Should I be worried about symptoms at 32? Isn’t diabetes usually diagnosed in children or over 40s.

[Thatbloodycat16]

Hi.

I’m new to this board, but posting for reassurance really.

I’ve an appointment at the GP this week as for the last 2-3 weeks I’ve been feeling progressively more poorly. Lightheaded from time to time, always thirsty and having massive wees when going to the toilet and that wee smells very strongly. Waking up at night to go to the toilet. Haven’t lost any weight (am actually obese) but am constantly hungry but not putting weight on. Absolutely shattered all the time even though I’m getting plenty of sleep. Fall asleep if I sit down for more than half hour. Already had a nap today and it’s only 10 to 10 and all I’ve done is school run. Glasses feel like they need updating as stuff can go blurry every now and then. Chronic itchy skin on my legs.

What kind of things should I expect at the doctors this week? Am I right in thinking these symptoms warrant asking them to check for diabetes?

Thanks

Unfortunately you can be diagnosed with type one or type two diabetes at any age. I hope things go ok for you.

Yep you can be diagnosed with either type at any age. Children are now being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I'm sure you're aware you're at greater risk of type 2 being obese. The good news is that it can be reversible with some hard work.

I would expect them to do a blood test, probably a fasting blood test and an hba1c but given the severity of your symptoms I would be bringing a urine sample in and asking them to dip it for ketones and sugar.

If it's type one, or they aren't sure, then you should be admitted to hospital same day.

Try and make an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms - you do sound like you are feeling rubbish and you need to be seen, and possibly examined by a professional face to face and not over the internet.

If you are overweight, as you have recognised, this is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, which can be diagnosed at any age, but there are other things your GP will want to consider.

Try not to worry, but do get an assessment. Good luck.

I was diagnosed with type 1 a couple of weeks before my 32nd birthday. You're right to be thinking about getting those symptoms checked out.

And by the way, about 50% of people with type 1 are diagnosed over the age of 30.

Thankyou to those who advised

I saw my GP on Friday and had a chat about the symptoms. She took a urine sample and did a finger prick test (glucose in both). She checked my weight at the same and we found I’ve lost 9lbs since my contraception review 5 weeks ago and I haven’t been dieting though have been walking a bit more. So much for me not losing weight like I thought.

I was referred up the hospital that same day. Really lovely people and made me feel really at ease as I was so nervous. Blood test (hbac?) came back as 55 and they have said I have diabetes. I have to see the diabetes team tomorrow. Now I’m worrying about it as I know how serious this condition is and I’m worried about the impact on mine and my children’s lives.

There's lot of information out now about how to control type 2 diabetes through diet. You've already lost some weight and have increased your exercise by walking more.
Try to have a positive mindset about this. I know it's hard when you've been given a diagnosis like this, but think about the steps you are going to take to deal with it.

www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/food-and-diabetes/i-have-type-2-diabetes
Have a read through this.

55 isn't awful at diagnosis. You can do this. Think of it as an opportunity to improve your whole family's lifestyle. It's great they saw you so quickly.

My dad got diagnosed in his early 50s. He lost some weight, changed his diet and started to exercise more and is now free of medication for it. Good luck!

She doesn’t yet know whether it’s type one or type two. You can’t diet and exercise away type one. It is very manageable though, the PM has it. It’s scary to get a new diagnosis, but you can manage this.

You can't cure type 1 (if it turns out to be that) with diet and exercise, true, but it will help with management.

The main thing is not to go into denial about either condition, there's a lot you can do to help yourself if you actively monitor blood glucose and make changes in response to various input.

Best wishes OP.

Thank you. They haven’t said what type it is yet. I think that’s one of the reasons I need to see the team tomorrow, along with getting information about the condition etc.

I would have thought at my age it would have been type 2 though?

And if it was type 1, why would it have shown up now at 32? Why not as a child or in my teens? And why didn’t I have gestational diabetes with my babies? I’m confused to be honest

Not everyone who gets diabetes will have had gestational diabetes. I would be surprised if it's type one as your hba1c wasn't that high. There are more than just the two types of diabetes though. Good luck tomorrow.

There's a sub-type of type 1 called LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes in adults) which is where the autoimmune attack happens much more slowly and you still have some insulin production for a long time. This is what I have. But your HBA1C is quite low, so it may be type 2.

Get your GP surgery to book you on their course for managing diabetes as soon as you know the type - another that thinks its T2 given the llevel of your blood test as that is liturally the marker level (I think its 54 or below pre-diabetes etc) I can recommend lower carb eating (note I do not say no or low, just lower and that includes sugar, flour, bread, pots etc) as that will help you particularly at the moment while you sort out what treatment will be etc. It will be helpful to up your activity levels as well as that burns sugars in the blood.

If you can try and loose some weight as that is helpful - even half a stone could tip you back to pre-diabetes and combined with lower carb eating and more exercise will enable you to control via food and exercise rather than metformin which is the usual first step.

I had gestational diabetes insulin controlled at 38 then about 12yrs free from impact and now been t2 for about 2 yrs - food and exercise for 2 yrs and just trying metformin now (4mths in) it does upset your tummy quite often so you have to have a bit of care with what you what you eat and when, but it does make you feel alot better overall. It helps with tiredness but overall I am more tired and often try to have a sleep at some point - only 20 mins but I find that helps as it also disturbs my sleep at night often as well.

Sorry you're dealing with this. As others have said, 55 isn't too bad, so hopefully they'll be able to get it under control.

I was diagnosed at 28, they suspected a couple of years earlier but then ruled it out.

Hope you get some answers tomorrow.

Didn’t Michael Mosley use the Newcastle professor diet which help reverse T2 Diabetes, could you look at doing that OP

The Newcastle diet is quite extreme and requires medical supervision I think. But there's a lot you can do with diet to help insulin resistance and glucose management without going that far. www.diabetes.co.uk has a lot of information and a very good forum.

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis OP and realise you have a lot to process and to learn.

If it's Ok to offer some advice, I would strongly recommend you take up whatever education your local diabetes team offer you. There are some excellent programmes that people find really useful.

Learning about the condition and taking control is the way to go. Good Luck.