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New and all that

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stargirl79

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Other Type
Hi,
Kind of new to this, new to the forum anyway! Gestational diabetes 21 years ago, now being decided whether I'm 1 or 2.
Anyway, hi to anyone who cares to read this
 
Hi and welcome.

Presumably you have been monitored for diabetes in the intervening time. Has your HbA1c suddenly shot up? Do you know the actual result and have you had symptoms?
It is good that they are looking at the possibility of Type 1 as well as Type 2. Have they done further tests for Type 1? GAD antibody and C-peptide blood tests?
There are plenty of us late onset Type 1s on the forum and of course, plenty of Type 2s, so you will have plenty of support whichever group you fall into.

Have they started you on any medication yet and if so, what and how are you managing? I imagine you know the basics if you had gestational diabetes but dietary advice has changed a bit in recent years, particularly with the increase in use of BG meters and now sensors, which enables us to see in much more detail how our bodies respond to various factors including of course food. Much as I would not wish it on anyone, there has never bee a better time to be diabetic in many respects as technology is really dramatically improving lives and long term outlook.

If you have any question, feel free to ask them annd if you fancy a more social aspect from the forum head over to the "Group 7-day waking average" thread where we log in each day with our waking BG reading, have a bit of chat and banter and generally share a bit of our everyday lives and get to know each other better.....We don't bother with the "average" bit in the title anymore, just our first BG reading of the day... I will post a link below...

 
Welcome to the forum, would you like to give a bit more information about your recent diagnosis and what if any medication you have been prescribed. Do you know what your HbA1C is.
I assume you are having the c-peptide and GAD antibody test to confirm your Type.
Meanwhile have you been given any dietary advice.
I suppose having had gestational diabetes you have some idea of what you need to be doing but ideas have changed since then as to how to manage and reduce blood glucose levels by making changes to diet by reducing carbohydrate intake.
This link may be useful to you even if you turn out to be Type 1. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome.

Presumably you have been monitored for diabetes in the intervening time. Has your HbA1c suddenly shot up? Do you know the actual result and have you had symptoms?
It is good that they are looking at the possibility of Type 1 as well as Type 2. Have they done further tests for Type 1? GAD antibody and C-peptide blood tests?
There are plenty of us late onset Type 1s on the forum and of course, plenty of Type 2s, so you will have plenty of support whichever group you fall into.

Have they started you on any medication yet and if so, what and how are you managing? I imagine you know the basics if you had gestational diabetes but dietary advice has changed a bit in recent years, particularly with the increase in use of BG meters and now sensors, which enables us to see in much more detail how our bodies respond to various factors including of course food. Much as I would not wish it on anyone, there has never bee a better time to be diabetic in many respects as technology is really dramatically improving lives and long term outlook.

If you have any question, feel free to ask them annd if you fancy a more social aspect from the forum head over to the "Group 7-day waking average" thread where we log in each day with our waking BG reading, have a bit of chat and banter and generally share a bit of our everyday lives and get to know each other better.....We don't bother with the "average" bit in the title anymore, just our first BG reading of the day... I will post a link below...

Click to expand...
You beat me to it, great minds and all that.
 
Welcome to the forum @stargirl79 . I am glad that you have found us.

What tests have they done for you to determine the Type of diabetes? It will be helpful for you to know which type you are managing.

Any questions that you have just ask. You have already seen that there is plenty of experience to tap into On here. I look forward to hearing more from you.
 
Welcome to the forum @stargirl79

Do you know whether specific tests are being carried out to help with your classification? Eg cPeptide (to measure your insulin production), or GAD antibody checks? These aren’t routine, but can help to clarify things where there is uncertainty over diabetes type.

What advice have you been given as a starting point before your follow-up appointment? And have you been started on any medication?

Keep us posted with any updates 🙂
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome.

Presumably you have been monitored for diabetes in the intervening time. Has your HbA1c suddenly shot up? Do you know the actual result and have you had symptoms?
It is good that they are looking at the possibility of Type 1 as well as Type 2. Have they done further tests for Type 1? GAD antibody and C-peptide blood tests?
There are plenty of us late onset Type 1s on the forum and of course, plenty of Type 2s, so you will have plenty of support whichever group you fall into.

Have they started you on any medication yet and if so, what and how are you managing? I imagine you know the basics if you had gestational diabetes but dietary advice has changed a bit in recent years, particularly with the increase in use of BG meters and now sensors, which enables us to see in much more detail how our bodies respond to various factors including of course food. Much as I would not wish it on anyone, there has never bee a better time to be diabetic in many respects as technology is really dramatically improving lives and long term outlook.

If you have any question, feel free to ask them annd if you fancy a more social aspect from the forum head over to the "Group 7-day waking average" thread where we log in each day with our waking BG reading, have a bit of chat and banter and generally share a bit of our everyday lives and get to know each other better.....We don't bother with the "average" bit in the title anymore, just our first BG reading of the day... I will post a link below...

Click to expand...
Thank you so much, sorry for the delay, no excuse
They've done a GAD and c-peptide test which was sent off to Exeter, I have more bloods this week as the consultant is apparently still undecided. I'm wondering if there is any type of pattern of glucose levels etc which says T1 or T2 that I could use to hasten a proper diagnosis?!
My first HbA1c was 129, they think it's about 6 years undiagnosed. They're all in disbelief that I never felt unwell, the irony is that now I really do feel fairly c**p a lot of the time! A friend had a spare CGM which is incredible, what an absolute game changer, which she gave me, most nights I dip down to 3 and even below some times which isn't great. I'm on Gliclazide, Jardine and a slow release one I've forgotten the name of as I'm out at the moment!
Thanks again
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @stargirl79

Do you know whether specific tests are being carried out to help with your classification? Eg cPeptide (to measure your insulin production), or GAD antibody checks? These aren’t routine, but can help to clarify things where there is uncertainty over diabetes type.

What advice have you been given as a starting point before your follow-up appointment? And have you been started on any medication?

Keep us posted with any updates 🙂
Click to expand...
Hi Mike, thanks so much. As I've just waffled on to someone else, both of those tests have been done but they don't seem in any rush for results. I've massively got obsessed with checking carbs that sugar in everything and keeping them as low as possible, I'm vegan anyway so that's fun to try and eat anything now! I'm on 3 different meds, I'll be very interested to see what my next HbA1c is, my very first finger prick was 27 and now is much better, it shoots up when I eat and everything I eat is sensible, I've had literally no added (I forget the proper word) sugar and very low sugaring carbs, fat etc.
 
Leadinglights said:
Welcome to the forum, would you like to give a bit more information about your recent diagnosis and what if any medication you have been prescribed. Do you know what your HbA1C is.
I assume you are having the c-peptide and GAD antibody test to confirm your Type.
Meanwhile have you been given any dietary advice.
I suppose having had gestational diabetes you have some idea of what you need to be doing but ideas have changed since then as to how to manage and reduce blood glucose levels by making changes to diet by reducing carbohydrate intake.
This link may be useful to you even if you turn out to be Type 1. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks so much. Little advice although few booklets, I've gained most of it from reading online. I won't waffle on too much again as hopefully you can see it in other answers, thanks again for your time and advice
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome.

Presumably you have been monitored for diabetes in the intervening time. Has your HbA1c suddenly shot up? Do you know the actual result and have you had symptoms?
It is good that they are looking at the possibility of Type 1 as well as Type 2. Have they done further tests for Type 1? GAD antibody and C-peptide blood tests?
There are plenty of us late onset Type 1s on the forum and of course, plenty of Type 2s, so you will have plenty of support whichever group you fall into.

Have they started you on any medication yet and if so, what and how are you managing? I imagine you know the basics if you had gestational diabetes but dietary advice has changed a bit in recent years, particularly with the increase in use of BG meters and now sensors, which enables us to see in much more detail how our bodies respond to various factors including of course food. Much as I would not wish it on anyone, there has never bee a better time to be diabetic in many respects as technology is really dramatically improving lives and long term outlook.

If you have any question, feel free to ask them annd if you fancy a more social aspect from the forum head over to the "Group 7-day waking average" thread where we log in each day with our waking BG reading, have a bit of chat and banter and generally share a bit of our everyday lives and get to know each other better.....We don't bother with the "average" bit in the title anymore, just our first BG reading of the day... I will post a link below...

Click to expand...
Ps, no monitoring since then!
 
stargirl79 said:
I'm wondering if there is any type of pattern of glucose levels etc which says T1 or T2 that I could use to hasten a proper diagnosis?!
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not really as regards BG patterns.
Easy or unexplained weight loss is often an indication of Type 1 at diagnosis. Type 2s tend to find it hard to lose weight or are gaining weight at diagnosis. I remember the flesh dropping off me and I was losing a 1lb a day and my arms and legs just didn't look like mine anymore, when I looked down at them.
Unfortunately it takes about 6 weeks for the GAD result to come back. The C-pep was back in a couple of weeks if I remember rightly.

Do be aware that the Libre has limitations and one of it's quirks is that if you lie on it during the night it will record what is called a "compression low" where it will show that you were hypo when you may not have been. It is therefore advised to always check any low or very high readings before taking action, particularly during the night, as when it rebounds from a compression low, it can indicate that you have gone higher than you actually did, so before stuffing a couple of Jelly Babies in your mouth to treat a hypo you need to double check it with a finger prick. Similarly, if you eventually get insulin, double check any high readings before administering a corrective injection of insulin. So if you were seeing your levels drop below 4 during the night and they were quite high most of the day, then it would likely be a compression low rather than a real hypo although Gliclazide can cause hypos.... it works by encouraging your pancreas to produce more insulin.... If you are Type 1 then the Gliclazide will have minimal effect because your insulin producing beta cells are being killed off by your immune system, so using that medication can be a bit like flogging a dead horse. Dietary changes (low carb) will have a much bigger impact but as a vegan that will be more challenging because most sources of protein also come with carbs whereas meat, fish and eggs are pretty much carb free.

I am guessing the other medication is probably slow release Metformin... Does that sound like it?
 
rebrascora said:
Unfortunately not really as regards BG patterns.
Easy or unexplained weight loss is often an indication of Type 1 at diagnosis. Type 2s tend to find it hard to lose weight or are gaining weight at diagnosis. I remember the flesh dropping off me and I was losing a 1lb a day and my arms and legs just didn't look like mine anymore, when I looked down at them.
Unfortunately it takes about 6 weeks for the GAD result to come back. The C-pep was back in a couple of weeks if I remember rightly.

Do be aware that the Libre has limitations and one of it's quirks is that if you lie on it during the night it will record what is called a "compression low" where it will show that you were hypo when you may not have been. It is therefore advised to always check any low or very high readings before taking action, particularly during the night, as when it rebounds from a compression low, it can indicate that you have gone higher than you actually did, so before stuffing a couple of Jelly Babies in your mouth to treat a hypo you need to double check it with a finger prick. Similarly, if you eventually get insulin, double check any high readings before administering a corrective injection of insulin. So if you were seeing your levels drop below 4 during the night and they were quite high most of the day, then it would likely be a compression low rather than a real hypo although Gliclazide can cause hypos.... it works by encouraging your pancreas to produce more insulin.... If you are Type 1 then the Gliclazide will have minimal effect because your insulin producing beta cells are being killed off by your immune system, so using that medication can be a bit like flogging a dead horse. Dietary changes (low carb) will have a much bigger impact but as a vegan that will be more challenging because most sources of protein also come with carbs whereas meat, fish and eggs are pretty much carb free.

I am guessing the other medication is probably slow release Metformin... Does that sound like it?
Click to expand...
That's all really interesting and helpful, thank you. I possibly do lay on it at time although I'm generally pretty whacked when I wake up recently, I'll definitely double check next time though, my levels seem to be creeping up in the morning before I even get up which is odd to me but rheres probably something that makes that make sense!

It's a slow release metformin yes, guess brand doesn't matter too much
Marmite rice cakes and vegetables are my friends for sure, my new jeans are already too baggy but whether that's the cards or the type I don't know yet.

Thanks again
 
Yes, levels rising in the morning is called Dawn Phenomenon. The liver which is a bit like a back up battery to keep our vital organs fueled when we are not getting glucose from food, gears up in the morning to give us energy to start our day. This is believed to be a throwback to prehistoric times when we didn't have kitchens full of food and had to go out and hunt or forage for our first meal of the day. Non-diabetic people produce enough insulin to deal with this but us diabetics see it raising our BG levels because our bodies can't produce enough insulin to cover it and of course walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge doesn't use up much glucose at all. There are little strategies which can sometimes help depending upon what Type of diabeteic you are and the treatment you use. Some Type 2s find that a slow release snack before bed like cheese and an oatcake can stop the liver from churning out so much glucose in the morning, or eating a small snack as soon as they wake up as that can trigger the pancreas to produce insulin (sometimes with Type 2 it needs a bit of a prod) and also switch the liver off from dumping glucose into our blood stream. With Type 1 it is more about strategies of using different insulins, so I often set my alarm to inject my basal insulin an hour before I get up and then before I set foot out of bed, I inject my breakfast insulin plus a couple of units to cover DP or it's slightly more sociable sibling, "Foot on the Floor" Syndrome (FOTF). Anyway, it is perfectly normal, if frustrating, for that rise in BG to happen.
 
rebrascora said:
Yes, levels rising in the morning is called Dawn Phenomenon. The liver which is a bit like a back up battery to keep our vital organs fueled when we are not getting glucose from food, gears up in the morning to give us energy to start our day. This is believed to be a throwback to prehistoric times when we didn't have kitchens full of food and had to go out and hunt or forage for our first meal of the day. Non-diabetic people produce enough insulin to deal with this but us diabetics see it raising our BG levels because our bodies can't produce enough insulin to cover it and of course walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge doesn't use up much glucose at all. There are little strategies which can sometimes help depending upon what Type of diabeteic you are and the treatment you use. Some Type 2s find that a slow release snack before bed like cheese and an oatcake can stop the liver from churning out so much glucose in the morning, or eating a small snack as soon as they wake up as that can trigger the pancreas to produce insulin (sometimes with Type 2 it needs a bit of a prod) and also switch the liver off from dumping glucose into our blood stream. With Type 1 it is more about strategies of using different insulins, so I often set my alarm to inject my basal insulin an hour before I get up and then before I set foot out of bed, I inject my breakfast insulin plus a couple of units to cover DP or it's slightly more sociable sibling, "Foot on the Floor" Syndrome (FOTF). Anyway, it is perfectly normal, if frustrating, for that rise in BG to happen.
Click to expand...
That's so, so interesting, thank you!
 
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