Are some of you that is type one for a while also been diagnosed with insulin resistance (type 2 symptoms)? Do you take medicine for the resistance? How was this resistance diagnosed?
Rietta,
Though insulin resistance is often described as a Type 2 symptom, in fact, it is extremely common among MOST older people 2/3s of whom never develop diabetes. So it would stand to reason that many Type 1s would develop some insulin resistance as they get older.
I recently read a study about using metformin with Type 1. If I recall correctly, the outcome was that using metformin dropped the amount of insulin that people with Type 1 needed to use but did not make a significant difference to their A1c.
Since the more insulin you use, the more you are likely to put on weight, metformin might be very helpful even if the A1c doesn’t change.
I’m neither a Type 1 or Type 2 but have one of the odder Type 1.5s. I’m insulin sensitive and metformin doesn’t make any difference in my A1c, but it makes a HUGE difference in my ability to not gain weight. It cuts my needed insulin dose at a meal from 3 units to 2, which is a big change percentage wise but not a lot of insulin, but it stops me gaining any weight if I eat reasonably. Without the metformin I start gaining as soon as I stop eating very low carb.
Dear Jenny.
I find metformin also beneficial but I get really sick after 3 weeks on the stuff. Not tummy upset as long as I take it with food but I get totally exhausted. most people seem to be fine on it. Is there anything I am doing wrong?
It can also happen to Type 1s as a result of insulin antibodies. No medication available for that, but sometimes a change in insulin (particularly to Apidra) can help.
I’m Type 1 with resistance
. I have resistance with a higher grams carbohydrate diet and larger doses of insulin. The more carbs I eat early in the day, the more resistance I have in the afternoon-evening.
It was diagnosed by my figuring out that in the morning if I eat, for example, 35 gms carb, I can use 3.5 u Humalog. For supper, however, if I eat 35 grams, I must cover it with 6 grams, or 1u:6grams.
Since my Lantus (basal) shots are divided between am and pm to keep BG level, the only things that changed were the carbs and the Humalog amount.
If, however, in the morning I eat 20 grams, I need 2u Humalog 1u:10grams ratio - and at supper, it’s the same if I eat 20 grams, I need 2 u. 1u:10grams all day. The more carbs & insulin I put into myself, the more resistance at the end of the day.
No medicine for resistance in my case; just attention to low carb & more protein diet.
Do the doctors test for insulin antibodies?