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Newly diagnosed

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andrewjb

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
HI All

Been a bit of journey, but last year, a slightly elevated HbA1c result (picked up in a random blood test) i had to test twice a day for BS. My average was between 7-10, but after an infection at xmas, my reading went up to 13 a few times, and now back down to 10 ish

But with latest HbA1c, i've to begin once daily inslulin in the next few weeks.

43, decent BMI, and no symptoms, with indications it is 1/1,5, but time will tell

A whole new world to learn

Cheers
Andy
 
Hi and welcome. A rise in blood glucose seems to be quite common after an infection. Mine spiked quite spectacularly and it's still work in progress reducing it.
Can you give us a bit more information about yourself - for example how you came to be diagnosed Type 1, what your actual HbA1c was, what medications you are on. This will help forum members tailor their advice to you.
The Learning Zone (orange tab above) is a good place to start. You can go at your own pace and absorb the information. I gather you have a testing kit, but you might also like to get an app to monitor your intake and results. There are several on the market, and another Type 1 might best advise you of the most suitable.
 
Ok, so
- diagnosed by local diabetes centre in hospital
- last HbA1c is 62
- On no medication at all yet. Due to start in a week or so 1 insulin injection/day
- Been using the Glucomen Area tester (using health app on iphone to log)
- Due to start libre with beginning of insulin treatment

Hope this helps
 
Welcome @andrewjb,
I'll let other T1s help you find your way with your new status. But you are in a good place on this forum. Diabetes is described by Gary Scheiner in his book "Think Like a Pancreas" as Confusing, Complicated and Contradictory. All of which I found so true when I first encountered this new world. Also at times pretty frightening.

BUT, it is manageable and I suggest there is loads of helpful info here; whereas a lot from a Google search can become incredibly confusing and frankly over-bearing. For now, because there is a fairly different approach for managing Type 1 from Type 2, consider only picking up advice or information from T1s; this forum helps reveal T1s from T2s. You might, initially, find that more helpful to you. I'm T3c, as if T1 - but that's for another day! Good luck.
 
Hiya. Tell us more - how and when will they be able to say whether it's Type 1, or 1.5 - are they awaiting some blood test results or what? Who's starting you on the insulin - GP or hospital diabetes clinic?
 
Hi, so it's the diabetes clinic. I presume time and data might show what varient it is. But i presume the meds would be the same for now.
 
Welcome to the forum @andrewjb

You are correct that the treatment for T1 and T1.5 will be the same. It may be that you still have some beta cells which are producing some insulin, and the injections that you are about to start on will help to protect those that you have left.

Can you tell us what insulin you will be using. Is it a mixed insulin of quick acting and long acting or is it just a long acting insulin? The mixed insulins cause some limitations with you needing to eat a fixed amount of carbs at specific times to match the content of the injection. A more flexible approach is now that you are started on separate injections of:
  • background insulin (basal) which keeps you ticking over and deals with the glucose your body releases even when you don’t eat.
  • quick acting insulin (bolus) which you would inject before you eat a meal and you learn to adjust the dose to match the number of carbs that you choose to eat at any meal.
This is known as the basal/bolus regime. It is what is now recommended for all those diagnosed with T 1 or T1.5. the increased number of injections is well worth doing for the flexibility that it affords us.

As @Proud to be erratic has said it is worth using the forum for support as there is a wealth of experience to draw on and you can focus on those with T1, who with the basal/bolus regime can eat whatever they choose without the requirement to reduce their carb intake.

It is a lot to learn at the start, and it will be helpful once you have confirmation of the diagnosis. Whatever questions arise, just ask. Nothing is considered silly on here.
 
Ok, so
- diagnosed by local diabetes centre in hospital
- last HbA1c is 62
- On no medication at all yet. Due to start in a week or so 1 insulin injection/day
- Been using the Glucomen Area tester (using health app on iphone to log)
- Due to start libre with beginning of insulin treatment

Hope this helps

Welcome to the forum @andrewjb

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - which does sound slightly unusual!

Are they also considering other niche types of diabetes such as MODY, which can be checked for with specific genes?

Hope you get some clarity soon, and the insulin start goes smoothly.
 
HI All
Thanks for the messages. Some other bits of info
1) I've cheked both sides of the family and not one person had diabetes. However there are signs of auto immuine issues
2) I now have a prescription set up for the libre 2
3) Next week i have an appointment to setup the sensor and i believe they will start me off with a low level of 1 once daily insulin
I'll guess i'll know more next week!

One thing i'll need to get an expert on soon is trablling. Meant to be travelling by plane in 2 weeks, so the whole 'sensor through scanners' and travelling with insulin will be fun to learn...
 
the whole 'sensor through scanners' and travelling with insulin will be fun to learn...
You just walk through, they see sensors and insulin every day
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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