New type 2

[Pjlg11]

I’m on high dose of steroids for life due to Addison’s disease
just been diagnosed with type 2 is there anyone else have the same issues and how you deal with it
been started on metformin 500mg slow release medication

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum
Steroids are well known for raising blood glucose but as you are on them for life then it is probably something that is not going to go away. How you manage to keep your blood glucose may well be a combination of dietary measures and medication.
Depending on how high your HbA1C is, so how far into the diabetic range your are will determine how much work you will need to do. Many find a low carb approach is successful and this link may help you with some ideas https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Some find a low calorie or shakes-based regime works for them but that may not be so suitable as yours is steroid induced diabetes.
However it may also depend if you have been prescribed any medication as yet as to how you approach things.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Pjlg11 🙂

Do they think that your diabetes has been brought on by the steroids used to treat your Addisons? (sometimes called steroid-induced diabetes).

Addisons often has an autoimmune origin, amd autoimmune conditions can come in clusters, so there may be a chance that your diabetes could be autoimmune in nature (T1, or LADA/T1.5). Do you know if you are being checked for GAD antibodies?

Might be worth asking the question, as the treatment for different types of diabetes can be quite different, and having an accurate classification can really help getting access to the appropriate options, technology, education courses etc.

@Pumper_Sue has been living with Addison’s for many years alongside T1, so may be able to offer some pointers?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I’m on high dose of steroids for life due to Addison’s disease
just been diagnosed with type 2 is there anyone else have the same issues and how you deal with it
been started on metformin 500mg slow release medication

Hello and welcome to the forum.
I'm not sure why you are on high doses of steroids for Addison's as the idea of the HC is to replace what you do not produce yourself. Normal dose is between 20 - 25mg of HC a day.

So no the steroids would not have caused your diabetes.
If your Addison's is the autoimmune type then keep an eye on your blood sugars as type1 diabetes is also autoimmune.
This site is very informative regarding Addison's disease https://www.addisonsdisease.org.uk/surgery

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Welcome to the forum
Steroids are well known for raising blood glucose but as you are on them for life then it is probably something that is not going to go away. How you manage to keep your blood glucose may well be a combination of dietary measures and medication.
Depending on how high your HbA1C is, so how far into the diabetic range your are will determine how much work you will need to do. Many find a low carb approach is successful and this link may help you with some ideas https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Some find a low calorie or shakes-based regime works for them but that may not be so suitable as yours is steroid induced diabetes.
However it may also depend if you have been prescribed any medication as yet as to how you approach things.

With Addison's disease the idea of the steroids is to stop blood sugars dropping through the floor boards, as Addison's causes low BS and and BP due to adrenal glands not working.

 

[Leadinglights]

With Addison's disease the idea of the steroids is to stop blood sugars dropping through the floor boards, as Addison's causes low BS and and BP due to adrenal glands not working.

So if that is the case how would diabetes be managed if steroids are keeping blood glucose from dropping. Low carb would not be appropriate then.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

So if that is the case how would diabetes be managed if steroids are keeping blood glucose from dropping. Low carb would not be appropriate then.

The HC is to keep the correct amount of cortisol in your body so you can function (live) It has nothing to do with what you eat.
Being as simplistic as I can to try and explain it.............. insulin is administered to someone with type1 diabetes so they can survive, I can go all day without eating as long as I have the correct basal amount.

HC does exactly the same except it replaces cortisol which OP does not produce naturally themselves.
If you don't have enough cortisol you could eat 500 carbs and still be hypo. Oh and die as an added bonus.

 

[Leadinglights]

The HC is to keep the correct amount of cortisol in your body so you can function (live) It has nothing to do with what you eat.
Being as simplistic as I can to try and explain it.............. insulin is administered to someone with type1 diabetes so they can survive, I can go all day without eating as long as I have the correct basal amount.

HC does exactly the same except it replaces cortisol which OP does not produce naturally themselves.
If you don't have enough cortisol you could eat 500 carbs and still be hypo. Oh and die as an added bonus.

So the OP has been diagnosed with Type 2 and been prescribed metformin so that is presumably because blood glucose is too high so how do they stop going high without going too low.
Is it likely that they are actually Type 1.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

So the OP has been diagnosed with Type 2 and been prescribed metformin so that is presumably because blood glucose is too high so how do they stop going high without going too low.
Is it likely that they are actually Type 1.

I think you have completely got hold of the wrong end of the stick.

 

[Lucyr]

So the OP has been diagnosed with Type 2 and been prescribed metformin so that is presumably because blood glucose is too high so how do they stop going high without going too low.
Is it likely that they are actually Type 1.

It’s perhaps safest to say nothing when someone posts for advice on a more complex case or an area you don’t understand rather than just posting the same advice you give to everyone

 

[rebrascora]

I think you have completely got hold of the wrong end of the stick.

It might help us all understand at little better including the original poster if you were able to explain a little more. Is it that the balance of steroids is wrong which is causing the diabetes. Would the OP be well advised to ask for insulin to manage it rather than Metformin since this is a life long situation.

We all know that primary care staff are often not very knowledgeable about different types of diabetes and people get misclassified from time to time and in those situations are put on the wrong treatment, sometimes for long periods of time and there can be a battle to get the correct classification and treatment.
Added to that that Metformin can sometimes have uncomfortable side effects, I am just wondering whether there might be a different and more effective treatment plan for such a patient, that they would be advised to push for.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

It might help us all understand at little better including the original poster if you were able to explain a little more. Is it that the balance of steroids is wrong which is causing the diabetes. Would the OP be well advised to ask for insulin to manage it rather than Metformin since this is a life long situation.

With respect, we have no idea of the circumstances regarding diabetes diagnoses do we so it's anyone's guess.
OP says they are on high doses of steroids! What is a high dose in their opinion? If overdosed on steroids over a long period then yep problems will arise which include cataracts steroid induced diabetes, cushings disease.

Basically as I have said we know nothing so can not comment.
Many people have Addison's without diabetes.

Added to that that Metformin can sometimes have uncomfortable side effects, I am just wondering whether there might be a different and more effective treatment plan for such a patient, that they would be advised to push for.

Again we know nothing of the cause so can not make any suggestions.
I would be interested to know what this high dose of steroid is.