The start of a hopefully long journey

[Bradford84]

Hi all

I have been browsing the website over the last few days and found it really helpful and expect to be on here a fair amount moving forward.

I have recently been diagnosed with Diabetes, although the type isnt yet established.

I am 6ft 2 and 37 years old- quiet heavy built.The background is that I have usually been quiet active (rugby), but for 3/4 year period this dropped. Since Jan 2021 I started doing HIIT sessions and a really healthy diet, which I kept up for the majority of the year- losing around 10kg to 106kg. Over Xmas I wasn't as strict with either diet or exercise but didn't seem to put on as much as expected.

I started developing some symptoms around this time but didn't recognize the thirst as a problem. I went to the doctors when I lost 4kg in 3 weeks with only 1 or 2 HIIT or kickboxing sessions per week and little dieting.

The readings I have had were 114 and having started using a glucose machine 17.2- both which I believe are very high. After some changes to meds due to Keytones of around 0.2-0.5 I have just finished my first week where I have been using Glimipride which has risen from 2mg to the max of 4.

My bloods until today have fluctuated between 14.7 as rare low, av around 16 and maxed at 19.8. I have been strict with my foods throughout so these have been a little disappointing being honest. Keytones seemed to have settled around 0.2 having been higher so that seems reasonably positive.

Went to the Nurse a little downbeat, and they have put me on Metformin and I saw the lowest reading of 13.7 after so hoping its going in the correct direction.

I am going through all the tests atm (ECG, CAT) and had bloods taken today for GAD???, just want to get to the bottom of it so I can plan accordingly and hopefully lose some of the symptoms which are wearing me down a little.

Sorry for the long post but quiet therapeutic, and hopefully I can post more positive updates as things improve.

Thanks all

 

[trophywench]

Well if we're taking bets, I reckon you're really Type 1 !

 

[Jago]

Welcome to the forum - everyone’s very friendly and it’s a good place to come for answers.

My understanding is that a GAD test tests for antibodies often present in cases of Type 1 Diabetes - and as such it is used as a way to determine if an individual might have T1D- I had one and the results seemed to confirm my diagnosis of T1D.

Hopefully your diabetic team will be able to give you some more certainty as to which type of diabetic you are - I found th confirmation of my diagnosis a relief…knowing one way or the other helped settle things on my mind….and helped focus my reading!

Anyway - do keep us updated and best of luck on your journey… And if we were taking bets … I wouldn’t be betting against @trophywench

 

[SB2015]

I am with @trophywench on this one.
It sounds like T1 and that is what the GAD antibody test is used for.

Let us know how you get on and then fire away with any questions you have. I know once I got my diagnosis, and started to inject I felt heals better physically. It took a bit of time to get sorted with all the testing And stuff but it does get easier and becomes a new normal.

 

[Bradford84]

Thank you all- a few people have said T1 but diabetic nurse said could be T2- either way hopefully they find out soon enough.

They have mentioned and tested for something called late onset diabetes although I am unsure on what exactly the difference is with that and T1- if anybody knows it would be great.

In more optimistic news, my readings have stayed at 13.7 today so I am hoping the Metformin pushes it down again tomorrow. Did others notice it took a little time to drop when trying the meds, or should it be reacting quicker?

Thanks again- just feel better typing about it!

 

[Leadinglights]

I think what she is referring to is LADA or Type 1.5 and there are a few people on here with that diagnosis and from what I gather it is treated much like Type 1 if that is a confirmed diagnosis.
I think it takes a while for the effect of metformin as it builds up in your system over a few days but changes in diet will be something that will be making a difference as quickly.

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults is called LADA for short. It's a different form of diabetes. What is LADA? It's a type of diabetes which seems to straddle type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Bits of it are more like type 1, and other bits are more like type 2. That's why some people call it type...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Bradford84]

I'd been taking Metformin and eating low carb for 3 weeks after diagnosis before my numbers dropped into single figures.

That’s positive to hear- I am sticking to a strict diet so hopefully the 2 can push it down!

 

[trophywench]

The metformin can't physically lower the blood glucose but what it can do is assist your body to utilise the insulin you are making yourself, properly. Of course if you aren't producing enough insulin to sustain you, it can't help. Anyway - the antibody test results should (hopefully) sort that puzzle out!) that out for everyone!

 

[Proud to be erratic]

Hi all

I have been browsing the website over the last few days and found it really helpful and expect to be on here a fair amount moving forward.

I have recently been diagnosed with Diabetes, although the type isnt yet established.

I am 6ft 2 and 37 years old- quiet heavy built.The background is that I have usually been quiet active (rugby), but for 3/4 year period this dropped. Since Jan 2021 I started doing HIIT sessions and a really healthy diet, which I kept up for the majority of the year- losing around 10kg to 106kg. Over Xmas I wasn't as strict with either diet or exercise but didn't seem to put on as much as expected.

I started developing some symptoms around this time but didn't recognize the thirst as a problem. I went to the doctors when I lost 4kg in 3 weeks with only 1 or 2 HIIT or kickboxing sessions per week and little dieting.

The readings I have had were 114 and having started using a glucose machine 17.2- both which I believe are very high. After some changes to meds due to Keytones of around 0.2-0.5 I have just finished my first week where I have been using Glimipride which has risen from 2mg to the max of 4.

My bloods until today have fluctuated between 14.7 as rare low, av around 16 and maxed at 19.8. I have been strict with my foods throughout so these have been a little disappointing being honest. Keytones seemed to have settled around 0.2 having been higher so that seems reasonably positive.

Went to the Nurse a little downbeat, and they have put me on Metformin and I saw the lowest reading of 13.7 after so hoping its going in the correct direction.

I am going through all the tests atm (ECG, CAT) and had bloods taken today for GAD???, just want to get to the bottom of it so I can plan accordingly and hopefully lose some of the symptoms which are wearing me down a little.

Sorry for the long post but quiet therapeutic,

Hello @Bradford84 and welcome.
Don't worry about the long post - the therapy from sharing is a recognised part of helping members: asking questions, having a rant or similar and just finding others who have read your post and responded is in itself helpful. I hope you get useful answers quickly, so that you can plan accordingly. Good luck.

and hopefully I can post more positive updates as things improve.

Thanks all

 

[Bradford84]

Had a day of massive frustration yesterday where my results were 15+ still and then, out of the blue this morning a 10.9 reading which was brilliant to see. They have returned pre lunch to 13.5 but still feels like major progress- hopefully they keep reducing now!

CAT scan is also booked so I feel like i will know a little more quiet soon.

 

[Bradford84]

Treating this as a mini diary atm, but had a good few days!!

Levels weren't dropping then went from 12.6 to 7.2! Most readings since have been under 10 which feels like great progress less than 1 week after starting metformin. Would others agree this indicates type 2 if the meds are working?

Been strict on the diet although I had a glass of rose after having nothing since diagnosis. Have an ecg and cat scan in the next 10 days but feel much more positive and feeling better as I’m actually sleeping!

 

[trophywench]

Not definitively. LADA can not only behave like T2 but cn also respond well to T2 treatments for weeks, months or even years - until it says Haha! you've been well fooled, haven't you! ROFLMAO. From now on, I'm only going to respond to injected insulin, just as if you'd been diagnosed T1 all along.

 

[Bradford84]

Not definitively. LADA can not only behave like T2 but cn also respond well to T2 treatments for weeks, months or even years - until it says Haha! you've been well fooled, haven't you! ROFLMAO. From now on, I'm only going to respond to injected insulin, just as if you'd been diagnosed T1 all along.

Thanks Trophy.

Weirdly my ketones have just hit 0.6- I was initially told to go to A&E if this happened but think that was with high glucose too and it’s only 8.5 so I’m awaiting the doctors to call- maybe celebrated a little early

 

[Inka]

Thanks Trophy.

Weirdly my ketones have just hit 0.6- I was initially told to go to A&E if this happened but think that was with high glucose too and it’s only 8.5 so I’m awaiting the doctors to call- maybe celebrated a little early

Watch things carefully @Bradford84 If you are Type 1, then things can change quickly. If in any doubt, seek medical input and mention that you might be Type 1.

I see you’re waiting for a call from the doctor. Do phone them if they don’t call you. My guess is Type 1 too. More people are diagnosed with Type 1 as adults than children and diagnosis in your 30s wouldn’t really be ‘late’ at all.

 

[Bradford84]

Watch things carefully @Bradford84 If you are Type 1, then things can change quickly. If in any doubt, seek medical input and mention that you might be Type 1.

I see you’re waiting for a call from the doctor. Do phone them if they don’t call you.

Thank you- I certainly dont want to take any chances. I am at the doctors this morning for an ECG and am also awaiting a call back so hopefully should get some direction pretty soon. I know I had to go in at 0.6 but think that was when the glucose was at 15/16- going to retake bloods in an hour if I dont hear back and any worse I will go in as a precaution

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hope you get some clarity on your diabetes type soon @Bradford84

GAD results can take a while to come back as there’s aren’t all that many labs that offer the tests I think. Do you know if they were also measuring for cPeptide at the same time? This can give an idea of how much home-grown insulin you are still producing, which might be an indication of whether you have been losing beta cells in your pancreas.

Hope the CT scan comes out clear if it’s looking for any nasties on your pancreas.

Let us know how things go 🙂

 

[Proud to be erratic]

Treating this as a mini diary atm, but had a good few days!!

Mini diary is, in my opinion, a fine thing just now as events and diagnosis unfold. You keep a simple record and those with an eye on this thread can throw in their experienced observations.

How did you get on at your Doctor's on Tuesday and how are your ketones now? Have they settled?

 

[PattiEvans]

Mini diary is, in my opinion, a fine thing just now as events and diagnosis unfold. You keep a simple record and those with an eye on this thread can throw in their experienced observations.

It's also a very good record to look back on when you are further down the line. I still have my little blood splattered paper diaries from when I was first diagnosed.

Good luck finding out your type (I concur with the others who say T1). I found it came as a huge relief and allowed me to move on with control.

 

[Bradford84]

Sorry I didn’t reply- had some whirlwind days. Things settled down with my keytones and a few false alarms. My readings were getting better although I still wasn’t feeling great, ecg and Cat scan were clear and started to lower Glimepiride and taking empadliflozin.

Had and pretty bad hypo just 90
Mins after eating which was weird but thought nothing of it. Have now been told tonight to stop with new med as my GAD results are positive (taken 1 month). Speaking with the specialist tomorrow so just trying to not be too frustrated or annoyed!!

 

[Proud to be erratic]

Hope your conversation goes well today. I assume its a phone call, rather than f2f.