[matingara]

Originally Posted by lottadata

It is possible for many people diagnosed as Type 2s to have widely varying amoutns of insulin sensitivity, because in many ways "Type 2" is a "garbage can" diagnosis. If someone isn't Type 1--i.e. has no autoimmune markeres, they get diagnosed as Type 2. But the diagnosis covers hundreds of different genetic flaws and underlying causes and varying degrees of beta cell dysfunction.

There's a pancreas autopsy study I link to on my site where they found that the rate of beta cell death was much higher in lean Type 2s, for example. And NIH statistics say that about 20% of "Type 2s" are normal weight.

I know quite a few normal weight Type 2s, whose IR varies hugely. Some are eating very low carb and stilll need a lot of insulin to get normal numbers. Some eat can 30-40 grams per meal and get completely normal numbers. I know a couple other officially type 2 people who use insulin doses similar to the tiny ones I use who respond strongly to them. Some people get dramatic blood sugar drops in response to Byetta, others see their bgs go up.

Great to see you here lottadata!!! your expert opinions and website are probably the best diabetes info in the world.

I am a normal weight person and have been diagnosed as Type 2. (July 2007).

I am pretty sure I am insulin deficient. i eat pretty low carb and what little insulin i make keeps my BGLs close to normal.

Therefore, I am sure that (like you) if i used insulin to cover meals i would need just tiny amounts.

My GP has said that he will put me on insulin if i want. my concern at the moment is that i might go low even with a tiny amount of insulin.

i mean, i have been waking with a fasting BGL of between 72-90.

have you experienced lows due to injected insulin?

i also need to figure out if i am Type 2 (probably not), LADA or MODY. Any idea what i should ask next?

-- Joel.

[lottadata]

Joel,

Thanks for the kind words!

You already are using insulin--Diamicron is causing insulin secretion all the time no matter what your blood sugars might be. So if you aren't hypoing on the tiny dose of diamicron, you probably would do fine on tiny doses of injected insulin. I'd recommend starting with 1/2 unit and working up.

That said, Diamicron is the sulf that isn't available in the U.S. and it is the one recommended for MODY by Dr. Hattersley at exactly the dose you are taking.

The sulfs available in the US may pack more wallop which makes them miserable to use for MODY. I have huge respect for Dr. H, and it is possible that if you are feelling good on the Diamicron it is the right treatment and very tiny doses of short acting meal time insulin might be all you need to give you more dietary freedom.

Your numbers are coming down so dramatically with your current regimen, it's probably a good one. I was just this week trying to find out how I could get some Diamicron to test myself. Doesn't look possible.

Re lows, though, my situation is a bit different than normal, because I have a very counterregulatory response that pushes my blood sugar up. Even with a bit of Lantus and meal time insulin with a failry low carb intake my fasting bg is rarely under 95. I've put years into trying to get it lower and occasionally it will dip, but then it comes right back up. I live with it.

[clauna]

HI!
this is my first post, so I apologise for my english(second languaje) HI ALL! Hi Pegasus!
I started 5 years ago with A1c 18! I was never overwieght, first in the family. I am on lantus (11u) and max metformin, very high antibodies, but my endocr said I am type 2, I still don't understand the combination of insuline resistance and antibodies, is the resistance because the inicial hyperglucemia?? too much of a chance of having together 1&2 at the same time!

[clauna]

I forgot I am on encreasing amounts of fast insuline also!

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by clauna

... very high antibodies, but my endocr said I am type 2, I still don't understand the combination of insuline resistance and antibodies, ...

If there are lots of antibodies, you are type1. What makes you think you are insulin resistant? How much rapid acting are you using?

[clauna]

Hi bue sky
my antibodies seem pretty high...but at the same time if I forget to take the metformin my glucemia skyrockets.
I started with 2-4 u fast insulin premeals. I was told I am finishing my "honey moon"

[Emm]

Everything you've said suggests type 1 to me (most likely LADA?). 2-4u suggests NO insulin resistance at all.

[clauna]

you think I don't have resistance even the evident need for metformin?
I also thought I have D1 given the antibodies...
thanks!

[clauna]

How do you define diabetes 1.5?

[Emm]

Basically, 1.5 (LADA) is adult onset of type 1 diabetes which comes on a lot slower. Type one generally hits with some speed... a person can be perfectly happy one day and then heading for hospital the next. LADA (Latent Auto-immune Diabetes in Adults) Can take months to kick in - even years.

In the end though, it's still type 1 - still auto-immune diabetes, and still needs insulin.

Metformin can lower your insulin needs - I took it myself for a while as it was meant to help me lose weight. Unfortunately it didn't have that side effect for me but it did lower my insulin dosage a little.

I should add that the term 'type 1.5' is not an official name - and to some people it seems to have a different definition. So when I'm talking about adult slow onset type 1 I generally call it LADA and avoid the 1.5 thing so as to avoid some confusion!

[clauna]

yeap...LADA/1.5 sounds like me.

when in a meal situation, do you excuse yourself and go to the bathroom to inject insulin?(without pump) isn't too disruptive?
I suppose there isn't any other way, isn't it?

[Emm]

I would never inject in a bathroom!
I inject before I eat, or right there at the table. It's easy to be discreet.