Newbie LADA diabetic

[Pete1234]

Hello there!

Newbie to these forums.

I was at first diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic, but have fairly recently been re-diagnosed as LADA (treated as chronic Type1). I understand there is no recognised treatment pathway for LADA diabetics at the moment.

The medicine regime I have recently been been given, consisting of Humulin and Trurapi, appears to drop my blood glucose levels below 10mmol/L for only a short time before climbing back up to much higher levels, typically anywhere between 17mmol/L to 20mml/L. This is too high. My diabetic nurse has made some minor adjustments to increase dosage, but it appears to have made little difference. So I am quite worried about it.

Are there any other LADA diabetics out there who may have experienced something similar, and if so, did you find a satisfactory resolution?

Thanks!

Pete

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Pete1234 🙂 There’s no recognised treatment path for LADA because some consultants don’t really use the term, or use it in a different way to the way another consultant might.

LADA is basically Type 1 that develops more slowly and later in life. It’s good you’re on insulin as some people have that delayed for ages. Early introduction of insulin is thought to help the remaining beta cells last longer.

Some questions: how long have you been on insulin? Is it a nurse at your GP’s treating you? Are you counting the carbs in your meals and adjusting your dose of Trurapi?

If your blood sugar is too high, it means you need more insulin, but if you’ve only started insulin recently, your dose will be gradually increased.

 

[Pete1234]

Thank you for your reply. I have only been on insulin since before Xmas 2024.

Originally I was treated with Humulin, gliclazide, metformin, dapagliflozin and mounjaro. This was working quite well until I had a very unpleasant ketoacidiosis episode, and ended up in the ICU in hospital (over a week ago). I have been discharged from hospital and I am now on the Humulin/Trurapi regime.

My current medicine regime was first prescribed by the endocrine consultant in the hospital. I have since requested adjustments by a diabetic nurse over the phone. My GP surgery has a diabetic nurse but I have not been in contact with them. Just as I was writing this, a diabetic nurse has called back and made some further increased adjustments to dosage. So I'll see how that goes.

I have not yet been on a carbohydrate counting course, although that is being scheduled.

Thank you for your reply. 🙂

 

[Inka]

So it makes sense your blood sugar is a bit high. They always err on the side of caution and don’t want you having hypos. The insulin will gradually be increased, bringing your blood sugar down gradually and carefully. Do keep an eye out for ketones though and make sure you’re given a means of testing for them.

Carb counting isn’t hard 🙂 It’s pretty basic. You could start looking at your meals to get a rough idea now - just as counting practice.Carbs will be on the boxes and packets. If you use Google, make sure you use a U.K. site as the US faffs around with fibre so their information isn’t like ours. The supermarket websites are also an excellent source of carb info @Pete1234

It might all seem overwhelming and stressful now, but you’re on the right treatment, which is great, and you’ll gradually get the hang of things.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Pete1234 from another late starter with T1 (also known as LADA)

I am glad that you have found us. There is a load of experience to tap into on here, and no questions are considered silly. Just ask.

Work with your team, as they will want to bring your levels back in range slowly. They will help you gradually adjust your doses to suit your needs, whilst being cautious at the start.

As @Inka has said it is well worth starting to get to grips with the amounts of carbs in the foods you are eating. I am amazed at how much info is now in my head about this now, having known absolutely nothing at diagnosis. The packets of raw ingredients have loads of info, as does an app called Carbs and Cals. Once you get your head round things you will not need to change from a normal healthy dket, as it will be a case of matching the insulin you need for each meal to what you choose to eat.

A lot to take in at the start, but it definitely gets easier.

 

[mashedupmatt]

Hi @Pete1234 and welcome to the forum - most has already been said by @Inka & @SB2015 - I too was a late starter but was only ever considered as Type 1 and treated accordingly - you do need to decrease your levels and increase insulin gradually though so a reserved approach is the right thing to do initially. Good that you have been earmarked for a carb counting course as this is key to getting the insulin dosage right - whilst you are waiting you could look at the BERTIE online course (I've just re-done it myself as a refresher) - It is free to do and is all online - you can complete it at your own pace - go to this website and you will get a head start into carb counting before you go on to more structured diabetes education:

Bertie Diabetes

Good luck with your journey. and glad you have found us 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

If you use Google, make sure you use a U.K. site as the US faffs around with fibre so their information isn’t like ours.

LOL! Thanks for that eloquent and pithy description @Inka - gave me a chuckle this morning.

Welcome to the forum @Pete1234

Great to hear that you are on a flexible Multiple Daily Injections / basal:bolus system. It won’t be long before you are finding a better balance between your insulin needs, and the carbs in your meals. Then you’ve a lifetime of continuing to tweak and fine tune things as your irascible diabetes keeps changing its mind 🙂

 

[Pete1234]

Thank you everyone for your informative replies and reassurances. This has been something of a scary new world for me, especially after my ketoacidiosis episode.

I will follow up on the advice you have so kindly given.

Thank you!

 

[HayleyR]

Hi @Pete1234, a very warm welcome form me too 🙂. It does take a while to take everything on board but honestly it does get easier. We're here to support you/each other so please ask as many questions as you want .....