice

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

So yes - do get the pee testing Stix asap (er, like TODAY please!) and test your pee - if ketones show as anything more than 'scant' - proceed to A&E PDQ. Yes - that urgent! - Red Hot.

Oh right ok thanks very much for the advice

How are things today @LisaB0151

Did you manage to get any ketostix to put your mind at rest?