... for my tests to come back. I thought I might be GD to type 1, but my antibodies test came back negative. I am 31, slim, short, and have no history of diabetes anywhere in my family. I had GD in 2009 with my 3rd child and the diabetes never went away. More recently I had been on metformin but then started getting sick and my #'s were in the 300 and 400's. I was sent to the Endo. and put on insulin. I'm still on insulin and am curious when the other tests come back if I'll be a type 2 for sure and possibly get back on some medication. Not that I have anything against insulin, but I am tired of the lows! :) I am slowly starting to get over being annoyed at a medical freak show. Every doctor (and person for that matter) who looks at me says, "weird." Right now I have lots and lots of questions, but I guess what matters is that my blood sugar is controlled on a daily basis. I was swinging from high to low on the insulin at first, but I think I may have got the hang of it and I am starting to have more normal numbers even though I felt so shaky at first! It's a bit exhausting.
There is something type 1B (idiopathic) diabetes. People with this type of type 1 do not have antibodies but show a decrease in the production of insulin. It may come and go over the years from what I understand. Have you had your c-peptide checked? Low c-peptide levels would put you more on the type 1 side, even without antibodies.
Hi MKSSS: I wrote a whole blog on autoimmune gestational diabetes. Many, many women here on TuD were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but it was really pregnancy that was the straw that broke the camel's back and led to Type 1 diabetes. Did you have the full suite of antibody tests performed? GAD, ICA, IA-2, and zinc transporter? Also, one TuD member who is a LADA/Type 1 diagnosed in pregnancy was just slightly antibody positive, but her doctor said she was not Type 1. You are "slightly pregnant" like you are "slightly antibody positive." My suggestion (just my 2 cents) is that you stay on the insulin, as you probably need it, and work on reducing the hypos. I found that I have far fewer hypos by using an insulin pump, but that might not be something that interests you. I hope that you are doing okay! I also always recommend two books, "Using Insulin" and "Think Like a Pancreas." And yes, in the beginning it is all so overwhelming, but in time it does get better and more second nature.
I also wrote a blog giving tips for the newly diagnosed Type 1. I hope some of it is helpful.
I would second Melitta's recommendation regarding a pump. If your TDD is still fairly low, a pump is going to give you greater control and will help prevent those lows. Because I'm insulin sensitive and have a relatively small TDD (around 20 units/day, give or take), a pump has been a lifesaver for me. My lows are not as severe and fewer.
What is TDD? Thanks! I'm new at all this diabetes lingo! :)
Thank you so much! I am going to read it. I can use all the help/advice I can get!!!
I am waiting on my c-peptide and some of the other tests to come back! I have an Endo. apt. next week so we will see what they say!
WOW! I just read your blog. I can't believe it. That sounds like me, AND it describes my original docs to a t (a family doc and an internal medicine doc who insist that I'm type 2 even though medication wasn't working). I'm thankful I'm with an Endo. now. Hopefully they are more up on latest research?! At least they knew to run lots of tests (not just antibodies). Thanks for the information. Diabetes is so overwhelming to me right now and I have a hard time just grasping what I'm supposed to do on a daily basis. I'm in awe of proactive people like yourself who are education themselves and passing on your good info. to the rest of us.
Thank you!
Yes, Melitta is right. I am one of those originally diagnosed with GD during pregnancy. It went away immediately after then I got really sick with typical symptoms about 6 months later and was diagnosed Type 2 (by internist) but the oral meds didn't work. Finally went to an endo and was diagnosed Type 1. The endo said that I was probably honeymooning and that's why I was misdiagnosed Type 2.
I also would suggest staying on the insulin and working on reducing the hypos. It will get easier and you may find that you have much better control on the insulin once you get the hang of it.
TDD is Total Daily Dose, meaning the total amount of insulin (basal and bolus) that you use in a day. Read all about such things in Gary Scheiner's "Think Like a Pancreas." MyBustedPancreas' TDD is 20 units a day. And yes, there is so much to learn! But it does get easier.