T1 Diabetes

[LeCirqueFouFurieux]

Not an AIBU (well it sort of is as I'm unsure if I should go to A and E). I've been having some tests recently and not got the results - one was for T1 diabetes, I've just googled the symptoms and I have every single one on the list (but I forgot to tell the GP this when I saw her as I was focusing on one particularly symptom).

I have an appointment tomorrow to get the results. One of the things I forgot to tell her (and I mean I really did only speak about two symptoms (weight loss and fatigue)) is that I've been fainting pretty regularly; this is the part I'm unsure of - I've fainted (full on fainting from standing) three times this morning (usually it's just once every few days).

Is there anything I can do at home or is this something I should seek 111 or A and E advice from, or is it OK to wait until tomorrow and speak to the GP?

I have no idea about diabetes at all so any help or advice would be really useful from those that have experienced it?

It would be very unusual for an adult to develop T1 diabetes. Mention the fainting when you see Dr for results.

It could be related to low blood sugar, but unusual unless you are on medication or restricted diet.

Thank you both for the reassuring posts.

Type 1 diabetes would be suspected by a 30 second Blood Sugar reading. Thirst ,increase passing urine ,weight loss and ketone breath would be obvious symptoms.
Am guessing you have had FBC to check for anaemia.

I’m an ex paediatric diabetic nurse you can develop T1 at any age although the commonest age are the teens.
The three main symptoms are tiredness weight loss and excessive thirst. Untreated and you’ll quickly become very unwell. When did you see your GP, did you have a finger prick test done in the surgery that would give you an instant blood sugar reading it would he abnormal if you have T1 and any bloods sent to the labs the resulrs are back with the GP in 24 hours if they are grossly abnormal many labs will also contact the GP. So if for example you had the blood taken Wednesday your blood results would be back by now and I would hope that your GP would have contacted you urgently if they were abnormal as untreated T1 is medical emergency. If it was Friday then they may not know. Where I live out of hours can look up your results so you could call 111 and explain your situation.

@Mumaway my daughter was diagnosed with T1 diabetes at age 34.

Should have said increased urination is another key symptom. If you breath smells of ketones (pear drops) you would be feeling very unwell and as I said above this is a medical emergency. Interestingly 30-30% of the population can’t smell it.

Thank you all - I had my bloods (proper blood tests, not finger prick) done on Thursday, the GP receptionist called yesterday to make an appointment for tomorrow.

How is excessive thirst quantified? I am drinking 3 litres of water overnight (plus water during the day), would this be classed as excessive?

Unfortunately 111 can't see my medical records as I have some specific reasons (safeguarding) that they can't be shared at the moment.

I don't know what key tones smell like but people keep telling me I smell like alcohol when I don't drink, is that that?

3 litres of water overnight would certainly be classed as excessive - as long as you're drinking all that due to thirst.

Yes, I'm waking up really thirsty throughout the night, not so much during the day though.

I think you need to see someone today, out of hours GP or A&E.
A&E wouldn’t be inappropriate if you’ve fainted 3 times this morning.

3l overnight is excessive. Should add Im no expert on T2 children rarely get it. You would most likely have had an HbA1C done this is your average blood sugar over the last three months it doesn’t tell you if it’s type 1 or 2.
How long have you had the symptoms and are you feeling very unwell? If you are worried or feeling worse then I would call 111 can the OOH GP not access your blood results?

Yes it could be.

If you're drinking 3 litres overnight, that's really excessive.

Are you seeing the doctor tomorrow?

If your ring 111 with your symptoms they'll tell you to go to A & E, so you might as well just do that.

I hope you get to the bottom of this.

That is not true.

Hi, OP -

‘ Smelling like alcohol when you don’t drink’ could be a way of saying that your breath is excreting ketones. With the 3L of water you drink each night and your other symptoms this does sound suspicious for diabetes.

’Fainting’ is only one type of loss of consciousness, technically. You could be losing consciousness for reasons to do with a pending diabetic crisis so yes, I think A&E or at least a call to 111 to describe what has happened is a good idea. But you must not drive! Can someone bring you?

If your bloods had come back with a high blood glucose you would have been phoned as they came in, not asked to book a routine appointment.

@Mumaway yes my SIL was diagnosed in her thirties, they believe it was caused by a virus.

She lost a lot of weight without trying before she was diagnosed, in fact we were all commented on how slim she looked and how jealous we were! That was her main symptom until she became very unwell and got rushed to hospital. Have you lost weight without trying?

I know six people close to me with T1, neighbours, family, friends. 5 of them were diagnosed in adulthood 20's x1, 40's x 3, 50's x 1 and only one as a child.
All pre-Covid and I understand that a nasty dose of Covid can trigger T1 in someone who might otherwise not have developed the disease, or not have developed it this early in life.

Even the descriptor of the disease has changed from Juvenile Onset Diabetes to Type 1 (insulin dependent) Diabetes.

Well maybe the receptionist misunderstood?

You need to see someone today.

Easy solution if the doctors won't test, buy yourself a blood glucose monitor & some test strips. You'll know instantly.

When my son had excessive thirst and was loosing weight rapidly, he was in DKA with his type one.

If you have fainted 3 times this morning, you need to be seen urgently, even if you were having no other symptoms.

i would go to A&E! tell them you are experiencing T1 symptoms and get them to do a blood finger prick test, it takes seconds and will be VERY obvious if you have T1!

Not true at all. Please don't comment about type one if you don't understand it. Very dangerous to give advice about something you do not know about, type one can kill.