Newbie here

[dee23]

I have just been diagnosed diabetic but still waiting on blood tests to see what type! They were sent off 4/5 weeks ago, god it's overwhelming. I'm a nervous wreck.

 

[pjgtech]

Hi and welcome, thats a long time to wait, have you chased them up at all, or do you use the online NHS app, (for example, Patient Access) as if so it usually shows you any test results without having to speak to a HCP.
If you can share a few more details, that would be good and gives others a chance to offer more appropriate advice, eg: how old you are? what symptoms did you have or why were you tested? do you need to lose weight? are you on any medication or have other health issues, etc? just share what you are happy with or not as you feel comfortable with.

 

[mashedupmatt]

Hi @dee23 and welcome to the forum - if you have been waiting 4 weeks it sounds like they may be doing an autoantibody test - did they tell you any numbers as to why they were you diagnosing you as a diabetic? Your HbA1c for example?

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

It took a good 6 weeks for my antibody test result to come back and I think that is quite normal, so you do need to be a bit patient.
Have they started you on insulin yet or are they waiting for the results first?
Would you like to tell us a bit about how your diagnosis came about? Was it picked up via a routine blood test or were you symptomatic and if so, which symptoms?

 

[silver minion]

Hi @dee23 and welcome to the forum. It's very normal to feel overwhelmed when you are told you have diabetes. I was only diagnosed a year ago and remember how anxious it made me feel. Joining the forum was really helpful. I got a lot of support.
People on here are very friendly and happy to share their experience and advice about living with diabetes.

Do ask as many questions as you wish. Nothing is considered trivial or silly. We have all been there, as newly diagnosed. It can be a lot to get your head around but you will get there.

 

[Alan44]

Hi @dee23 and welcome to the forum.

Your HbA1c score is your starting point, this will tell you how much and what you need to do to improve it.

If you are T2 you may just need small lifestyle changes, with regard to weight, diet and exercise in order to improve your HbA1c score.
Waiting 4 - 5 weeks does sound like a long time as HbA1c results should be back within a few days. It may be worth you chasing up your surgery or if you can check your own results online.

Alan 😉

I've edited my response for clarification

 

[helli]

Your HbA1c score is your starting point, this will tell you how much and what you need to do to improve it

The Hba1c does not determine type of diabetes.
And, if it is not type 2, it will be no indication of what you need to improve it.

 

[Lucyr]

thats a long time to wait, have you chased them up at all, or do you use the online NHS app, (for example, Patient Access) as if so it usually shows you any test results without having to speak to a HCP

That’s not true. Tests to determine type of diabetes can take 6-8 weeks to come back. Also they’re rarely ordered by a GP, typically ordered by a hospital as needed special processing and you can’t see blood test results ordered by the hospital in the NHS app which is a GP app

 

[Lucyr]

Some people just need small lifestyle changes, with regard to weight, diet and exercise in order to improve their HbA1c score.

As the OP is waiting to find out their type of diabetes this really isn’t helpful. If it’s type 1 then no amount of small lifestyle changes will help, and hba1c won’t be the test that tells them their type of diabetes

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @dee23

Sorry to hear you’ve been left in limbo for so many weeks. It’s hardly surprising you are finding that stressful.

Were you started on any meds or treatment plan in the interim (this has happened to others on the forum whose diagnosis was uncertain).

Hopefully your results will be available soon, and you can get the most appropriate treatment and education rolling.

Edited to add: If you are T2, then as others are saying, you may be able to tackle things with some tweaks and changes to your menu. If it’s T1 though, you’ll need to be started on insulin. Those antibody checks can take an age to come back, which clearly isn’t helping. In the meantime (without wanting to worry you) if you get a raging unquenchable thirst, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, or a weird pear drop / nail polish remover smell on your breath, please go straight to A&E, as unconfirmed T1 can turn pretty feisty at short notice in some cases.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @dee23 . Any diagnosis can be overwhelming and you have come to the right place to get plenty of help and answers to any questions that arise.

It will be a lot easier once you know which type of Diabetes you have. As others have said the tests for type 1 take about 6 weeks, and there is no instant test for this. With Type 2 some are able to manage this with small changes to their diet and lifestyle, for Type 1 we have to learn how to match our insulin to what we choose to eat.

Sounds like a big task? Just tap into the wealth of experience on here and know that no questions are considered silly. Just ask.

 

[pjgtech]

That’s not true. Tests to determine type of diabetes can take 6-8 weeks to come back. Also they’re rarely ordered by a GP, typically ordered by a hospital as needed special processing and you can’t see blood test results ordered by the hospital in the NHS app which is a GP app

Ah ok, did not realise, thought this was just a "normal" HbA1c type blood test, that makes more sense, cheers.

 

[HayleyR]

Hi @dee23 and a warm welcome from me too 🙂 ! It certainly must be very stressful for you to have to wait so long for the diagnosis but you have come to the right place here to get help and support. Keep us updated...