Newbie - Hello

[Dulai1970]

Type 2 Diabetic commenced on Metformin 3 yrs ago, was on 500 mg bd, Hba1c in summer 6.7 -

Had covid was off work for 2 weeks, went back to work - passing urine +++, thirsty , off work again after a week —- BMs 25, Hba1c 110, no ketones

Started on Novomix increased today to 11 units am and 8 at night

Consultant feels covid may have contributed, to this elevation, feel tired rotten

Have any other type 2 had this problem after covid?

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome

Sorry to hear your diabetes has progressed and that Covid may be responsible and you are feeling rotten. The insulin should help to bring levels down, but it takes time to slowly and gently find the right doses to bring your levels down into range without dropping you too low. What sort of BG readings are you getting now?
There certainly is a link between diabetes and Covid but I don't think it is fully understood yet, particularly with Type 2. It makes sense with Type 1 because it is an autoimmune condition so anything which agitates the immune system can trigger an onset of Type 1 in people with the predisposition and viruses are certainly believed to be a trigger for many people.

Could you tell us a bit about your initial diagnosis 3 years ago? How did that come about? Was it picked up by a routine blood test or were you symptomatic then and if so, which symptoms and do you know what your Hba1c was at original diagnosis?
Have you made any changes to your diet and activity levels since then or have you just relied on the Metformin to manage your levels?
Do you have much/any weight to lose?

The reason I ask all these questions is to assess whether you might be a possible slow onset (and misdiagnosed) Type 1 and the Covid has triggered your immune system to target your insulin producing beta cells more thoroughly this time and you have perhaps passed a critic point where your body can no longer produce enough..... or if you are more likely a genuine Type 2 and it is some other mechanism of Covid which is raising your BG levels which might be a less permanent situation.
There are quite a lot of us misdiagnosed, more mature, Type 1s here on the forum, so we are perhaps a little more sensitive to suspecting it in others...

 

[Drummer]

Yes - soon after Covid I had a high Hba1c but was not told about it until a year later when it had returned to normal.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Dulai1970

Sorry to hear your diabetes has become so much more difficult recently. High or erratic BGs can make you feel pretty grim

Hopefully once the Novomix is adjusted properly to balance with your diet and your metabolism your levels should begin to come down gently. It’s kinder on your fine blood vessels and nerve endings to reduce your levels gradually - so your Dr has probably started you on a relatively low dose.

Have you been given any guidance on balancing your insulin doses with your food intake?