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Under 40 with type 2 diabetes

C

ChannelSwimmer

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone,

I wanted to set up a thread for those who are under 40 with type 2 diabetes. I'm in my early thirties and have had type 2 diabetes for 3 years... it's been a very lonely place as I don't know anyone else around my age with it. I find that it's quite challenging to navigate diabetes and it's impact on my social life and ultimately fitting in!

So, I thought having a space on the forum might be helpful not just for me... but for others too!

If you're also in a similar position.. come say hi! 🙂
 
I was diagnosed T2 at 21, it wasn’t until I was 36-37 that I got it corrected so I have lived as a T2 for a long time.
 
I’m still unsure what age I was actually diagnosed as T2D
but Im thinking it was when I was about 25 years old

the consultant at the hospital has recently confirmed it was definitely over 30 years ago

but now I understand more about diabetes
and how it’s affected me I’m thinking I was most likely diabetic in my teens
we will never know
 
Hi both! Thank you for responding to my thread 🙂 I hear you! I've had diabetes longer than 3 years (it was lying dormant as a result of sepsis and it was only after I kept falling asleep during the day and had a cut that wouldn't heal that my GP thought I had diabetes and gave me a blood test etc!) - My dad also has it... so we're in this together!

How have you both found having diabetes under the age of 40? I've often found i'm quite lonely and that others don't always understand the impact outside of my body (friendships, relationships, employment etc!) and i'm not expecting them to but sometimes just the acknowledgment is nice!

I hope you're both doing okay too.
 
ChannelSwimmer said:
Hi everyone,

I wanted to set up a thread for those who are under 40 with type 2 diabetes. I'm in my early thirties and have had type 2 diabetes for 3 years... it's been a very lonely place as I don't know anyone else around my age with it. I find that it's quite challenging to navigate diabetes and it's impact on my social life and ultimately fitting in!

So, I thought having a space on the forum might be helpful not just for me... but for others too!

If you're also in a similar position.. come say hi
Click to expand...
 
ChannelSwimmer said:
How have you both found having diabetes under the age of 40?
Click to expand...
I haven’t had diabetes over the age of 40 yet so hard to know how to answer this really. I can’t imagine it’s that different to getting it when you’re older really? People assumed I had t1 more regularly during the 16 years I was diagnosed t2 I guess. I just let them think whatever though.
 
A few of us were also on the same UK diabetes forum that Lucy joined and she really didn't seem to follow the usual pattern(s) of folk with T2 diabetes. And were quite vociferous - personally! - in saying so, too ! 🙂
 
Hi both, please can you explain what you mean? I'm not quite sure I understood your responses and wanted to be clear before I responded! 🙂
 
ChannelSwimmer said:
Hi both, please can you explain what you mean? I'm not quite sure I understood your responses and wanted to be clear before I responded! 🙂
Click to expand...
I’m not sure what you’re asking? I think you previously asked me how having t2 under age 40 was different to having t2 over age 40. But I couldn’t answer that because I’ve never experienced being over age 40.
 
Hi, my first post on here!

I was diagnosed in back in October of this year, 3 weeks before my 21st birthday. I had no idea whatsoever, no symptoms at all, but was running with a HbA1c of 82.

Completely understand and agree with the feelings of loneliness. I know no one in the same position as me at the same/similar age.
 
Hello @mde - what tests were done or are being done, to confirm the Type 2? - cos I was 22 on diagnosis myself, but Type 1 was everyone's initial assumption due to my symptoms and, it was.
 
trophywench said:
Hello @mde - what tests were done or are being done, to confirm the Type 2? - cos I was 22 on diagnosis myself, but Type 1 was everyone's initial assumption due to my symptoms and, it was.
Click to expand...
Hi @trophywench.

Unfortunately, absolutely none. I've only had my HbA1c and extensive liver function tests done (as they were abnormal too... ?NAFLD).

When I was diagnosed the GP did try and advocate for me with the DSNs and consultants at the local diabetes centre as she was querying MODY or T1DM but they didn't want to see me... "classic type 2" were their words.

I have my 3 month review soon with the GP so I'm going to try and request an islet autoantibody and c-peptide.

It does concern me but I feel completely fine. Currently on 2g metformin extended release and my BMs are sticking in the 5-7 range.

[edit] also to add that my urine has never shown ketones, so I think they find this reassuring
 
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