Hello , newly diagnosed Lada type 1

[Wendums60]

Hello everyone.
I’ve just been diagnosed with late onset type 1 , it hasn’t come as a complete shock, as diabetes runs in my family although I was pre-diabetic two years ago and after a period of immense stress which I wonder if it’s related or not I’ve shot through the roof with my sugar levels with a reading of 121 on my HBA1 C test. Would like to know if anyone has had similar changes after a stressful period ( bereavement, selling family home, leaving job after 35 years)
I’m keen to manage this as best I can and have been referred to secondary care. I’m also doing lots of research on carbs, et cetera., however the thing I’m struggling with at the moment is a variation in blood glucose readings.
I had 2 cups of tea this morning with sweetener, and two poached eggs, wholemeal bread, and a dash of clover spread.
I took my bloods this morning, 9.3, had my breakfast, took my bloods again two hours later, first one 9.7, second 13.5 , so I thought I’ll take a third, 15.4 how the heck are you supposed to keep track of your Bloods if these readings are so inconsistent, I’m only on Metformin at the moment, until I get my appointment with the consultant.
I had marmalade yesterday morning and it really spiked which I thought it would, does anyone have the same trouble with their machines, thank you so much
Wendy

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Wendums60 🙂 Sorry to hear about your difficult times. The blood glucose meters have a margin of error of 15% so it’s normal to see different readings. I only re-test if I think I’ve messed up my first test.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello everyone.
I’ve just been diagnosed with late onset type 1 , it hasn’t come as a complete shock, as diabetes runs in my family although I was pre-diabetic two years ago and after a period of immense stress which I wonder if it’s related or not I’ve shot through the roof with my sugar levels with a reading of 121 on my HBA1 C test. Would like to know if anyone has had similar changes after a stressful period ( bereavement, selling family home, leaving job after 35 years)
I’m keen to manage this as best I can and have been referred to secondary care. I’m also doing lots of research on carbs, et cetera., however the thing I’m struggling with at the moment is a variation in blood glucose readings.
I had 2 cups of tea this morning with sweetener, and two poached eggs, wholemeal bread, and a dash of clover spread.
I took my bloods this morning, 9.3, had my breakfast, took my bloods again two hours later, first one 9.7, second 13.5 , so I thought I’ll take a third, 15.4 how the heck are you supposed to keep track of your Bloods if these readings are so inconsistent, I’m only on Metformin at the moment, until I get my appointment with the consultant.
I had marmalade yesterday morning and it really spiked which I thought it would, does anyone have the same trouble with their machines, thank you so much
Wendy

I would not expect such variation in reading taken within a few minutes of each other unless there is a problem with either the monitor or the strips or something like you forgot to wash your hands. However those levels don't seem out of step with an HbA1C of over 100mmol/mol and the food you had for breakfast well at least the 9 ish.
I would have thought given your diagnosis you should already have been prescribed insulin.

 

[Wendums60]

Welcome @Wendums60 🙂 Sorry to hear about your difficult times. The blood glucose meters have a margin of error of 15% so it’s normal to see different readings. I only re-test if I think I’ve messed up my first test.

Ah , Thankyou , that’s good to know , I’ll stick to the first reading ! I had all the usual symptoms, itchy parts , thirst , peeing et cetera so I went and had a full MOT at the doctors. They thought it was Type 2 at first, but when I went to see the diabetic nurse, she said because my reading was so high , they are attributing it to Type 1 . Thanks so much for the quick reply , much appreciated. Xx

 

[Wendums60]

I would not expect such variation in reading taken within a few minutes of each other unless there is a problem with either the monitor or the strips or something like you forgot to wash your hands. However those levels don't seem out of step with an HbA1C of over 100mmol/mol and the food you had for breakfast well at least the 9 ish.
I would have thought given your diagnosis you should already have been prescribed insulin.

Yeah , that’s what they have suggested , but the nurse is only primary care , so she doesn’t have the authority to refer me.
I’m hoping it’s not too long before I get an appointment. I feel reasonably okay, and she said if it goes up into the 20s then I have to go to A&E, so I’ll just have to keep an eye on it. What is nice is that I’m not peering so much I’m not so thirsty And it’s much better down under as well, so something must be working. Really glad I’ve joined this forum and for the quick responses. It’s nice to know you’re not the only one with questions.
Thank you so much.

 

[Leadinglights]

Ah , Thankyou , that’s good to know , I’ll stick to the first reading ! I had all the usual symptoms, itchy parts , thirst , peeing et cetera so I went and had a full MOT at the doctors. They thought it was Type 2 at first, but when I went to see the diabetic nurse, she said because my reading was so high , they are attributing it to Type 1 . Thanks so much for the quick reply , much appreciated. Xx

There are a couple of test that could confirm your diagnosis, c-peptide and GAD antibodies.
If they are sure you are Type 1.5 I am surprised they have not prescribed insulin.
It is usually the other way round people are diagnosed as Type 2 but are actually Type 1, I don't think high blood glucose is definitely indicates Type 1.

 

[Leadinglights]

Yeah , that’s what they have suggested , but the nurse is only primary care , so she doesn’t have the authority to refer me.
I’m hoping it’s not too long before I get an appointment. I feel reasonably okay, and she said if it goes up into the 20s then I have to go to A&E, so I’ll just have to keep an eye on it. What is nice is that I’m not peering so much I’m not so thirsty And it’s much better down under as well, so something must be working. Really glad I’ve joined this forum and for the quick responses. It’s nice to know you’re not the only one with questions.
Thank you so much.

It would be worth getting some ketone urine dip sticks to check if your blood glucose is in the high teens as there can be a risk of DKA which would need immediate medical attention.

 

[Lucyr]

I took my bloods this morning, 9.3, had my breakfast, took my bloods again two hours later, first one 9.7, second 13.5 , so I thought I’ll take a third, 15.4 how the heck are you supposed to keep track of your Bloods if these readings are so inconsistent

Wash and dry your hands first then take one reading not 3. Only retest if you feel different to the bg eg you feel low and it says high then re wash and retest.

 

[Wendums60]

They’ve done the Gad test , I was originally diagnosed with type 2 which is probably why they didn’t put me on insulin straight away and just metformin , but because of that result they’ve changed it to type 1 or type 1.5 late onset , I did notice that I felt better after taking Metformin and have had no side-effects apart from some extra wind!
So it appears that I’m not producing enough insulin rather all than none at all?

 

[Lucyr]

They thought it was Type 2 at first, but when I went to see the diabetic nurse, she said because my reading was so high , they are attributing it to Type 1 .

This isn’t how type 1 is diagnosed so hopefully the hospital will do some tests to decide which type it is. A type 2 can easily have a hba1c over 100 at diagnosis too.

 

[Lucyr]

They’ve done the Gad test , I was originally diagnosed with type 2 which is probably why they didn’t put me on insulin straight away and just metformin , but because of that result they’ve changed it to type 1 or type 1.5 late onset , I did notice that I felt better after taking Metformin and have had no side-effects apart from some extra wind!
So it appears that I’m not producing enough insulin rather all than none at all?

Ah you posted this at the same time, a gad test doesn’t tell you how much insulin you produce, a Cpeptide test tells you that. I imagine the hospital will do one.

 

[Wendums60]

It would be worth getting some ketone urine dip sticks to check if your blood glucose is in the high teens as there can be a risk of DKA which would need immediate medical attention.

Yep , I’ve got those , ketones seem ok , but glucose not ! Or are there ones just for ketones ?

 

[Leadinglights]

Yep , I’ve got those , ketones seem ok , but glucose not ! Or are there ones just for ketones ?

Some blood glucose monitors also take blood ketone strips but they are expensive but urine ketone dip sticks are pretty cheap and have a colour code for the result, they ca be obtained from a pharmacy.

 

[Wendums60]

This isn’t how type 1 is diagnosed so hopefully the hospital will do some tests to decide which type it is. A type 2 can easily have a hba1c over 100 at diagnosis too.

Oh right
That’s interesting, The nurse didn’t say it was for definite, but quite likely , so defo need those tests done to confirm . My dad ignored his symptoms completely and wouldn’t go to the doctor, sadly he got taken ill one week, and was gone the next, but I never knew which type he had, although they were showing him how to inject inching into an orange when he was in hospital so kind of clued up, about the symptoms. My grandfather also had it he had neuropathy had his leg amputated and died from grin so you can imagine I don’t wanna head in the same direction but they didn’t have the technology that they’ve got now

 

[Wendums60]

Some blood glucose monitors also take blood ketone strips but they are expensive but urine ketone dip sticks are pretty cheap and have a colour code for the result, they ca be obtained from a pharmacy.

Ok that’s good , I’ll get some of those
Thankyou

 

[Wendums60]

Oh right
That’s interesting, The nurse didn’t say it was for definite, but quite likely , so defo need those tests done to confirm . My dad ignored his symptoms completely and wouldn’t go to the doctor, sadly he got taken ill one week, and was gone the next, but I never knew which type he had, although they were showing him how to inject inching into an orange when he was in hospital so kind of clued up, about the symptoms. My grandfather also had it he had neuropathy had his leg amputated and died from grin so you can imagine I don’t wanna head in the same direction but they didn’t have the technology that they’ve got now

So a couple of typos , should be insulin and gangrene ,

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Ah , Thankyou , that’s good to know , I’ll stick to the first reading !

This table shows the allowable variation in readings under the current regulations for BG meters. Some meters make more use of this allowable range than others. Which meter have you got?

BG meter accuracy
It can be quite disconcerting for members new to self monitoring of blood glucose to get different results from BG readings taken close together, even when carefully following manufacturers guidance (washing hands etc). All meters for sale in the UK should comply with the following ISO standards 95% of the time, which allows a degree of variation (and 5% of results can read anything at all). If in any doubt, or if a reading doesn’t match how you are feeling, you should check again with a fresh strip.

 

[Wendums60]

I’ve 2 actually , the one I bought myself from Amazon , is a Sinocare , then the nurse gave me a Contour plus blue , but I’ve only used that one 3 times as I’m waiting for more lances and strips plus a sharps bin on prescription .
Needless to say they both gave different readings !

 

[Leadinglights]

I’ve 2 actually , the one I bought myself from Amazon , is a Sinocare , then the nurse gave me a Contour plus blue , but I’ve only used that one 3 times as I’m waiting for more lances and strips plus a sharps bin on prescription .
Needless to say they both gave different readings !

I think I recall people reporting they had had problems with the Sinocare monitor. Many people reuse the lancets many times. Often the problem with sharps bins is getting rid of them when they are full as many pharmacies don't take them back.

 

[Wendums60]

I think I recall people reporting they had had problems with the Sinocare monitor. Many people reuse the lancets many times. Often the problem with sharps bins is getting rid of them when they are full as many pharmacies don't take them back.

Ahh ok
Maybe I should use the other one ?
I have to contact Medisort when she bin is full , my nieces husband is type 1 he uses a pump and a patch but even he’s so sometimes it’s difficult to regulate the insulin, what’s your experience? Is that the better option?