type 2 becomes type 1 ??

[macast]

this might be a really silly question.... but I have to ask🙄

I noticed that quite a few type 1s on the forum were diagnosed when they were well into adulthood..... so.....

if you are diagnosed as a type 2..... but then later have to take insulin.... does that make you a type 2 who needs insulin ... or a type 1 ??

 

[Robster65]

Type 2 who takes insulin. Unless you're misdiagnosed.

Insulin is merely a treatment option. Type 1 or 2 defines how your diabetes has manifested itself. Or something. 🙂

Rob

 

[novorapidboi26]

Type 2 who takes insulin. Unless you're misdiagnosed.

Insulin is merely a treatment option. Type 1 or 2 defines how your diabetes has manifested itself. Or something. 🙂

Rob

Thats my understanding, the mechanisms that take place...........😉

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Type 1 = autoimmune
Type 2 = metabolic

You can't switch from one to the other, though many people assume that anyone on insulin has 'swapped sides'.

In fact there are far more T2s that inject insulin in the UK than T1s (even though *all* T1s do 😱 )

 

[Robster65]

And then there's T1.5 who can get misdiagnosed as T1 or T2 depending on what symptoms they're displayign on the day and then the 'special' cases who have pancreatectomies (?) and other complications which render them diabetic.

Rob

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I blame the confusion on the old (outdated) labels that were used 20 odd years ago

IDDM = Type 1
and NIDDM = Type 2 (Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) - whereas of course T2s can become dependent on insulin given sufficient Insulin Resistance and/or burnt out beta cells

 

[Northerner]

They've messed about with what to call the various types in the past. At one time they distinguished people by calling them IDDM and NIDDM (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus adn Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus). Some doctors still get mixed up with the criteria for deciding what type you are, and some people here have even been told that they can't be type 1 if they are over 40!

I wrote a poem on that very topic:

http://diabetespoetry.blogspot.com/2010/10/too-old-for-type-1.html

 

[PattiEvans]

They've messed about with what to call the various types in the past. At one time they distinguished people by calling them IDDM and NIDDM (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus adn Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus). Some doctors still get mixed up with the criteria for deciding what type you are, and some people here have even been told that they can't be type 1 if they are over 40!

I wrote a poem on that very topic:

http://diabetespoetry.blogspot.com/2010/10/too-old-for-type-1.html

Excellent poem Northener. Made me giggle!

I was severely underweight at diagnosis, having lost a stone in under a month, very dehydrated and showing ketones but got labelled T2 by the GP's nurse because of my age (57). I went onto insulin right away and haven't ever had oral meds. Subsequent tests proved I was T1 but it took a long time for me to get those tests.

 

[macast]

oh gosh!!! not clear cut then

thanks for the explanations 🙂

loved your poem Northerner.... you are so talented 😎

 

[HelenM]

Absolutely not clear cut. There are in fact 2 'official' categories of type 1 according to the World Health organisation. 1: type 1 a, (autoimmune) insulin deficient, ketosis prone due to an autoimmune attack. 2) type 1b (idiopathic) insulin deficient, ketosis prone due to we have haven't the foggiest idea!
Then there is type 2, which ranges from extemely insulin resistant with lots of insulin to insulin deficient with little insulin (thus overlaps T1b, the guidelines state that this is a big category which should be subdivided as we gain more knowledge) then there isgestational and then a very long list of other cause of diabetes subdivided into types. This includes things like MODY which is genetic, people who have had their pancreas removed or damaged, people who have too much iron (which can cause diabetes), people with cystic fibrosis, Downs, and a host of other things.
Little boxes which don't fit all of us... and lots of doctors don't even try to use all those available.