Type 1 symptoms and origins

[Northerner]

I have a question of my own. If a person is diagnosed for the first time at 16, would they have been T1 from birth or is it something that suddenly comes on (like it does with T2) and what sort of symptoms would have prompted diagnosis at 16

Lairy x

Well, obviously I can't speak for Scouser and how she was diagnosed, but Type 1 normally manifests itself very quickly, often within days, and can have very severe symptoms. Type 1 usually have a genetic predisposition that is triggered by some unknown event or environmental factor. It seems that the older you are when diagnosed the longer it may take for symptoms to become acute. A Type 2, on the other hand, may remain undiagnosed for ten years or more as their body's ability to control blood sugar levels gradually declines - often the symptoms are explained away by other things, often just 'getting older'.

Symptoms are similar - peeing a lot, extreme thirst and hunger, inexplicable weight-loss (sometimes also in Type 2). I forget the figure, but a high proportion of Type 1s are diagnosed when they are rushed to hospital with DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis), which is potentially life-threatening.

 

[KateXXXXXX]

Our experiences were pretty classic. Mutley was 42, and his symptoms came on over a few weeks, masked by a viral infection (probably the retro-virus triggered the onset). He has advanced DKA when finally admitted. We may have lost him within the week if he hadn't gone in. As it was, he was back at work the following week after 4 days in hospital. Luckily he seems to have suffered no long-term effects.

The GMNT's symptoms may have started slowly, but really manifested in about a week, getting very much more severe (with the development of DKA) over the weekend.

 

[Caroline]

Although there are the classic symptoms, we are all different, so they manifest in different ways at different times so it is always worth pestering the doctor or talking to NHS direct, or even going to A&E if you feel realy poorly.

 

[novorapidboi26]

I potentially could have been much worse at time of diagnosis. but my parents knew the symptoms from my brother when he was 2, i was 15, so thanks mum and dad.......🙂

My symptoms were constant toilet visits and an unquenchable thirst, I mean, I literally would of killed for a drink, and was regularly in the toilet with my mouth at the tap..........weight loss was present, but that was not something I noticed actually, being an active young lad.......

 

[AlisonM]

As far as I can recall my symptoms came on relatively quickly over a period of weeks, which was one of several reasons I didn't think I could be T2 because that (I'm told) builds up over many years. I was tired all the time and very thirsty but not peeing more than usual at first. I seem to remember drinking a 2 litre carton of milk every day those last few weeks, plus tea and fruit juice, it was all going in but not coming out, at least till the last few days when I sprang a major leak.

Being carted off to hospital at St George's was a nightmare, they left me stuck in a room for hours and no-one came near me, then they chuck me out to get the bus home telling me to see my doctor as soon as I could. No-one even mentioned diabetes there, although the ambulance man told me I was extremely high and the doctor later told me the BG meter had read 28.4.

The level of care at St George's was appalling and I'm fortunate to have survived the experience. Mind you, they are notorious, if I'd had a choice, I'd have asked to go to King's instead.

In the end, I was 'lucky' to have got the tests done after only six months of nagging and was confirmed T1.5 then. Things have been even more exciting since then.

 

[FM001]

Strangely enough I always thought that the onset of type 1 came on quickly and was a matter of weeks or a few months before intervention is required, but I was reading article on the net last year that suggested otherwise and in some cases it can be many months or even 1-4 years, don't ask me where I read this but I did.