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Worried...Type 2

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TashaPink

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
At risk of diabetes
Hello All...

I have blood tests tomorrow to test for type 2. I have a lot of symptoms: Itchy feet, Hairless, No Periods, sweaty, cold hands, Recurrent thrush and UTI Infections. I am worried sick.

Could this be something else or should I accept this may be diabetes?

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post, just wanted some advice.

Thank you all.
 
Hi and welcome.

Firstly don't panic. Even if it is diabetes, it is a condition which can be well managed and can actually lead to a fitter and healthier lifestyle. Since diagnosis nearly 2 years ago, I have dropped 2 stone and feel fitter and healthier than I have for 30 years and at 57, I am more than happy with that. The diagnosis was the kick up the pants I needed to improve my diet and lifestyle, so whilst it has been a steep learning curve and a lot of frustration, there have been benefits too.

Some of the symptoms you mention can certainly be caused by diabetes, but others don't sound typical so there may be something else going on, possibly as well as diabetes. I think Thyroid issues can lead to hair loss etc. UTIs, thrush and itchy feet are certainly common with uncontrolled diabetes. Have you lost or gained any weight recently?

If it is diabetes, what many people do not realise is that it is not just about sugar but all carbohydrates, starchy ones as well as sweet stuff, so cutting back on bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and breakfast cereals as well as the sweet stuff including fruit is hugely helpful in bringing levels down. That may make it sound like there isn't much left to eat because that was how I felt a couple of years ago, but now that I have got my head around following a low carb way of eating, I really enjoy my food and wouldn't go back to eating those things anymore even though I used to love bread and potatoes and I was a self confessed sugar addict pre diagnosis.... just don't crave that stuff anymore. And I am not the only person to find this. Many other members here will say the same. Don't feel bloated anymore, got my flat stomach and the figure I had in my 20s back and I enjoy my food. What is not to love about that?

Hopefully if you do get a diabetes diagnosis, we will be able to help you get on top of things and find your way to a healthier, happier you too.
 
Hi Barbara; thank you so much for the response. The doctor did say their Hairloss was common with diabetes so who knows!

Yes I have lost a little over 8 stone over 2 years. I was weighing 22.5 stone now down to 14.5.

Thank you for your response it has made me feel a tad better.
 
Wow! That is a HUGE weight loss!!! Well done you! Did you find it quite difficult or was the weight loss easier than you expected? The reason I ask is that unexpected or easy weight loss can be a symptom of Type 1 diabetes, but most Health Care Professionals assume you are Type 2 if you are overweight, have a poor diet or even just the fact you are not a child or young person, as they assume (or are taught at medical school) that Type 1 only exhibits in children.
I was initially misdiagnosed as Type 2 and it took a few months of very strict diet and oral meds before they realized that I was not responding to Type 2 treatment and they tested me for Type 1, which came back positive. Type 1 diabetes often comes on more slowly with adults than with younger people and can take months or even years to be properly diagnosed and GPs usually have little knowledge of this. It is sometimes referred to as LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults)... Just something to bear in mind if you are diagnosed and the treatment and dietary changes don't have a significant impact on your levels.
 
Hi @TashaPink and welcome to the forum. No need to panic!

The test for T2 diabetes is a straightforward blood test. Something called your HbA1c is measured from a blood sample taken from your arm and sent to the lab. If the system in your area is as good as ours you will get the result the day after the test was done.

Your HbA1c will be somewhere between 30 and 150+. Anything over 48 gets you a diabetes diagnosis and if that happens it is sensible to ask for the result since it tells you how far into diabetes territory you are. As @rebrascora says, if you do get a diabetes diagnosis as a reason for your symptoms then all is not lost. Many forum members have bought things under control by one means or another and we will help you find a way forward to suit you. Let us know what happens.
 
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Hi Rebecca,

Thank you for your response. I was diagnosed with a mental health issue around 15 years ago so I was on a high dose of Seroquel (750mg) which I took for over 7 years. I managed to get myself better and decided it was time to wean myself off, so I managed to do this after 3 years of altering the dosage and some horrific withdrawal symptoms.

I honestly can't say I've found losing the weight hard as I don't actually feel like I've done anything major to contribute to the weight loss. Although my appetite has shrunk dramatically.

I have googled everything possible since speaking to my Dr which I know is not recommended as now I have scared myself s*itless.
 
Docb said:
Hi @TashaPink and welcome to the forum. No need to panic!

The test for T2 diabetes is a straightforward blood test. Something called your HbA1c is measured from a blood sample taken from your arm and sent to the lab. If the system in your area is as good as yours you will get the result the day after the test was done.

Your HbA1c will be somewhere between 30 and 150+. Anything over 48 gets you a diabetes diagnosis and if that happens it is sensible to ask for the result since it tells you how far into diabetes territory you are. As @rebrascora says, if you do get a diabetes diagnosis as a reason for your symptoms then all is not lost. Many forum members have bought things under control by one means or another and we will help you find a way forward to suit you. Let us know what happens.
Click to expand...
Hi Doc, I will do. Thank you so much. Any recommendations for itchy feet?
 
TashaPink said:
Hello All...

I have blood tests tomorrow to test for type 2. I have a lot of symptoms: Itchy feet, Hairless, No Periods, sweaty, cold hands, Recurrent thrush and UTI Infections. I am worried sick.

Could this be something else or should I accept this may be diabetes?

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post, just wanted some advice.

Thank you all.
Click to expand...
I had all these (except the feet and periods as too old lol) Mine was Diabetes (with high blood sugar of 108) and underactive thyroid which is now under control with meds and diet and exercise. So don't panic, things can improve once you know what the problem is and take action. The thrush cleared quite soon after cutting carbs which was a huge relief after months of trying everything. The hair loss for me was underactive thyroid. I am on meds for it and hope it will grow back soon but believe can take up to a year for some. I live in hope.
Good luck and dont worry many of us started where you are now. People on this site offer support and invaluable information if you do indeed find you are Diabetic.
I feel so much better than before i knew what was wrong with me and took action to improve my health.
 
Hi Looby,

Thank you for responding.

So glad you feel better now. I feel so much better having read the responses from yourself and the other members on this thread.

It's so easy to Google things and scare yourself.
 
TashaPink said:
Hi Looby,

Thank you for responding.

So glad you feel better now. I feel so much better having read the responses from yourself and the other members on this thread.

It's so easy to Google things and scare yourself.
Click to expand...

Glad the forum was able to provide some reassurance @TashaPink

Let us know how you get on with the results of your bloods, and if it does end up being diabetes rest assured that you can ask away with any questions however obvious or ‘silly’ you might feelmthey are. Just ask away!

We’ll be here to support and encourage you to live alongside your diabetes in the best way for you 🙂
 
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