newly diagnosed - type 3c?

[angelaofthenorth]

starting on Metaformin in the morning.....

 

[Proud to be erratic]

starting on Metaformin in the morning.....

It's progress, of a sort.

Metformin helps your body manage whatever insulin you are already producing by lowering to some extent one's natural insulin resistance. I understand (my detailed knowledge of T2 is thin) it takes a while to build up in your body, so you might not see an immediate improvement. It should not put someone at risk of starting to go hypo; a normal pancreas plays a big part in balancing glucose and insulin by a different pancreatic hormone called amylase. If your panc'y is not producing amylase, there is a chance that the lowering of insulin resistance could take you into or close to hypo territory. But I imagine that your metformin start dose is small and it will take time for this to occur; this is not a medical opinion, just my layman's thought. [A normal panc'y uses the hormones of insulin, glucagon and amylase as well as producing digestive enzymes; together these allow metabolism to occur and stay in balance. I didn't know until recently that a non D is able to store surplus insulin in some form of crystal, thanks to panc'y management].

So taking metformin might reveal by 'outcome' of favourable result, that your panc'y is not unduly damaged from your earlier pancreatitis. Or it might lead to a conclusion that it's doing nothing, because your insulin production is impaired.

When you see a GP on 10 Nov a further question would be what, exactly, was tested to confirm you are not T1 and what were the actual results? Take a notebook if there is any chance the response will potentially be "gobbledygook". Ideally ask for a print out. Or, perhaps you can see the result on your app that allows you to request repeat meds?

 

[angelaofthenorth]

Thanks Roland, I will definitely take notebook, and I am still going to ask about the Type 3mstuff, and endocrynology and i've just handed in a stool sample (very grim business) the results of which will be
discussed on the 10th as well

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks Roland, I will definitely take notebook, and I am still going to ask about the Type 3mstuff, and endocrynology and i've just handed in a stool sample (very grim business) the results of which will be
discussed on the 10th as well

This page on the main Diabetes UK website gives an overview of Type 3c, which can result if the pancreas is damaged by pancreatitis

What is type 3c diabetes?

You may have heard of the more common types of diabetes like type 1, type 2 and gestational. But there are actually many other types of diabetes that aren't as well known. Type 3c diabetes develops because of the damage to the pancreas, which can happen for a few different reasons. And although...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[angelaofthenorth]

This page on the main Diabetes UK website gives an overview of Type 3c, which can result if the pancreas is damaged by pancreatitis

What is type 3c diabetes?

You may have heard of the more common types of diabetes like type 1, type 2 and gestational. But there are actually many other types of diabetes that aren't as well known. Type 3c diabetes develops because of the damage to the pancreas, which can happen for a few different reasons. And although...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Many thanks for this, I will definitely refer to this when i see the doctor on the 10th

 

[angelaofthenorth]

The negative just confirms that you don't have the autoimmune conditions that would make you T1. Your original diagnosis is T2, but the question in my mind would be: do you have the normal T2 characteristics, ie producing insulin but with an unduly high natural resistance to your own insulin; or is your insulin production impaired because of previous pancreatitis?

Could it be that you are not a straightforward T2? Could you be referred to an Endocrinologist for further tests?

wow @Proud to be erratic. Ive seen a specialist GP today who has said that I definitely am type 3c and need to start on insulin as soon as possible. He has referred me to the specialist team at the hospital and for urgent scan with endocronologist. you couldnt have been any more accurate!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

wow @Proud to be erratic. Ive seen a specialist GP today who has said that I definitely am type 3c and need to start on insulin as soon as possible. He has referred me to the specialist team at the hospital and for urgent scan with endocronologist. you couldnt have been any more accurate!

Glad you’ve got some clear answers at last @angelaofthenorth

The hive mind of the forum can be a pretty powerful thing!

 

[Proud to be erratic]

wow @Proud to be erratic. Ive seen a specialist GP today who has said that I definitely am type 3c and need to start on insulin as soon as possible. He has referred me to the specialist team at the hospital and for urgent scan with endocronologist. you couldnt have been any more accurate!

Well I also am truly delighted for you that you have got answers that make some sense. What insulin are you starting with? Do keep posting and updating as your referrals and scans happen. Good luck with your next steps.

 

[angelaofthenorth]

I have been started on Levermir 12 units in the morning, and Trurapi 4 units with meals. Worried about how much weight I will put on. Diabetic nurse reckons i will put back on all the weight ive lost over past 12 months which is 2 stone. Yikes

 

[angelaofthenorth]

Does anyone know how long it takes for insulin to start taking effect? I know everyone is different but is a week or a month more typical? BG was 25 this morning before taking Levermir

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I know everyone is different but is a week or a month more typical?

Days. Levemir starts acting within a few hours after injection (and a dose doesn't typically last much more than 16 hours). I've not used Trurapi but it looks like it's much faster acting (as you'd expect for something before meals), so usually within half an hour.

How long it takes to find doses that are suitable for managing your BG is another question.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Days.

Should have said within a day.

 

[angelaofthenorth]

Should have said within a day.

Thanks Paul, so it doesnt really have a cumulative effect then? so if I miss a dose or a day my levels would be back to square one?

 

[Drummer]

I have been started on Levermir 12 units in the morning, and Trurapi 4 units with meals. Worried about how much weight I will put on. Diabetic nurse reckons i will put back on all the weight ive lost over past 12 months which is 2 stone. Yikes

Those nurses, they really know how to worry people.
If you had become under weight before due to a lack of insulin then you might put on weight, but if you eat according to what you need, then you should simply recover from the lack of a functioning pancreas once you get the right medication.
As a type 2 I eat a really dangerous diet high in protein and fat (only joking) and I feel great and don't put on weight. I was able to work out what to eat using a test meter and checking after meals.
You'll have to find a balance using your own experience - but it can't be beyond the wit of man to work it out, I'd have thought. I'd advise getting advice here though, or at least from people who are actually living with diabetes.....

 

[angelaofthenorth]

sorry I dont know where Paul came from?! - Bruce....

 

[angelaofthenorth]

Those nurses, they really know how to worry people.
If you had become under weight before due to a lack of insulin then you might put on weight, but if you eat according to what you need, then you should simply recover from the lack of a functioning pancreas once you get the right medication.
As a type 2 I eat a really dangerous diet high in protein and fat (only joking) and I feel great and don't put on weight. I was able to work out what to eat using a test meter and checking after meals.
You'll have to find a balance using your own experience - but it can't be beyond the wit of man to work it out, I'd have thought. I'd advise getting advice here though, or at least from people who are actually living with diabetes.....

Thanks for that! I didn't become underweight with the weight loss - i'm still 2.5 stone overweight! (that's even after I lost the 2 stone over last year)

 

[Lucyr]

Thanks Paul, so it doesnt really have a cumulative effect then? so if I miss a dose or a day my levels would be back to square one?

When I miss a dose of insulin my bg will be high 20s or low 30s within hours.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Thanks Paul, so it doesnt really have a cumulative effect then? so if I miss a dose or a day my levels would be back to square one?

No, there's not really a cumulative effect. Insulin works while it's active, allowing cells to use glucose, and you've got two kinds of insulin: Levemir which'll usually keep active for 16-20 hours, I think (but less than a day) and Trurapi which looks like it'll be active for 4-5 hours. (And Levemir is designed to try and have fairly constant effect across that time whereas Trurapi (like other quick acting insulins) has more of a spike because it's intended for handling meals.)

Those of us who don't produce any insulin ourselves certainly notice when we miss a dose.

 

[angelaofthenorth]

is it normal to feel really tired after eating?

 

[Lucyr]

is it normal to feel really tired after eating?

As you’ve only recently started insulin and are still adjusting your doses and timings, it probably means your bgs are going too high after eating. It’s normal to take some time to understand the right doses for you.