[Nada]

I see many of you have switched dx'es.

Do they figure it out through bw? What do they look for to determine whether you are type 1 or 2? I was under the impression it was all about insulin resistance... but now I'm not so sure.

[Funnygrl]

You don't change diagnosis type, what happens is some people are misdiagnosed because of stereotypes, ie, all young people are type 1, all old people are type 2.

It is all about insulin resistance for the most part. They usually figure out type by measuring c-peptides and antibody testing.

[DazedSheep]

I was in hospital and put on insulin via drips, then woman gave me a big talk about how to inject and whether I was planning on having children. Stayed on insulin til Easter when clinic said my habc1 meant I was type2(was on small dose but had alot of hypos) Now i'm constantly high even if I up my metformin. Diabetes is horrid whatever the type

[Keezheekoni]

Like FunnyGrl said, a lot of people are misdiagnosed because of stereotypes. My story is a little long, but suffice it to say that I was finally diagnosed correctly after being mis-labeled for 12 years, because of being overweight.

[ladytaz]

Originally Posted by DazedSheep

I was in hospital and put on insulin via drips, then woman gave me a big talk about how to inject and whether I was planning on having children. Stayed on insulin til Easter when clinic said my habc1 meant I was type2(was on small dose but had alot of hypos) Now i'm constantly high even if I up my metformin. Diabetes is horrid whatever the type

Since when do they determine your type of diabetes upon an A1c test? Hun, I think your medical team at the clinic needs to go back to medical school and learn a thing or two!

I really feel for y'all there "across the pond" ... seriously! From what most of you keep saying, it seems most your doctors and nurses are SO uneducated about diabetes! That's just sad! Not saying we don't have our share here, cuz we CERTAINLY do!!

[ladytaz]

Originally Posted by Rikki

Like FunnyGrl said, a lot of people are misdiagnosed because of stereotypes. My story is a little long, but suffice it to say that I was finally diagnosed correctly after being mis-labeled for 12 years, because of being overweight.

Ha Ha! I like that one Rikki .... cuz your "fat" it MUST be Type 2!! *rolls eyes*

[seacomp]

Originally Posted by ladytaz

Since when do they determine your type of diabetes upon an A1c test?

Perhaps the doctor made two statements;
1) You are a type 2, and
2) Let's stop the insulin, the A1C shows that you are stabilized
and somehow the message was sent that you are a type 2 because of the A1C?

[DazedSheep]

Ladytaz, it was 7.5 so they took me off insulin. I'm starting to think they made a mistake. I resd about a man with a reading of 1337 who now says he's cured.

[ladytaz]

Originally Posted by DazedSheep

Ladytaz, it was 7.5 so they took me off insulin.

Again, your A1c has nothing to do with what "type" you are! Plenty of Type 1's have super wonderful A1c's, plenty with crappy! That goes for ALL diabetic types. All the A1c really shows is how well it's being controlled, or how badly it's been out of control! It is not a diagnostic tool to determine which "type" of diabetic one is.

Originally Posted by DazedSheep

I'm starting to think they made a mistake.

What do you mean? Like how, about what exactly?

Originally Posted by DazedSheep

I resd about a man with a reading of 1337 who now says he's cured.

Sorry to inform the "cured" man .... um ... no such a thing! He may be in VERY good "control" but he is NOT cured! Let him do a GTT test and see how his body reacts to that!! If his BG doesn't rise, then he was NEVER diabetic in the first place! He may have been sick and his BG rose incredibly high BECAUSE of being sick. That or a miracle was performed!

Originally Posted by seacomp

Perhaps the doctor made two statements;
1) You are a type 2, and
2) Let's stop the insulin, the A1C shows that you are stabilized
and somehow the message was sent that you are a type 2 because of the A1C?

Now, yes, I can see that, if someone didn't know or understand the A1c and differences in types.

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by Nada

I see many of you have switched dx'es.

Do they figure it out through bw? What do they look for to determine whether you are type 1 or 2? I was under the impression it was all about insulin resistance... but now I'm not so sure.

Nada, in answer to your question, they do have various blood tests to determine the type of Diabetes you have. Some doctors do not run tests due to financial reasons (i.e. insurance won't cover), or because they are "sure" of a person's initial diagnosis.

Also, the reason some of us aren't sure or have "changed diagnosis statuses" over the years is cause when we were initially diagnosed (i.e. almost 25 years ago for me), they didn't have tests to determine the type.

As for insulin resistance, I truly believe a multitude of factors come into play. It's part of it, but I'm sure there are other factors as well.

[am1977]

I think there definitely is confusion over this issue .

I think many assume that if you are on insulin, you have T1 and if you are on diet or meds, it means you are T2...

This is so not the truth.

Yes, T1s have no choice but to have to inject insulin (as our bodies do not produce any). T1 is a autoimmune disease, which means that for some reason our bodies turn on themselves and attack the cells that produce insulin. W/o insulin, we end up pretty sick and it could become pretty serious... namely DKA. Anyway, it means we need to inject insulin to make up for the insulin we don't produce. Also, some T1s also need to take some type of med as well... b/c they have built up some type of insulin resistance as well.

T2s also have problems with insulin, but not b/c they aren't making any. Usually, they make insulin but their bodies don't use it as they should. Insulin Resistance is usally a factor. It is thought that it's due to lifestyle choices...diet, exercise, etc. Many start out on diet and meds. BUT... some T2s need to be on insulin too. Usually, their bodies aren't responding that well to diet/exercise or meds, and that is when insulin is brought into the picture.

I guess what I'm saying is how our diabetes is treated doesn't change our status as a T1 or T2, whatever the case should be.

Hope that helps.

[grace girl]

It seems to me, unfortunately, that what type they call you is largely dependent upon the knowledge of the doctor you are seeing. In 6 years I've been told:
1. you're type 2 (no actual blood work done, simply based on the fact that I was over-weight.)
2. No, you're type 1 (results of c-peptide and antibody test)
3. OMG-I'm confused, I don't know what you are, you need an endo
4. You're type 1.5 (because of age of onset-32)
5. No, really you're type 1 (because of c-peptide and antibody test)

My personal opinion...it was type 1 all along...I don't think I've jumped back and forth over the proverbial fence. The first doc I saw shouldn't have simply assumed that a 32 year old woman who was overweight with a fasting bs of 360 was type 2. Simple blood work would have saved me two years of misery.
As to insulin resistance, my current endo told me that type 1's can have it, too. It is particularly common with pre-menopausal women (cough, cough) and menopausal women....whether they are diabetic or not. Those aren't the only factors, just the one's I'm MOST FAMILIAR with at the moment. (don't mean to yell, touchy subject!)

I think EVERYONE who is dx'ed with D should DEMAND a c-peptide and the GAD antibody test. It would make treatment so much simpler in so many ways, and avoid so many problems that so many people needlessly go through.

[DazedSheep]

Originally Posted by ladytaz

Again, your A1c has nothing to do with what "type" you are! Plenty of Type 1's have super wonderful A1c's, plenty with crappy! That goes for ALL diabetic types. All the A1c really shows is how well it's being controlled, or how badly it's been out of control! It is not a diagnostic tool to determine which "type" of diabetic one is.


What do you mean? Like how, about what exactly?



Sorry to inform the "cured" man .... um ... no such a thing! He may be in VERY good "control" but he is NOT cured! Let him do a GTT test and see how his body reacts to that!! If his BG doesn't rise, then he was NEVER diabetic in the first place! He may have been sick and his BG rose incredibly high BECAUSE of being sick. That or a miracle was performed!



Now, yes, I can see that, if someone didn't know or understand the A1c and differences in types.

If your habc1 keeps coming down the less medication you're on they probably change your diagnosis.Seems like they make it up as they go along. Am I allowed to say that? Diabetes is complicated and is different for each person. Even a Dr can't know your body better than yoursef

[ladytaz]

Originally Posted by DazedSheep;

If your habc1 keeps coming down the less medication you're on they probably change your diagnosis.Seems like they make it up as they go along. Am I allowed to say that? Diabetes is complicated and is different for each person. Even a Dr can't know your body better than yoursef

No hun, that's not how it works. When/If your A1c comes down, that just means you're in better control Which of course is a good thing! And just because your A1c comes down, doesn't necessarily mean the less meds you will be on. Yes, sometimes Type 2's are put on insulin initially, and when they get in better control, the doc will discontinue the use of the insulin. In the beginning, when first diagnosed, it's all a mix and match kind of game ... figuring out what mix of meds and dosages of that mix works for an individual .... as each person is different, meds and dosages will be different with each person. What works for one, may not work for another

Originally Posted by gracegirl

It seems to me, unfortunately, that what type they call you is largely dependent upon the knowledge of the doctor you are seeing.

SO true!! And apparently, there are a LOT of docs out there who haven't a clue! I'm appalled at what I read on this forum what some of y'all say your docs have told you!

I'm appalled that my first doc NEVER did an A1c test on me!! So I have NO clue what I started out at, yanno! I'll FINALLY find out where I'm at now on Jan 9th, almost a year and a half later!! I'm appalled that he was of NO help to me when it came to eating properly! He gave me one of those stupid exchange list things! UGH! Even I already knew that wasn't the way to go these days!! I was never set up with a DE or a nutritionist. And NO help finding these services for free either! I DID ask about it!! I'm also appalled that he was only concerned with my morning numbers! I informed him that I am/will be testing before and after every meal, until I learn how different foods affect my BG! He was good with the meds, and getting them worked out. I still need some adjustment of those. I saw him for 3 months.(up until I couldn't afford to go and see him anymore!)

Luckily I'm the type that doesn't take a docs word as gold, and go and research to find out about things for myself! Else I'd never have learned what to do, and never would have been on the road to good control!!

[JediSkipdogg]

Does type really even matter? For the patient (us) I personally believe no. If the treatment method works, then that's fine.

The people it matters for is a common language between doctors and for insurance companies. Basically just the medical industry. What good is it if you are a type 1 in the US but in Britain you are a type 74 (if they had that many)? That's why there is still a huge debate over type 1.5, type 3, etc.

Technically, there are only 4 types that are nationally recognized and accepted. Those are Type 1, Type 2, Gestational, and Pre-Diabetes. All of those other ones, LADA, 1.5, etc. are not really types yet, so if a doctor has no idea what that type is, it doesn't mean they are stupid, just that they aren't in line wiht non-nationally accepted terminology.

My main point is, I think a diagnosis type is only good if they hit it dead on the first time. If you are type 1 and they try diet and meds alone and say you are a type 2 cause you are 45 and weigh 300 lbs and refuse to change your treatment, then there's a problem.