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Hi, I've been diagnosed with type 2 just over a year, but it has only recently sank in.

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Kezzann

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Type 2
I was diagnosed with 2 readings of a hb1ac of 50, and I started with diet changes and 500mg of metformin since I have other conditions that make exercise very difficult and painful for me. All went well my next review my hb1ac was at 48 so I was so pleased. About 3 months ago I started to suddenly loose weight, I lost about 2 stone in a month and other issues were arrising. I saw my GP for a totally different reason but she actually had time for me and listened, it was only about a month before I had a hb1ac result of 52, but she asked many blood tests and my hb1ac came back at 98....I was so shocked and it gave me a massve wake up call. She took advice from the hospital diabetic service and they saidto initially increase my metformin to 2g daily.

I am happy to say that my hb1ac is now 79...I know still far too high....and I am struggling to come to terms with all this at the same time as being told I have non alcholic fatty liver disease and I'm waiting a fibro scan to help find out what stage that is at...though from an MRI they do know it is at least stage 2 (NASH). I am confused as to if a glucose monitor will help me, though I have made some dietary changes, I wonder if it would be useful knowing what makes my levels worse and adjusting ect.

I really need to get rid of weight whilst actually trying but it is still coming off, not quite as fast but I am not trying so it is making it so hard to stick to a healthy diet even though I know I need to.
 
Your sudden weight loss and sharp increase in HbA1c suggest you may be a form of Type 1 rather than Type 2. Diagnosis of diabetes is made via an HbA1c blood test but there is no specific test for Type 2. It is made as an assessment of clinical factors, largely BMI, age and poor diet. Many GPs still believe that Type 1 can only exhibit in children and young people so if you are middle aged or older then you must by default be Type 2.... which is incorrect. Unexplained weight loss is often an indication of Type 1.... the 4 Ts... Thirst, Toilet Tired and Thinner. The onset of Type 1 in later life is often slower than in children and sometimes initially presents as Type 2 and can often respond to Type 2 medication and dietary changes for weeks, months or sometimes many years before eventually there are not enough beta cells left to keep BG levels in check and then things start to get out of control quite rapidly. If you have made some dietary changes since that 98 result then that will have helped a bit and may be why your levels have come down to 79 but that progress may not last if you are in fact a slow onset Type 1
I would be asking your GP to explain why they think you are Type 2 rather than Type 1 and can they test you for Type 1 (GAD antibody and C-peptide tests) or refer you to a specialist diabetes clinic where testing could be sanctioned.
 
That is really interesting, thank you both, I will chat to my GP, I had no idea that it could potentially be type 1, but from what you said it makes sense.
 
Welcome to the forum @Kezzann

Hope the appointment with your GP goes well, let us know how you get on 🙂
 
Hi, everyone, I am really confused, My GP said my GAD antibodies were fine and there was no point doing C-Peptide tests. However I spent a few days in hospital a couple of weeks ago for abdo pain and had a phone consultation with the gastrologist, he said my pancreas has stopped producing enzymes that break down food so has given me medication to take with food that replaces these enzymes. I know insulin production is a different function of the pancreas, but is it likely this has become impared/given up too? Apparently he expected my pancreas to appear abnormal from the MRI I had in hospital, but its appearance was totally normal. The gastro consultant had other things to tell me, unrelated to diabetes I think and only later did I begin to take it all in and form questions!
 
Is it Creon that you’ve been given @Kezzann ?

I wonder if you might be type 3c if that’s the case?

What is type 3c diabetes?

You may have heard of the more common types of diabetes like type 1, type 2 and gestational. But there are actually many other types of diabetes that aren't as well known. Type 3c diabetes develops because of the damage to the pancreas, which can happen for a few different reasons. And although...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Is it Creon that you’ve been given @Kezzann ?

I wonder if you might be type 3c if that’s the case?

What is type 3c diabetes?

You may have heard of the more common types of diabetes like type 1, type 2 and gestational. But there are actually many other types of diabetes that aren't as well known. Type 3c diabetes develops because of the damage to the pancreas, which can happen for a few different reasons. And although...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk
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Thank you so much for your reply.

Yes it is Creon, this is really interesting and reading about type 3c certainly fits. Do you know if treatment with metformin or insulin necessary with type 3? I know dietary changes will help with my overall well being regardless, just wondering if diet alone will not be sufficient if I have type 3c?
 
Kezzann said:
Thank you so much for your reply.

Yes it is Creon, this is really interesting and reading about type 3c certainly fits. Do you know if treatment with metformin or insulin necessary with type 3? I know dietary changes will help with my overall well being regardless, just wondering if diet alone will not be sufficient if I have type 3c?
Click to expand...

I think it would depend on the nature of the damage to the pancreas? And how much insulin production remains.

We have a few type 3c’s on the forum (@eggyg is one of the most frequent posters), some of whom have had partial or total pancreatectomies.

But type 3c seems to cover quite a wide range of situations, so I guess only a specialist could advise. It doesn‘t seem to be all that well understood as a diabetes type outside of specialist hospital settings.
 
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everydayupsanddowns said:
I think it would depend on the nature of the damage to the pancreas? And how much insulin production remains.

We have a few type 3c’s on the forum (@eggyg is one of the most frequent posters), some of whom have had partial or total pancreatectomies.

But type 3c seems to cover quite a wide range of situations, so I guess only a specialist could advise. It doesn‘t seem to be all that well understood as a diabetes type outside of specilaist hospital settings.
Click to expand...
That is really helpful thank you
 
My GP didn't have a clue about type 3C but understood why I mentioned the possibility so he has refered me to the hospital diabetes service, I have been waiting about a month now and hope to be seen soon. I have been monitoring my blood measurements the results are best when I avoid cards but even with salad and chicken my readings are no lower than 12, very occassionally 10 point something four or five hours after food. I went for diabetic eye screening last week at the diabetes and endocrine center and they said it is likely I need more than metformin to bring my blood glucose under control.
 
Hope you get a follow-up appointment soon @Kezzann

It would be worth keeping a food diary for a week or two, so that the hospital clinic can see how much you have cut back your carb intake. That will help them understand your BG levels in context. 🙂
 
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If you are T1 or 3c ONLY insulin will do.

Dr was wrong that c-peptide was not needed - many late onset type 1s do not show antibodies. It would have shown 3c also.
 
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