Worried it might be T2 diabetes - would that make me a ‘bad’ lazy person?

[bluetongue]

About a year ago I had a blood test come back possibly pre diabetic fasting glucose level but my A1C test was okay. I’m currently 47, BMI of 25 and family history of type 2 diabetes. After that blood test I lost a stone to get to a healthy BMI but have since put back on a couple of kilos.

In around the last month I have been peeing more and been fatigued. Saying that, I’ve always had a ‘nervous bladder’ and had to pee a couple of times a night since I was a child. On the fatigue front my team has had a member on long term sick and I’ve been taking on many of her tasks. It’s been mentally exhausting and I’ve taken today off as a mental health day which I feel bad about because my other team member will have to pick up my load as well as the load of the sick colleague.

Obviously I need to get tested but I hate the fact it could be T2 because it’s seen as something fat, lazy people bring upon themselves. Sure I could be healthier, but on the other hand 60 kilos is hardly huge (I’m only 5’1). I should exercise more but I rarely drink, have never smoked and never done drugs. In the scheme of things I don’t think I’m doing that badly. It still doesn’t stop me from beating myself up for not having a healthier lifestyle and not being skinnier.

Hopefully it’s ‘just’ work stress and burnout but I need to stop being so hard on myself don’t I?

You might want to consider if asking people with T2 if they are bad and lazy is not particularly appropriate?

Yes I am T2. No I am not bad and lazy.

I actually think it's unlikely to be diabetes, but even if it is, you have done everything you could to reduce the risk, it happened anyway. If someone had a family history of bowel cancer knew that so tried to reduce their consumption of red and processed meat, but got diagnosed anyway, would you blame them ?

I thought this when I read the OP. It sounds like the OP themselves judge people with T2 to be lazy! I have quite a few friends with T2 and they’re mainly far from lazy.

I have T2 and am in the BMI healthy range. It’s a complex condition and what’s more important is that you get the right treatment as soon as possible. So just go for the test and don’t let labels scare you. You don’t need to broadcast your medical conditions.

It does sound a bit awful and probably harsher than it was meant to be. Especially when I have a family member that has T2 despite being slim

Maybe it’s more that I’m worried that others will judge for not looking after myself. I know that’s crazy because most people don’t even guess that I’m above the ideal BMI!

So you see it as something that fat lazy people bring on themselves?

As I have never, ever heard that.

You're judging others, and expect them to judge you too.

If you are worried about what people think, don't tell them (if you do have Type 2). It's not something you need to discuss.

I'd say its less about being so hard on yourself and more about not judging everyone else. You have no idea why other people are overweight and what their health struggles are, yet you are quite happily bandying about judgements of laziness and "bringing it on themselves". If you are interested in understanding more about why some people have fat bodies and still manage to be amazingly motivated and gorgeous human beings, I would recommend the Maintenance Phase podcast.

If you have a family history you should be checking HBA1C regularly anyway. My DH is T2 and was diagnosed at BMI 27 - he’s reduced his weight to BMI 22 and runs and cycles a lot - so neither fat nor lazy. He got the T2 into remission and has kept it there for several years with low carb diet. It’s worth knowing your A1C and making changes to reverse any progression if at all possible - and it sounds like you are already doing that. I’m with you that there is a stigma attached even though in reality half of those diagnosed are not obese. T2 is regularly presented in the media as purely a lifestyle disease when that’s only part of the story.

So you have a family history of T2 but still judge?

If you don't get tested and you are T2 you will be causing yourself more issues in the long term.

@bluetongue

cheers, thanks for that. Nice to know people DO judge, and find me lacking, fat & lazy.

actually I have a virus attack my liver, it caused fatty liver disease & metabolic issues which LD on to T2.

I am obese now because my metabolism is fucked. I seriously low carb & I exercise. I don't lose weight.

I was a whole 7 stone wet when I was diagnosed . The T2 & related metabolic issues have CAUSED the weight, they're not because of the weight.

one day people will stop solely blaming lifestyle for T2 & people will understand that in many cases it CAUSES the issues, From virus attacking organs, liver in particular.

my current hope is that a decent piece of research comes out of long covid that helps.

I find your attitude really offensive.

but I will say, look into low carbing & exercise if you don't want to end up with T2. Do it now, you have a family history of it & you have been warned, the sooner you help yourself the better.

Goodness I was surprised by this, who thinks diabetes is what “fat lazy people bring in themselves” what a horrible thing to write and think. And no, people don’t think that. Just you.

There is a bit of shame attached to having T2 (I've never been lazy but I am quite fat and liked food) so I get what you are saying, it plays into all the shame I've felt about being heavier than I'd like. However, getting a diagnosis has been helpful for me. I eat very healthily and feel really good about keeping my hba1c in the "non diabetic" category. Head in the sand behaviour only works for so long. I wish I'd have found out sooner!

OP don’t worry about it, people think all sorts of things and are misinformed a lot of the time. I wouldn’t think of you as fat or lazy or to blame if you were diagnosed.

Much of the thinking is encouraged by the messaging about type 2 diabetes being “caused by lifestyle” whereas type 1 is autoimmune. It even says this on the NHS website. Also, sanctimonious people in the public eye like those twin doctors who constantly talk about type 2 diabetes being a risk when you are overweight/obese don’t help matters either. I don’t think it’s unreasonable then that OP might worry that others might think it’s her fault or that it’s because she is “fat”.

This

I’m so sorry if I offended anyone. Obviously I have some body image issues to deal with (thanks mum).

As someone who needs to eat 1200 calories or less to shift any weight I really do get that it’s not easy to be slim. I’m also a terrible emotional eater so I get it, I really do.

Maybe what I’m trying to say is I regret not being able to be a healthy weight, even if I’m only slightly overweight and perhaps that would have stopped me getting T2 if I have it (or maybe not).

Thee bedside manner of some doctors doesn’t help either. When I had high cholesterol (which also runs in the family) as a slim 20 something I remember the GP laughing about it, how it was something that old or fat people got. It’s surprising how many GPS will fat shame you when you’re only slightly overweight.

I just think you've picked up some very strange idea somewhere. Genes are as significant as lifestyle.

I think maybe it would be good to take personal responsibility for your own thoughts and actions, and not blame everyone else. I assume you are an adult?

Update. I bought myself a test kit and my non fasting level was 9.5 mmol/l. I’m going to do a fasting level tomorrow morning. I’m not sure what my results were last blood test the GP but from my basic research this current number is probably too high. Sob. I’m wondering if my recent fatigue is connected. The brain fog I had was awful and I had to take a day off work because of it. That and increased urination are my only symptoms but I know some people have no symptoms at all.

Stupid genetics 😭

Whatever your fasting level you need an A1C done. If you can’t get in quickly to see GP we use Thriva at home testing and have been very impressed with the service. Be proud of yourself for taking control of your health. If you do get a diagnosis of T2 or pre diabetes then being proactive about it will stand you in good stead. Good luck!

@bluetongue 9.5mmol/l is high. When had you last eaten prior to that reading?

As others have said I would get your HBA1c checked again and cut out sugar completely. Also go low carb generally.

I'm prediabetic and my Dad had type 2 - it ain't ever going away for me. If you've had gestastional diabetes you are 40% more likely to develop T2 diabetes.

I weigh 10 stone 7 and I'm 5'8'' - not fat or lazy - and definitely prediabetic forever - it sucks.

Your thread title is extremely offensive.

Read the diabetes code.

I understand where youare coming from, OP. Many of us are WAY more negative, critical, judgemental toward ourselves than toward others.I'm sure you would never react to someone else's diagnosis of T2 by thinking, 'Well, she must be bad and lazy', but I'm guessing it comes readily to mind in connection with yourself because you are habitually harsh on yourself.
For what its worth, I certainly wouldn't think this if someone I knew was diagnosed. We all have differing genes etc which respond differntly to the same diet and exercise level. And in addition, we are all struggling with the really toxic landscape of processed food, designed to distort our appetites, etc. It's really HARD to protect ourselves from this.
Another thing: we are all more or less self-sabotaging in one way or another and most of us have bodies that would be better in some respect if only we could behave always as we know we should.

No real advice but I always thought t1 = genetic. T2 = lifestyle generally although I’m sure there are exceptions. . No judgement I’m a 16 and the extra weight I carry will have a negative effect on my health.