AskNadia: Can Type 2 Diabetes Turn into Type 1?

Dear Nadia:

I have type 2 diabetes and am on 500 mg of Metformin. My A1c inched up a bit, and my doctor doubled my daily metformin medication. I also wear an Abbott CGM, which I love. Some nights I wake up with a 40-blood sugar reading. Other times I will eat a burger at night, and my blood sugar is excellent throughout the night. I drink red wine with dinner every night. I stopped taking my medication for one day.

Can my Type 2 diabetes turn into type 1?

AE

Dear EA,

You are doing the right thing by working with your healthcare professional. The prescribed Metformin is based on your unique medical profile. Typically an increase in dosing is an effort to lower your blood sugars to achieve your A1c goal.

How Does Metformin Work

Metformin prevents the liver from releasing glucose, allowing the insulin your body still produces to be more effective.

Drinking wine every night is generally not recommended by healthcare professionals. One of the dangers of drinking with medications is possibly confusing a low blood sugar by feeling “buzzed.”

If you started experiencing low blood sugars right after you increased your medication, remember, your doctor is trying to figure out what the best dose for you is. 500 mg may be too low if your blood sugars are running high, while 1000 mg per day may be too high if your blood sugars are running low. Not taking your medication is never a good idea. Metformin is either time-released or immediately released. Read your prescription bottle to see if you have a generic or branded metformin.

Your healthcare professional team depends on you to give them feedback on how the medicine is working in attaining your mutually agreed blood sugar goal. I would call your doctor to share the frequency of low blood sugars. Let them know when it is most likely to dip down. To dial in the perfect dose, make sure to continue the follow up with your healthcare professional on your blood sugar readings until you achieve the blood sugar targets you have both set for yourself.

The long answer is, unless you are a person living with type 1.5 diabetes, then the answer is no. Type 2 does not turn into type 1 diabetes.

Type 1.5 Diabetes

Type 1.5 diabetes, also known as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), is an autoimmune disease that falls between type 1 and type 2 diabetes because it has characteristics of both.
According to an article in The Beacon News, approximately 10 percent of patients with type 1.5 are misdiagnosed with type 2. If you’re over 35 when you develop diabetes, and especially if you have excess weight or classified as obese, your healthcare provider may assume that you have type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, if you don’t quite fit the profile of someone with type 2 diabetes, if diabetes pills don’t seem to be working well, or if you show some of the characteristics of type 1, maybe you have LADA. People with LADA have islet antibodies in their blood and, as in type 1 diabetes, their immune system is attacking beta cells. However, this is happening at a much slower rate and initially they don’t need insulin. One may consider that LADA is type 1 diabetes that progresses slowly.
One study in Diabetes Care states you probably have LADA (rather than type 2 diabetes) if two or more of the following fit:

• You were under age 50 when you were diagnosed with diabetes.
• You had “acute” symptoms at diagnosis, that is, symptoms typical of type 1 diabetes.
• Your BMI is less than 25.
• You have a personal history of autoimmune disease (such as thyroid disease, celiac sprue, Addison’s disease, or others).

• You have a family history of autoimmune disease.
The symptoms of type 1.5 are the same as the more well-known types of diabetes. They include increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and blurred vision.

I wish you the best in health!

Nadia

Source:

Metformin, Oral Tablet

Disclaimer:

Nadia’s feedback on your question is in no way intended to initiate or replace your healthcare professional’s therapy or advice. Please check in with your medical team to discuss your diabetes management concerns.

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AskNadia@diabeteshealth.com and receive her unique perspective on your question.

About Nadia:

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AskNadia (ranked #1 by Google), named “Best Diabetes Blog for 2019 & 2017 by Healthline and with 24 nominations, Nadia Al-Samarrie’s efforts have made her stand out as a pioneer and leading patient advocate in the diabetes community.

Nadia was not only born into a family with diabetes but also married into one. Propelled at a young age into “caretaker mode,” and with her knowledge of the scarcity of resources, support, and understanding for people with diabetes, co-founded Diabetes Interview, now Diabetes Health magazine.
Under her reign- Diabetes Health magazine was named one of the top 10 magazines to follow in the world for 2018 by Feedspot Blog Reader

Nadia is featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and other major cable networks. Her publications, medical supply business, and website have been cited, recognized and published in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, Ann Landers advice column, former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, Entrepreneur magazine, Houston News, Phili.com, Brand Week, Drug Topics, and many other media outlets.

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6 Things You Can Do To Turn Your Life Around

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Every now and then, we are hit with an unexpected roadblock on our path to success or a better life. Sometimes, we can overcome them, but other times, they hit us hard. Naturally, we have strong reactions to these failures, and the most common one is giving up. However, you shouldn’t give up so easily.

There is still a chance to lift yourself up from the ground and possibly turn your life around. The timeframe could be a few months, a year, or more – it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are once again satisfied and on the right track.

You might wonder how this turnaround is possible. The truth is that all you need is determination and a small push. You can start small, by changing your diet or turning off the TV. A tiny change now can become something bigger later in life. With that said, here are some ways you can start turning your life around.

1. Put an end to all toxic relationships

F1

When I say relationship, I mean any kind of interpersonal relationship — with your parents, siblings, partners, or friends. Any toxic relationship is harmful for both you and the other party. Having to constantly fight with someone, or be surrounded by negativity, is pure damage to your system. No matter what the other person thinks or feels, you shouldn’t allow them to ruin your mood.

Moreover, you shouldn’t let their negativity have any effect on you. The worst thing that could happen is for the relationship to turn mentally abusive. For example, if your friend doesn’t support or encourage you, then what is the point of being friends? If they are not on your side, they are not your friend.

Just ask yourself what you want and need, and whether you are getting that from the relationship in question. If there is no space for your personal growth, then the best solution would be to end it. For once, put yourself first.

2. Become physically active

There are many advantages to working out. For starters, it will make you physically fit. You will feel energized, strong, and powerful. With each workout, your body will be pumped. You will be pumped mentally, too. When you feel the rush, you will want to exercise more and more. Furthermore, it boosts your mood and mental activity.

If you are constantly sitting at a desk, looking at a computer screen, and being inactive in general, your brain slowly starts to shut down. It seems like it is asleep. Your memory is bad, your thinking is slowed down, and your mind wanders. However, all this can be improved by simply working out. By changing your daily routine from stagnate to active, you can become more motivated to achieve your goals.

3. Acquire a new skill

Let’s imagine your career has fallen apart. You have been a teacher for most of your life, or an accountant, for example, and now you are jobless. There is no prospect for you in this industry anymore – so, what do you do? Well, probably the best (and maybe the craziest) solution would be to start over. This means learning a new set of skills from scratch.

Whatever is in, at the moment, try and get into it. If designers or IT people are in demand, then you could learn a skill from that spectrum. Who knows what could happen; perhaps, in a year or so, you could find a better job.

Building new skills is always a good idea. You could earn some extra money on the side, or use them in dire situations like the one mentioned above. Moreover, you will become more knowledgeable in general. Education should be your priority, even after finishing high school and university.

4. Change your diet plan

Another way you might be exposing yourself to toxicity is through your diet. If you are hooked on fast food and other heavily processed products, you jeopardize both your physical and mental health. Poor food choices and lack of hydration could cause severe problems, such as a possible heart attack, breathing difficulties, and clotted arteries — to name a few. Plus, it could cause you to start losing confidence, happiness, and the will to be active.

Consulting a nutritionist would be the first step towards turning a new page. They could give you advice on what type of food to eat and how much of it you need on a daily basis. Instead of eating burgers all the time, you could throw in some fish, which would be a great positive change in your diet plan. Luckily for you, it is easy to prepare and there are many types of delicious fish. Go on a tryout spree until you find the best-tasting fish. You should also stop consuming sodas and turn to water and organic juices. Sodas are filled with sugar and other additives, which don’t do your health any good.

5. Cut your expenses and start saving some money

If you are deep in the gutter, struggling to survive by the end of the month, then you are doing something wrong. The reason for this lack of funds is probably your unnecessary spending. If you want to save up some money, then you need to make a valid savings plan. This can help you in many different ways.

You could invest the money or save it for a rainy day. You could even go on a trip or two, if you learn how to be more frugal. The point is that having a backup stash of money is good. It could help you start your own business, move, or resolve any other problem. It could be a lifesaver and a life changer.

6. Turn off the TV

Do not confine yourself inside the walls of your house, sitting in front of the TV screen day and night. No matter how many hours you spend watching TV, it won’t teach you anything. You will not grow and develop if you continue like this. The advertisements, talk shows, reality stars, and all the rest, will not teach you anything. There is no value to what they are selling.

You would be better off reading a book, going for a walk, or having lunch with friends. Even if there is a show or a movie you like on, you could always watch it online. The news and other important stuff could be followed through newspapers or online. The TV has become obsolete and you should move past it.

It is safe to say that it doesn’t take much for you to turn your life around. By taking these baby steps, you will train yourself to be better and endure until your new life begins. Give it a try. You never know what could be waiting on the new page of your life — so be brave and turn it over.

Featured photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yashna13/ via flickr.com

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