I don't really know the effect high fructose corn syrup versus cane sugar has. I have heard it has worse and better effects on blood sugar, I don't know what to expect consuming HFC vs. sugar in a soda.
Results of the antibody testing are negative. I think that is good news, but it does leave me unsure of what to do next.
which antibodies did they test?
I’m in the same confusing boat. Auto antibody negative, good fasting BG, high post prandials without carb restriction (140-275), reasonable A1C because of continued good background insulin production and reactive hypos being averaged in to it. On the basis of genetics, symptoms, family and personal autoimmune disease history my doc still thinks it’s early autoimmune diabetes (also known as LADA) although becuz my last OGTT only indicated impaired glucose tolerance that is still my “official” diagnosis even though when I google that it’s always about T2D. I tried prandin which stopped the high post meal BG but unfortunately I still often had the lows several hours later except they were rather sudden and unpredictable.
GAD, insulin antibodies, and ICA. All clearly negative results.
My doctor thinks type 2, although she said my c-peptide is low, so I am likely headed for insulin at some point anyway. I'm going to give the metformin some time to work, but I don't think I am very insulin resistant since I have reasonable numbers even with low c-peptide. I go back to the doctor in October. I'll get to see if the metformin has had an effect on my a1c. In the meantime, I will continue to restrict carbohydrates (although I will be easing up a little on the carb restriction - under 10g per meal and snack is not something I can keep up) and monitoring my sugar levels. I feel mostly relieved that the antibodies came back negative, although I still don't understand what is going on in my case.
This is basically my situation. Antibody negative, low c-peptide and I have been on insulin for three years. I appear to be insulin resistant. Given that I now clearly need insulin, my endo simply calls me an idiopathic T1. I still take metformin and I guess it helps, but the biggest thing, just like you, is a low carb diet. In the end, diabetes isn't one or two specific things, it is a spectrum of things. And we are all different. It doesn't really matter if we have a specific label, all that really matters is that we are able to treat and manage our condition to live a long happy and healthy life.
Yep, my c-peptide is low and my insulin also tested low during my OGTT more inline with T1D results. You’re right Brian, diabetes sure is a spectrum, didn’t know that until my own BG went wonky. Sure wish doctors would rethink the classification and diagnosis process so there was more consistency, especially for us “peculiar” types.
Well, it is good to know I am not alone. That does help. I know the name doesn't change the treatment (necessarily), but being an engineer makes me want to solve all my problems in a logical fashion. I suppose all of this is good for my character!
No, you’re not alone and as a more right-brained artsy type person I’m also struggling/interested in figuring this blood glucose thing out. Not so much because I feel compelled to understand the science of the insulin glucose cycle, but more because I just want the best quality of life I can have now and in the future as I continue to age.
Hi CQJ,
I'm in a kind of similar situation.
As part of TrialNet (T1D studies on relatives of people with T1), I was found to have auto-antibodies that indicate a likelihood of developing T1. (Surprise!) My OGTT results were abysmal--about 250mg/dL at the end. (Another surprise!) That is officially diabetes, but in normal life, where I'd never drink sugar syrup, I do not have diabetes at all. My A1c is 4.7.
I have taken this to mean that I will have Type 1 diabetes some day, maybe soon. I mean, I guess I *technically* have it, but as a practical matter I do not have it.
I love coming to this group and reading about reactive hypoglycemia, which is a new concept for me. It explains so much. After one of the OGTT's, I had a low of 50.
"It seems like there is nothing a doctor would do with me even if I did get a diagnosis" <---I think you are right. The TrialNet doctor has advised me to just check my fasting BG periodically, and if I notice it creeping up to 130 consistently, that is the signal to get treatment. This TrialNet doc is very pro-start insulin early to preserve function, but even he does not advise insulin yet. My fasting BG is always over 100, but rarely over 120. His advice is to not eat a lot of carbs all at once and to keep a semi-watchful eye. Good luck to us all! : )
Actually, I tried wearing my son's* old CGM for a week to see how my fairly low-carb meals were prodding my BG, and I *always* go over 150, sometimes even up to about 200, if I eat something like a giant salad without a lot of fat/protein along with it. (*I have a son with Type 1.)
I'm sorry for you people but on the other hand it's so good to know I'm not the only one..
I have to tell you, if you were at 250 mg/dl 2 hours into your OGTT then you have diabetes. It doesn't matter what your A1c is (and your A1c may in fact be wrong if you have various conditions like anemia). As your insulin production fails, it is actually your response to meals which often goes first. My view would be that your doctor should be watching your after meal numbers, not your fasting. Your fasting will probably be the last thing to go.
I understand, I also have a similar background. Over the years I've been particularly troubled by trying to understand exactly what has happened to me and what my condition actually is. Sadly, I've made little progress. I have diabetes, I am not diagnosable as an autoimmune T1 based on antibodies. I've not been successful in getting MODY testing. And my diabetes presents in a way that confounds my endo. So in the end, I've had to come to terms and accept that there are things we may never understand. I am diagnosed with T2 diabetes because it is the diagnosis of exclusion not because I don't have any specific kind of diabetes, only that medical science barely understands what is going on.
I did not read every thread of this conversation. But when you get to the endo have them run all the autoammune test they can AND make sure they do a C-Pep -that is the defining factor. It will tell you what your beta cells are doing in your pancrase then they can help you figure out a course of treatment.
I’m a LADA at 48 and was put in the type2 category because of age but because I was insistent I got the correct diagnosis within two weeks. So you are doing the right thing by questioning the dr’s.
Perhaps we should start a new group here, Diabetic Misfits…