[ClaireElaine]

hi i am 21, will be 22 in exactly 2 weeks, haha. I was diagnosed with type 2 over the summer, but then went to an endocrinologist and got more blood work done. he then re-diagnosed me with type 1 onset. I am still in the learning process about diabetes in general, but what does this all mean?

-Claire

[princesslinda]

Hi Claire, welcome to the forums. You'll find out you're in good company, lots of Type I's here who'll be glad to answer your questions and offer advice. Found this information on T1 online...

"Type 1 diabetes (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) results when the pancreas loses its ability to make the hormone insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the person's own immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Once those cells are destroyed, they won't ever make insulin again.

Type 1 diabetes can't be prevented, and there is no practical way to predict who will get it. There is nothing that either a parent or the child did to cause the disease. Once a person has type 1 diabetes, it does not go away and requires lifelong treatment. Those with type 1 diabetes depend on daily insulin injections or an insulin pump to control their blood glucose levels."

[ClaireElaine]

Thank you for that information! I have been searching online for so long and that really is the best short, simple, and direct answer I have heard about type 1 diabetes. I understand that I had no control by getting it, but are there any specific reasons or things that happened to me even internally that may cause type 1 in anyone?

Also, like I said I was misdiagnosed at first, so when I found out about the type 1 my doctor just up-ed my perscription of Metformin to 4 time release capsules a day, all at once. He said that he doesn't know if it will be months or years but I will eventually have to be on insulin. Is this because I will become imune to the medicine or what? My blood sugar levels are usually steady but still higher than he reconmended. What level would you say is high enough for me to contact my docotr again and possibly have to be dependent on insulin? (Usually between upper 90's and 150's-ish)

Thank you so much!

-Claire

[BlueSky]

Originally Posted by ClaireElaine

... He said that he doesn't know if it will be months or years but I will eventually have to be on insulin....

It happens because the amount of insulin your pancreas produces declines to the point where your blood sugar goes up and you have to inject more of the stuff. While your pancreas still produces some insulin, you are said to be in the "honeymoon stage". This will end too and you will become totally dependent on injected insulin. Normally, endocrinologists put new T1s straight onto insulin. The ssoner you do this, the longer the honeymoon lasts.

[volleyball]

You may want to start improving your diet, even people that think they are eating healthy are not always with diabetes in the picture. The better you eat, the less work you body has to do to deal with your blood sugar. A few smart decision now will pay dividends for years to come.

[shabbie6247]

welcome claire elaine!