Diabetic.. Type unknown at the mo

[SecretSquirrel193]

I don't know where to start..
I had a full (fasting) blood a few weeks ago as I've felt 'not right' since around July although not been normal for much longer - I finally got my butt to the dr after another bought of tonsillitis and he thought I had chronic sinusitis - and told me if I didn't feel better to go back - the antibiotics and nasal sprays didn't really make me feel much better so back I went for the bloods. That glucose came back as 8. something mmol/l (over 146mg/dl) with everything else normal. I was then booked in for a glucose tolerance test and my fasting glucose on my finger prick was 9.6mmol/l (193mg/dl) - the glucose tolerance test was pre 7.8mmol (160mg/dl) and post glucose was 16.3mmol (off my chart but 290+mg/dl) The Dr said based on my age (25) and lack of type 2 diabetic family history and the fact my dad and his sister have autoimmune problems it could be type 1.. I will admit I expected to be told I'm type 2 as I am overweight.

So I am being referred to the diabetic clinic and in the mean time, if I feel at all poorly to go straight back. . I am waiting for my letter for referral but for now I don't know what to do, what to think or even what it means. I don't know where to start with looking about it, or questions to ask.. I have been on this site but thats about it.

How will they find out which type I am? What chances will I need to make to my life if its 1? if its 2?

its quite an emotionsl time when you face such a life altering condition..

I am prediabetic so just making huge changes to my eating habits so empathise with you.

this is another very good site with lots experienced diabetics

www.diabetes.co.uk/

with varied views so read lots and do what suits .... personally as a prediabetic or type 2 I choose to lower carbs

You certainly have diabetic levels but as indicated by dr more tests needed to see if insulin needed.

There may be other people here that can hold hands more with you ........ the forum on tha above site good too.

I wish I knew what type I was, or even when my appointment is. I am worried I am going to have really change up my life, as I currently work nights (90% of the time alone) and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I have looked at low carb, paleo and dukan but there seems to be pros and cons to both and I can't seem to make up my mind. Then you get people telling you the diabetic diet/s the professionals tell you to use are fantastic on one hand, and utter rubbish on the other, same for levels to aim for, you name it.

I am so confused/scared/worried :(

there is almost too much information to try and digest before you even know if its insulin or tablets or diet. Hard as it is maybe best wait till you see what medications you will need and just how you will need to alter your diet.

with working nights alone you might need to be careful with regard to balancing in case you have hypos and I would think that you should not change diet too radically at forst... take it slow,y. I am currently eating reasonalby "normally " in order to find out what sets my sugars too high but have cut carbs quite a bit as they were high .. I love bread, potatos , cereals and pasta !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what seems a common theme is that clee dmamge to pancreas occurs at blood sugar levels only slightly higher than "normal" ........ load and loads =people like me are prediabetic and dont know it.

I checked myself because brother recently diagnosed t2 and my cousin t1 my DD had gestational diabetes and I had over 10 lb baby

wake up call !

there are a lot of young t1 people on that website too
www.diabetes.co.uk/ ,, working link

I haven't changed anything at the moment except less potatoes (never eat pasta) as I am too scared to without knowing which it is, esp with work.
I have briefly spoken to work and broached the idea of coming onto days while I stabilise as that seems to make sense - I don't see how easy it'll be if half my week is one way and half the other?

SecretSquirrel what a worrying time for you! There's loads of support out there for people with diabetes and as tazzle has already recommended www.diabetes.co.uk is a great place to start.

Things to consider that you can do to help your situation are your diet, healthy high fibre, low fat, low sugar, low salt diet with plenty of fruit and veg. Exercise - if you don't already get moving, alcohol in moderation. A lifestyle we would all benefit from really .

Do you think you might be able to loose some weight especially if the weight you are carrying is around your waist? (like me).

Diabetes is something to be respected as are the cardio vascular problems it can lead to if it's not taken seriously enough. You sound very sensible - although understandably a little shocked!

My FIL has type 2 diabetes but he insists he hasn't got it very bad as he's only diet controlled despite DH (a GP) and myself a nurse with a special interest in diabetes telling him otherwise.

I have cut a lot of my exercise recently, because I haven't had the energy to do it, which isn't ideal. I am trying to lose weight, and had joined WW although that now seems like it wasn't the best idea :(

Well if you're not feeling great at he moment then exercise is not the thing to be doing right now, more a long term plan!

You need to get yourself sorted out and until you've been seen in diabetic clinic and got your blood sugars stabilized you're probably not going to feel brilliant. I hope your appointment comes through quickly.

My referral went in a week ago, so just waiting.. hoping its this side of Christmas :(

This is probably denial but what's make me the most cross, is I STILL have the original problems I went to the dr with

Sorry you are going through such a worrying time, but there will be better times ahead again, even if that is difficult/impossible to see right now, honest !

First off, as a newly diagnosed diabetic, no matter what type, on no drug treatment at the moment (did I get that right?), you are NOT at rik of hypoglycaemic problems. Your body is unable to 'pull' blood sugar into your body cells (which is what insulin does, whether it is your body's own or injected insulin), be that as energy to your muscle cells or as fat to your stores. Your problem (tiredness, lethargy, thirst and weeing lots) are all down to HIGH blood sugar levels. So, in the very short-term being conscious of sweet things and 'refined' carbohydrates (everything 'white': white bread, white pasta, white rice) and cutting them down/avoiding them when possible is a good idea.

It will take some time for you to feel better, even when you are on optimum treatment. Remember, at the moment sugar just pointlessly gets pumped round your blood stream without doing anything much for you. You either don't make enough insulin or your insulin receptors are not recognising it. If you were to lose weight ie if there is less of you, whatever insulin you might have, may be enough to 'make' you not diabetic IYSWIM (if you have Type II). There is a blood test to help make the differentiation (GAD - do not ask me what it stands for ).

Were you not given any kind of dietary guidance?? A good diabetic diet is very similar to any 'Healthy lifestyle' diet with an emphasis on low intake of refined carbohydrates.

It is a huge amount to learn, but learn you will . Don't despair (and don't worry about hypos at this point).
Hope your appointment comes through very quickly.

The only thing my Dr told me at the moment was no pasta, limit potato and if I feel worse, to go in asap which hasn't really helped with the anxiety about being newly diagnosed :(

I am on nothing, with no guidance, just that I've been referred, after 2 fasting bloods and a glucose tolerance test

I am away for a while - have DCs to collect, but I'll be back later.

I am not as knowledgable as some other posters. However, I have a friend who is an 'expert' diabetic patient and gives talks to newly diagnosed diabetics for our local hospital. She swears by sticking to a low GI diet. she is a type 1 diabetic, who was very difficult to control until she switched to a low GI diet which really helped.

Yy to Low GI diet - slow 'burning', slow release carbohydrates.

Here is more re GAD blood test to determine what type of diabetes you might have.

Did you have your HbA1c checked at your GP's? This is a blood test that gives an idea what your blood sugars have been running at in the last 10-12 weeks and also helps to monitor it as you continue with treatment.

In our practice the Practice Nurse is a font of information for new diabetics - your practice might be organised similarly? Ours has many leaflets with information re diet, exercise, dos and don'ts, medication etc etc.

Try not to fret too much, chances are you have gradually become more and more diabetic for weeks or even months, so much as good control is vital for your longterm health, in the very shortterm nothing much will happen if you just carry on and eat what is a healthy diet for anybody.

Having (Type 1) diabetes does not seem to have held Sir Steve Redgrave back much...

No HbA1c blood taken. I had part of my GTT with the practice nurse and she said it would all be dealt with under the Dr and diabetic bit of the hospital. Off to look at low GI.

SS - how are things going now? I finally braved up to going to the chemist yesterday to get tested - the Pharmacist did the finger prick test and I was '20'. She rang my Drs there and then to get an apt and was very worried. I went to my Drs and he acted like it was a huge over-reaction but has done bloods. He says if it comes back that I am diabetic he is pretty sure, due to my 'shape' (fat and carrying a lot around my middle) I'd need medication and diet/exercise alone wouldn't be enough.

I have started a thread.

But was looking around and found your thread - so wondering how you got on?

A close friend has been type 1 diabetic for 36 years. The advice given has changed radically in this time! Now, she follows a low GI diet which works well for her and had stabilised her blood sugars significantly.
As others have said, you need the diagnosis before you can really get to grips with everything.