Newly diagnosed

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NJB

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Was diagnosed four weeks ago and put straight onto insulin and metformin. It’s all been a big shock and is taking some time to get used to. Had the GAD antibody test but no results yet so don’t know if type 1 or 2. Glad there is this forum to connect with others.
 
Welcome @NJB 🙂 It’s good they’re checking your diabetes type. The tests do take a while to come back.

What insulins are you taking?
 
I suspect this is just a holding position until you get a proper diagnosis and then you should have a better regime and possibly access to appropriate technology.
What was your HbA1C that prompted prescribing insulin straight away rather than trying oral meds first.
I hope you have the equipment for finger prick testing and are keeping hypo treatments to hand just in case.
Have you been given any dietary advice whilst you wait for your test results.
Lantus is a basal insulin which may not deal with your meals, so are you testing your levels before and after meals.
 
HbA1C was 120. Had ketones in urine so was sent to A and E. I was extremely thirsty and tired and was losing weight for about two months before I saw GP. Specialist diabetes nurse at the hospital kitted me out with finger prick machine and prescription for insulin and tablets. Local specialist diabetes nurse has been in touch regularly and I have been seen again by nurse at GP surgery so being really well looked after. I have been given dietary info but am not very overweight. So far just testing before meals.
 
The unexpected weight loss and ketones are Type 1 symptoms, as you probably know @NJB Lantus is a background/basal insulin which is supposed to keep blood sugar steady in the absence of food. How are your blood sugars now?
 
Coming down and mainly around 5 - 7 now that I am taking full dose of metformin. Have had a couple of 3.5s before lunch so am eating a snack mid morning Which is helping.
 
If you are Type 1, they should add a bolus insulin to deal with your meals and reduce your Lantus. You’ll find that easier and more flexible.
 
NJB said:
HbA1C was 120. Had ketones in urine so was sent to A and E. I was extremely thirsty and tired and was losing weight for about two months before I saw GP. Specialist diabetes nurse at the hospital kitted me out with finger prick machine and prescription for insulin and tablets. Local specialist diabetes nurse has been in touch regularly and I have been seen again by nurse at GP surgery so being really well looked after. I have been given dietary info but am not very overweight. So far just testing before meals.
Click to expand...

It does sound like you have a lot of the flags for T1 in the way your diabetes arrived. The 4Ts of type 1 are Toilet, Tired, Thirsty, and Thinner.

I posted this for another newcomer recently, which comes from the NICE Guideline for identifying T1 by clinical presentation:

Type 1 can develop at any age, and we have many forum members who were initially considered T2, purely because of age, when actually age has little to do with it.

Hope the results of your antibody checks bring you some clarity.
 
From what you have said it sounds like you are likely to be T1, but the GAD antibody test will tell.

With later onset T1 (LADA) if it is picked up early there will be some beta cells left which are making a bit of insulin. This makes the dosing of insulin a bit variable at the start. Some just manage with basal insulin (background insulin which deals with the glucose our bodies dribble out to keep us going) others manage with just bolus (quick acting insulin that deal with the glucose from the carbohydrates that we eat).

Glad that have found the forum, a good place for any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly. Just ask.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
It does sound like you have a lot of the flags for T1 in the way your diabetes arrived. The 4Ts of type 1 are Toilet, Tired, Thirsty, and Thinner.

I posted this for another newcomer recently, which comes from the NICE Guideline for identifying T1 by clinical presentation:

Type 1 can develop at any age, and we have many forum members who were initially considered T2, purely because of age, when actually age has little to do with it.

Hope the results of your antibody checks bring you some clarity.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the link. I will have to wait and see but good to get prepared in case it is T1.
 
SB2015 said:
From what you have said it sounds like you are likely to be T1, but the GAD antibody test will tell.

With later onset T1 (LADA) if it is picked up early there will be some beta cells left which are making a bit of insulin. This makes the dosing of insulin a bit variable at the start. Some just manage with basal insulin (background insulin which deals with the glucose our bodies dribble out to keep us going) others manage with just bolus (quick acting insulin that deal with the glucose from the carbohydrates that we eat).

Glad that have found the forum, a good place for any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly. Just ask.
Click to expand...
Thank you - it is still sinking in and I expect I will have lots of questions when I know which type it is.
 
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