Hello :)

[KMG]

Hi everyone. Been diagnosed today with type 2 diabetes and I think my GP was as shocked as me. I have nerve issues because of a spinal problem so foot and leg tingles are common and expected with that, and until I mentioned to the doc last week that I was feeling utterly exhausted nothing had raised her suspicions of diabetes. Even then she thought it more likely that I’d have an autoimmune thyroid issue but no, my blood sugar levels are through the roof. She’s starting me on medication and I have an appointment with the diabetes nurse in a couple of weeks. Looking at various information tonight about food etc and I already cook/eat the types of food recommended though I am partial to a chocolate bar with a cup of tea at night, so that’s got to go, but I’m hoping to pick up more tips from all of you.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @KMG

Was there a reason your GP suspected an autoimmune thyroid issue?

I only ask because autoimmune conditions can tend to cluster together, and a rapid onset of high glucose levels could be associated with an autoimmune form of diabetes.

Are there any other atypical aspects of your diagnosis? Are you normal weight? Have you been losing weight without trying recently?

Sometimes T2 can be assigned largely on the basis of “not being a child”, but T1 and LADA can be diagnosed at any age, and at any weight!

Hope the appointment with the nurse is helpful and informative 🙂

 

[KMG]

Hi there, and thank you for your reply. I’m currently having investigations to find out if I have autoimmune arthritis as there are a lot of pointers towards it, so I think that’s what made the gp think auto immune thyroid issues. Sadly I’m not a normal weight as my spine problem has stopped me from going to the gym or being anywhere near as active as I’m used to and I’ve gained weight as a result, though I have lost some lately - a size maybe, and my wedding ring, new in ‘21, is falling off. I think all will become clearer after more blood tests in a month and my visit with the diabetes nurse . I’ve spent today sorting out my pantry and other than my naughty stash of nighttime chocs there’s nothing ‘bad’ in there. I’m going to swap breakfast cereal and toast for apples, yoghurt and sometimes porridge, but lunch and dinner are already ‘good’ so I am struggling to see what dietary changes I can make to improve things.

If it was T1 or LADA wouldn’t I have symptoms other than exhaustion ? That’s rhetorical really, I can Google, but I always think of T1 as being super dangerous if not kept on top of and haven’t heard of LADA before now.

Thanks again.

 

[Drummer]

@KMG It isn't the chocolate which is the problem it is the loads of sugar added to make it cheaper. If you get a high cocoa chocolate then it should be fine to eat a little - though it is far easier to eat just one square of a high cocoa chocolate than a high sugar one.
Apples are quite high carb, as is porridge, I don't eat them regularly and I limit the apples from my own trees quite severely. What we are told are good healthy food choices really are not advisable for those unable to cope with the starch and sugar in a modern diet.

 

[KMG]

The info about swapping to apples or similar instead of a banana was on the Diabetes UK website as it was saying to have slower release foods and specifically said have an apple instead. Hopefully I’ll be less confused once I’ve seen the nurse. I see you’ve shared your blood results…My HbA1c is currently 146 ‍

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

If it was T1 or LADA wouldn’t I have symptoms other than exhaustion ? That’s rhetorical really, I can Google, but I always think of T1 as being super dangerous if not kept on top of and haven’t heard of LADA before now.

LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adulthood) is a form of T1/autoimmune diabetes that can come on more slowly in later life. It involves the immune system destroying beta cells just like T1, but at a more leisurely pace, which can mean it resembles T2 to begin with, and may even appear to respond to T2 treatment options.

As the immune system continues to whittle away at the beta cell mass though, eventually the inevitable tipping point is reached, and insulin will be required. Though this can take years in some cases.

Might be worth bearing in mind during chats with your GP, in case they want to run GAD antibody and cPeptide checks to confirm your diabetes type?

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

There are several things you've said which suggest it may be type 1 or LADA (which is basically the same as type 1, just slower to start, as Mike says), @KMG - so if I were you I'd definitely ask your GP to do those GAD antibody and C-Peptide tests, as a matter of urgency as your HbA1c is so high - I wouldn't want to wait a month.

HbA1c of 146 would be very rare in previously undiagnosed type 2, whereas very high HbA1c is usual in untreated type 1.
Autoimmune conditions tend to go together and type 1 is an autoimmune condition.
Losing weight (without specifically trying to) is a common sign of type 1.
And yes, you could have type 1 with the only symptom (initially) being extreme exhaustion.

As you say, type 1 can be super dangerous if not treated, it can lead to Ketoacidosis - https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/diabetic_ketoacidosis - so it would be sensible for you to get a pot of Ketostix (you may be able to get them from local pharmacy, or otherwise can find online) and test your urine for ketones. They aren't expensive and are easy to use - you just wee on a stick and see if it changes colour (more detailed instructions are on the pot). If you do have anything other than trace ketones or if you get symptoms of Ketoacidosis please don't wait to talk to your GP or nurse, go straight to A&E.

The good news is that if you do have type 1, then once it is treated, it's manageable and you don't have to change your diet or give up your chocolate! But you need to find out, one way or another, which type you have. GPs and surgery diabetes nurses often don't know much about type 1 as it's rare and a specialist field, so your GP may have based her diagnosis of type 2 on your being an adult, not realising that about half of type 1s are diagnosed as adults.

 

[KMG]

Hello 🙂 just an update. Four months on from my diagnosis I’m on the highest dose (I think ) of metformin and have been pretty good at changing my diet based on what I’ve read and learned - the diabetes nurse nor my gp gave me any specific advise which I found quite odd, but google has been my friend and I’ve learned a lot. Latest HBA1C is 47 and I’ve dropped almost 20kg so am feeling very much better than I was previously. My blood glucose still goes higher than ideal if I eat carbs with my meals but I can occasionally have a half jacket potato if I eat my protein first as that seems to help me regulate things. 99% of my finger pricks are now in the ‘normal’ range, the ones that aren’t being those I take first thing in the morning after 12+ hours of no food - they can still be around 7mmol so I’ll ask my dr about that when I get to see her to discuss latest bloods in September.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hello 🙂 just an update. Four months on from my diagnosis I’m on the highest dose (I think ) of metformin and have been pretty good at changing my diet based on what I’ve read and learned - the diabetes nurse nor my gp gave me any specific advise which I found quite odd, but google has been my friend and I’ve learned a lot. Latest HBA1C is 47 and I’ve dropped almost 20kg so am feeling very much better than I was previously. My blood glucose still goes higher than ideal if I eat carbs with my meals but I can occasionally have a half jacket potato if I eat my protein first as that seems to help me regulate things. 99% of my finger pricks are now in the ‘normal’ range, the ones that aren’t being those I take first thing in the morning after 12+ hours of no food - they can still be around 7mmol so I’ll ask my dr about that when I get to see her to discuss latest bloods in September.

WOW what a fantastic achievement in a relatively short time, your strategy has obviously worked for you.
The slightly higher morning reading is something many experience and is often called Foot on the Floor Phenomenon where the liver tries to be super helpful and releases glucose to give you energy for the day in the absence of food. Some people find testing before they get out of bed will make a bit of difference, not a lot Type2s can do about it.

 

[KMG]

WOW what a fantastic achievement in a relatively short time, your strategy has obviously worked for you.
The slightly higher morning reading is something many experience and is often called Foot on the Floor Phenomenon where the liver tries to be super helpful and releases glucose to give you energy for the day in the absence of food. Some people find testing before they get out of bed will make a bit of difference, not a lot Type2s can do about it.

I’d not heard of that before - helpful liver, eh It’s frustrating to not have control, so I don’t test every morning as I’d be dispirited and when I’m doing ok on the whole, I don’t want that feeling to take over. Thank you.

 

[KMG]

My latest update is that I’ve lost, so far, a total of 33kg, dropped from a size 22 to a size 12, and my last hba1c in November was 43. My doctor lowered my dose of metformin by half, and I’m due for another test in February. At that point, if I’m still at a good number, she’s going to take me off metformin altogether to see if I can maintain good numbers without medication.

From being petrified at diagnosis in April ‘23, to 10 months later having made good progress, I just wanted to say to newly diagnosed people that it is possible to get to grips with T2 diabetes and regain your health. I’m feeling a million times better than I was before diagnosis, and I’m so glad I didn’t just bury my head in the sand and hope it would go away.

 

[Lucyr]

33kg loss is incredible, that’s over 5 stone lost! Well done if that’s from your dietary changes! Sounds like it is with your blood sugars being good.

 

[Drummer]

@KMG I am so pleased to read you are doing well - our profiles are similar so I know just what a relief it is to see normal numbers, but I am 7 years from diagnosis and finding that it goes on getting better. I'm just back from dance practice with a Longsword team - I play the music for them.