Type 1 dxd with bloodwork only?

[PepsiLvr]

Hello all,

I hope I can get a little help here...

Breif history...

Age: 24
Dxd: 2 months ago
Meds: Metaglip 2.5/500
BG levels have come down (from 500 before meds to 99-200
with meds)
Bloodwork shows c-peptide is off (not exactly shure of the # right now)


I was orig dxd as type 2 or type 1.5 by my family doctor. I went to see an endo today and he said it is type 1 for sure. He based this on my bloodwork alone. (only things bloodwork showed as a problem were BG, of course and c-peptide) Are there other tests that can be done to find out exactly what is going on? He wants me to start immediately on Insulin 4X daily (1- 24hr and 1 with each meal) It would seem to me that maybe a stronger dose of the meds would help instead.

I don't want to jump right into giving myself 4 injections / day when I was just dxd 2 months ago with no symptoms except fatigue.

Any help is appreicated!!!!

[Andrea]

An antibody test could show if your diabetes is autoimmune (and therefore without a doubt type 1).

This is from the www.diabetes123.com website:
"People with Type 1 diabetes have antibodies in their blood that indicate an "allergy to self," or an autoimmune condition. One autoantibody found in people with Type 1 diabetes is the islet cell antibody. This antibody is often present months or years before the diabetes presents. Other antibodies include the GAD (or 64-K) antibody and the ICA 512 antibody. The presence of these antibodies is a sign that the body is attacking its own beta cells."

Were you in ketoacidosis at diagnosis? What is your weight like and did it change in the weeks or months preceding your diagnosis? Are you caucasian? Diabetes usually is only diagnosed with blood work. And clinical symptoms. Depending on your answers to the above questions, it doesn't seem far fetched at all that you might have type 1. And if you do, you want to get on insulin as fast as you possibly can.

Hope this helps,

Andrea

[TAutry]

pepsilvr,

What is your opposition to insulin injections compared to oral medication? Is it the delivery system(syringe)?

I wasn't very keen on the idea of injections when I was first diagnosed. Now, I don't want anything else. Too many of the oral meds have potential side effects. I have been injecting since 1990 without any side effects and been able to maintain good control.

Travis

[HeatherP]

Sorry pepsilvr, but if you're truly a T1, then you HAVE to take insulin. The pills that T2's take either stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin or reduce the body's resistance to what it does produce. If you're T1, then your body is destroying or has destroyed the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. I was 24 when I was diagnosed, too.

The shots aren't fun, and it can be very upsetting at first. I remember the first day I went in to see my doc and she was going to give me my first lesson on injecting. So she pinches up a bit of my thigh, and I'm sitting on the exam table cringing and with my hands over my eyes so I didn't have to watch, lol. Of course, she made me open my eyes so I could learn.

Once you adjust and get used to it, injecting becomes a mundane thing such as brushing your teeth or washing your hair.

All in all, I just want to reassure you that it is NOT the hellish nightmare you may be imagining.

PM me anytime if you'd like to talk,
HeatherP

[PepsiLvr]

Hello and thanks to those that replied. I really am not too afraid of the shots even though it did take me 40 minutes before I could prick my finger with the lancet the first time LOL! I'm just very suprised that 1 doctor said to take the pills and not to come back unless there are major problems and another doctor says that I need insulin. This is just such a big shock all within the past couple months.

Furthermore, I don't feel that enough tests were done to make a positive dxd. I don't know if I was in ketoacidosis at time of dxd because I wasn't tested for that. A normal blood test + A1c was all I got.

I just want a clear cut asnwer from these doctors as to what is going on. It almost feels like this is a guessing game when it's my health that is at stake.

[Shalyndria]

I just want a clear cut asnwer from these doctors as to what is going on. It almost feels like this is a guessing game when it's my health that is at stake.

And you're entitled to a clear answer. But the only person you can get that from is your Endo/doctor. You can tell your doctors that you want an FBS or a GTT; that is your right.

Keep us posted.

Shy

[statdeac]

Pepslvr,

I was diagnosed type 1 with the GAD antibody test by my endo after initially being misdiagnosed type 2 by my PCP.

I know how I felt when my endo recommended multiple daily injections...mortified!

He told me 2 things...
1) shots don't really hurt because the needles are so darn thin - finger sticks are worse!
2) i was really better off doing the shots because it offered greater flexibility then being tied down to a rigid eating schedule.

I was skeptical at first, but after living this way for the past 3 1/2 years, I can honestly say that he was right! I do like it better, it is easier and I have actually found a meter that requires so little blood that the fingersticks don't bother me either.

Hang in there, pepslvr! Yeah, you should be confident that the doc knows the right answer, but it he turns out to be right...
it probably won't be as bad as you are thinking it will be.

Welcome to the forums and please keep us updated on your situation!

Statdeac

[Andrea]

Hi Pepsilvr,

Of course you want a clear cut answer. That is the very least all of us are entitled to. Ask your new doctor about the antibody testing and hopefully you and he will be able to figure out the most appropriate treatment for your diabetes based on concrete facts.

Andrea

[PepsiLvr]

Thanks everyone, you are all very helpful and caring people. I will inquire about the antibody testing but in the meantime I think I will be starting the insulin. I thought about it and it doesn't make sense for my BG to be high right now and the insulin seems like the only answer at this point. If the antibody tests turn up positive then I'm already on the insulin and that would be good, if they turn up negative then we can explore other options.

Again, thanks everyone, for all your helpful comments.

[rzrbks]

See, pepsilvr, that's what you get for stickin' with pepsi. J/K


I truly have sympathy for those who are trying to handle this with diet and pills.

I wouldn't give up my shots for nuthin'.

Plus the insulin, unless you're gonna go the pump route, is much cheaper than the pills.

On insulin, while you do have to watch your diet, not as tightly as if you're Type 2.

Could go on and on--imho, I'd rather be Type 1 than Type 2 any day.

[PepsiLvr]

Well, I start insulin today. Lantus (I think) in the evening and Novolog with each meal. I went to a CDE today to learn how to do the injections and it's not as bad as I thought. The needle doesn't even hurt as much as the lancet (statdeac, you were right) I actually feel pretty good about doing this as compared to taking pills that don't really help that much. I feel that I will eventually have good control of my BG.

Thanks again everyone!!!

[statdeac]

Pepsilvr, glad to hear you are doing so well! Keep on postin' your questions and comments. We can all learn a lot from each other.