Understanding Adult-onset Type 1 Diabetes
When then 34-year-old Rebecca Gill was pregnant with her second child in 2004, high blood sugar levels led to a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, an often-temporary form of diabetes that can occur in pregnant women. After Gill’s son was born, her blood sugar levels returned to normal, and her doctors assumed that the diabetes was gone. But another blood test given several weeks after she gave birth showed that her diabetes problems had returned. She was referred to an endocrinologist who ran tests and eventually diagnosed her with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, or LADA. “Thankfully, I was one of the lucky ones whose endocrinologist had experience with LADA,” says Gill, an internet marketing consultant in Commerce, Mich. LADA, also known as type 1.5 diabetes or double diabetes, is a form of diabetes in which an adult’s immune system destroys beta cells in the pancreas, cells that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts the body’s blood sugar to energy. Without enough insulin, blood sugar levels can become too high, resulting in nerve damage, blindness, and other problems if untreated. LADA is similar to type 1 diabetes in that both forms are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking beta cells. However, most diabetics with LADA are diagnosed after age 30, while the most common form of type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or adolescents. LADA: A Different Diabetes Because LADA appears in adulthood, it may be initially mistaken for type 2 diabetes, but it is different. People who have LADA are often initially misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes, says Priscilla Hollander, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. “Many people with LADA present symptoms a little like type 2s,” Dr. Hollander expla Continue reading >>
Pre-diabetes In My Early 20s?
Hello, Im new here! My name is Veronica, and Im from Montreal. Im 23 years old, and a university student Last month I went to my GP because a cousin of mine came to visit me, and she was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and was really into testing everybodys blood sugar when she had to check hers. My two hours after lunch number was 13.3 mmol/L and my aunt felt that was too high and said that I should bring it up with my GP. Having a long family history of diabetes (my dad and grandpa have type 2, and my maternal grandmother, my moms sister and her four children all have type 1), I decided this was a good idea. I hadnt had any symptoms, but better to get it checked out and have it be nothing, than to do nothing and have it be something. I made an appointment with my GP for later that week. My dad (a type 2 - I still live with my parents while in university) decided to take a few more numbers with his meter on the Sunday prior to my appointment. My fasting number was 7.2, my 2 hours after breakfast was 15.9, before lunch it was 7.7, and two hours after it was 13.1, before dinner it was 6.8 and two hours after it was 9.9. Before bed it had come down to 9.1. I told my GP this, and she sent me for blood work. My fasting blood sugar according to the lab was 6.8 mmol/L (which they flagged as too high) and my hemoglobin A1C was 6.3%. My GP said that my A1C was totally fine but that my fasting blood sugar was a bit too high, was pre-diabetes, and that I should try and lose 5lbs to correct this (Im 56 and weigh 160lbs). I cant even figure out how to lose 5lbs. I already take 25 000 steps a day and swim an hour every day. She said she didnt want to prescribe any medications or do any further testing (I asked if she should check me from type 1 antibodies and she said no, Continue reading >>
How Is This Possible? Being Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes At 20- Page 2
My father was diagnosed at age 32 with Type 1 diabetes. Rather unusual indeed. But no, I don't believe it is all that unusual to be diagnosed with it in the early 20's. My college roommate was also diagnosed with it at 20; though she also had Friedrich's Ataxia (a form of Muscular Dystrophy), and Type 1 diabetes is somehow believed to be linked to this disease, meaning persons with FA also end up with Type 1 DM. I know several hundred (no not fibbing on the number) of people that have been diagnosed well after the age of 30 with type 1 diabetes. Main reason I know so many is that I am on a support group for those that use the insulin-pump. The largest support on the net for those that use the insulin pump I should say. Hey my post resurfaced. It has alomost been a year since my diagnosis of type I. I've been managing ery well, and am starting to look into the beifits of a pump. I still think life would be easier without diabetes but hey what can you do? I'm still in nursing school and doing great. I tell my instuctor at the begining of every semester (new instructors) about my diabetes just in case I get into trouble. One thing i do miss though is candy. I love candy jube jubes and really everything gummy. but i've been discovering the almost as good sugar free candy. but i think there could be advances inthis area. lol Hey my post resurfaced. It has alomost been a year since my diagnosis of type I. I've been managing ery well, and am starting to look into the beifits of a pump. I still think life would be easier without diabetes but hey what can you do? I'm still in nursing school and doing great. I tell my instuctor at the begining of every semester (new instructors) about my diabetes just in case I get into trouble. One thing i do miss though is candy. I love candy Continue reading >>
Type 1, 20's | Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community Type one diabetic, been diagnosed for 14 years now and still can't get the hang of it! Any tips? Type one diabetic, been diagnosed for 14 years now and still can't get the hang of it! Any tips? Are you carb counting and adjusting your insulin? If not, that's my biggest tip. I'd also recommend the book Think Like A Pancreas I'd you haven't already read it Trying to carb count but just finding it too time consuming and thanks I'll have a look at that! Type one diabetic, been diagnosed for 14 years now and still can't get the hang of it! Any tips? All of the above, particularly the carb counting, and if you can get any sort of cgm, such as Freestyle Libre, do that. The difference between a few snapshots from a meter and a full on 24 hours a day graph is extraordinary. If you're in your twenties, as the title suggests, it's easy to think, nah, I'm in my twenties, ain't going to worry about complications, but these things can catch up with you damned fast, so pay attention to it. Carb counting might sound tedious, but I'd rather put up with that than going blind. Type one diabetic, been diagnosed for 14 years now and still can't get the hang of it! Any tips? Hi there! PLEASE try to get on top of this as a priority. I speak from experience when I say that being lax in your 20s can really mess you up in your 30s. It's never too late. Perhaps you need to reboot your thinking about your T1? Start from the beginning and dedicate some time to getting a good tight blood glucose control. Be honest with your medical team and get their support in getting your T1 under control. If carb counting is too much for you then at least get some idea of the basics... a slice Continue reading >>
Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes As An Adult? You Are Not Alone
What happens when you're diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult? LADA - latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, also sometimes called diabetes 1.5, can strike later in life than typical type 1 diabetes. Imagine that you are in your twenties, thirties, or even your forties or fifties. You are progressing down your chosen path in life, whether it's an established career, a relationship, marriage, children or all of the above. All of a sudden, you're losing weight, thirsty and in the bathroom all the time, and you feel like you have no energy. You just plain don't feel good. You find out that you have type 1 diabetes, and your world is turned upside down, at least until you get the hang of managing diabetes in the middle of everything else you have to do in life. There aren't many resources for adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Most of the literature and support is geared toward kids because typically type 1 strikes children and teens. Not so long ago, type 1 diabetes was known as "juvenile diabetes." How does it feel to be hit with a disease that is usually diagnosed in children? E-mails and comments from readers talk about some of the issues of dealing with a new diagnosis of type 1 as an adult. Mary, on feelings of isolation with adult onset type 1 diabetes I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 42. My doctor had never met a type 1 adult before and absolutely freaked. She rang the specialist and talked to him in front of me before even telling me of her diagnosis. Since then I have self-managed my diabetes control and go through periods of frustration and guilt when I get it wrong. I live in a small settlement north of Wellington in New Zealand, where there are no local diabetes nurses. Being a full-time worker I find it very difficult to connect with Continue reading >>
Can You Get Type 1 At Any Age?
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community Hi I have been type 1 since I was 5 and I always assumed you only got it as a child and up to early adulthood but I heard recently that you can get it in your 30's and 40's is this true? Yes you can get T1 at any age just more common in younger years than in the older age group Older people though do tend to have a slower onset unlike children who have a very short on set period Yes you can get it in adulthood too. I was 20 when i was diagnosed, and there's more amongst the forum that were diagnosed older than i was. I think that's why it's more often called Type 1 diabetes and not Juvenile onset diabetes now as it can be misleading to say it only happens to children. It's similar to Type 2 diabetes, not just adults get that type either. Diabetes doesn't really mind what age, sex, shape, race you are As others have said, indeed you can. I was diagnosed T1 (or 1.5) at the age of 36. Yes you most definitely can develop T1 as an adult. As has been mentioned it is less common though. Typically you will find that adults that develop T1 will have a hostory of some other Autoimmune conditions and this is the key. It is genetic it just happens that your immune system took its time taking an interest in your Beta Cells. I developed T1, confirmed with test for antibodies, 2 years ago at age 31. In a way I think that I am lucky, in that I had 49 years without diabetes, a diabetes free childhood and adolescence. My heart goes out to the children (and their parents) that have to cope with diabetes at such an early age. Yes I got it in my early 50s, I've read of people developing it at much older ages. One study in Italy found that among males there were twin peaks Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes In Young Adulthood
1. INTRODUCTION Current estimates suggest that up to 3 million youth and adults in the United States are living with type 1 diabetes. Although primarily thought of as a disease of childhood, adults represent 85% of the total population with type 1 diabetes [1]. The vast majority of research addresses the needs of youth and has failed to focus on or follow youth into adulthood. As this review will highlight, management of type 1 diabetes in young adulthood brings a unique set of challenges and considerations that require further study. Young adulthood represents a critical period of risk for those with type 1 diabetes. Only 17% of early young adults (ages 18–25) and 30% of late young adults (ages 26–30) with type 1 diabetes meet current recommendations for glycemic control (i.e. HbA1c ≤7.0%) [2]. Longitudinal studies suggest that up to 50% of young adults with type 1 diabetes develop diabetes-related complications in their 20s [3], including retinopathy, neuropathy, and hypertension. Young adults with type 1 diabetes are also at disproportionate risk for overweight or obesity, which poses additional health risks [4–6]. Women generally report a higher rate of complications than men [7]. Young adults with type 1 diabetes, particularly those diagnosed in early childhood and with a history of significant hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, are at a slightly increased risk for difficulties with working memory and attention [8]. Risks during this period are magnified by inconsistent engagement with the health care system. Young adults are less likely than any other age group to maintain a usual source of medical care [9]; this problem is likely exacerbated by the need for young adults to transfer from pediatric to adult medical care systems. Relatively high rates of emergen Continue reading >>
Symptoms Of Diabetes Type 1 In Adults
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes in adults may occur suddenly It’s important to realize that early signs of type 1 diabetes in adults often develop quickly and may sometimes be brushed off—or mistaken for illness. Here’s what you should look out for: Frequent Urination: If you’re constantly running to the bathroom, your kidneys may be trying to rid your blood of excess sugar, resulting in an increased need to urinate. Extreme thirst: Increased urination can then result in dehydration, which will leave you feeling more thirsty than normal. Increased appetite: If you’re suddenly hungry all the time it may be because your body isn’t able to get proper energy from the food you eat. Unexpected weight loss: Along the same lines, if your body is losing sugar in your urine instead of absorbing it, you may lose weight without trying. Other symptoms of type 1 diabetes in adults Other diabetic symptoms in adults include feeling drowsy or lethargic; sudden vision changes; fruity or sweet-smelling breath; heavy or labored breathing; and stupor or unconsciousness. If you do have high blood sugar and it goes untreated, it could develop into diabetic ketoacidosis—a life-threatening condition. So please see your doctor immediately if you are exhibiting these warning signs. So what are the low blood sugar symptoms you should look out for? It’s important to realize that the signs of… The reality is that signs of type 1 diabetes usually develop suddenly. And, that’s why it can be… Continue reading >>
All About Lada: Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis In Adults
We're sorry, an error occurred. We are unable to collect your feedback at this time. However, your feedback is important to us. Please try again later. Who here got diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in their '20s, '30s, or even '40s? If so, you are (like me), a victim of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), once considered exceedingly rare but less and less so each year. LADA is also referred to as "Slow Onset Type 1" or sometimes " Type 1.5 " diabetes. Note that lots of physicians are still unfamiliar with it (!) Often, because of their age, patients with LADA are automatically assumed to have Type 2 diabetes. That's what the doctors told me during my initial hospital stay. I was 37 years old , and had lost 20 pounds within less than three weeks. (I was close to going into ketoacidosis and diabetic coma, although I didn't feel that sick.) It is now thought up to 20 percent of patients with apparent Type 2 diabetes really have LADA. Read the basics on LADA over at Diabetes Monitor. A few essential things to know if you've been diagnosed with LADA: The Viral Theory - Why did you suddenly develop Type 1 diabetes at this "late age"? Many researchers believe that "one or more viral infections may trigger the disease in genetically susceptible individuals." Insulin Honeymoon - For a happy period right after diagnosis, your pancreas is still able to put out some small amounts of insulin, so your necessary doses will be low, and you'll likely achieve very good BG results. Unfortunately, the honeymoon will end within a few months -- or at the latest, a year or two down the road. Be prepared. Complications Clock - Diabetic complications (you know, the nasty stuff) are the result of months and years of high blood sugars, or simply having diabetes for a very long period of t Continue reading >>
Diabetes In My 20s: Far From Sweet
I am sure that many 20-somethings have had this thought, subconsciously or otherwise. Even if we dont actually think it, this idea is what drives 20-somethings to act the way they do. Teen years are over! No more pleated skirts to iron and white shirts to bleach. For most of us, the world becomes focused on full-time jobs or tertiary education. We watch our elders age, and shake our heads when an old Uncle or Tantie is in hospital for sugar or pressure. I suppose many of us imagine that these diseases are for the old at least this is what I felt. So imagine my shock when I was diagnosed with diabetes. One morning, I woke up with a strange buzzing and heaviness in my left ear. It all started with a routine visit to the doctor back in 2009. One morning, I woke up with a strange buzzing and heaviness in my left ear. Walking about seemed to be a huge challenge. I bumped into everything (and I do mean everything), and every time I turned my head too fast, Id feel my body starting to tip to the left. Eventually, the sensation moved to my other ear, so I swallowed my stubbornness and went to the doctor. Everything about that visit was perfectly normal. I peed in a cup and endured the painful squeeze of having my pressure tested. The kind medical assistant wanted to know if I was diabetic, as there was sugar in my urine, but quickly allayed my worry, and said the doctor would handle it. The doctor was really interested in the sugar in my urine. He was even more interested in my frequent thirst (I get thirsty a lot), my feeling tired all the time (I doh get much sleep, nah), and going to the toilet a lot (because of all the water I drink, Doc). I was advised urgently to get a number of tests done, which I did in two twos. Four days later, I was back in his office. My ears seeme Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes In Adults
For years, distinguishing between the various types of diabetes was pretty straightforward: “Juvenile diabetes,” an autoimmune disease, was diagnosed primarily in children and teenagers when their own body’s immune system destroyed the insulin-producing (beta) cells in their pancreas. “Adult-onset diabetes” occurred in adults and was generally associated with insulin resistance and often with overweight. And “gestational diabetes” occurred in pregnant women and disappeared once the pregnancy was over. In the past 25 years, however, determining what type of diabetes a person has has become more of a challenge. In large part, that’s because more and more children and teenagers are now being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes — the type that occurred predominantly in adults in generations past. Most of these children and teens are overweight. At the same time, it’s becoming clearer that Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age and sometimes occurs in people who are overweight. In addition, another type of diabetes, called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, or LADA, that shares some characteristics with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, has been recognized. Muddying the water further is the realization that diabetic ketoacidosis, an acute, life-threatening complication of diabetes that is caused by a lack of insulin, can occur in people with Type 2 diabetes — not just in people with Type 1, as was previously thought. And while gestational diabetes is still diagnosed only in pregnant women, it is sometimes discovered that what is thought to be gestational diabetes is really Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes that happens to start during pregnancy. The incidence of diabetes has increased so greatly around the world in the past 25 years that health organizations and med Continue reading >>
Diabetes Type 1
Type 1 diabetes tends to start when people are under 25, although it can be diagnosed later in life. With Type 1 diabetes (also called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes) the body's immune system destroys, or attempts to destroy, the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is the hormone that allows glucose to enter the cells of the body to provide fuel. When glucose can't enter the cells, it builds up in the blood and the body's cells literally starve to death. Everyone with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections and regularly monitor their blood glucose levels. The cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown but it is thought to be an autoimmune disease, where the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Not all diabetes in children and teenagers is the kind called Type 1. Type 2 diabetes is being seen increasingly in young people. Where Type 1 diabetes always requires insulin, Type 2 can require insulin but often it can be treated with other medicines such as tablets. This section deals only with young people who have Type 1 diabetes. We have talked to a range of young people who've lived with Type 1 diabetes from those who were very young when they were first diagnosed to those who were diagnosed when they were teenagers. We have also talked to some young people only recently diagnosed. In this section young people talk about the signs and symptoms that prompted them to seek medical help. Signs of diabetes Most people remembered that the first symptoms of diabetes had crept up on them over weeks or even months- most had felt thirsty all the time and said that they started to drink more and more and found that they were unable to quench their thirst. Lots of people described realising something must be wrong wi Continue reading >>
14 Realities Of Having Type 1 Diabetes In Your 20s
14 realities of having type 1 diabetes in your 20s Today is World Diabetes Day and while millions of people live with the condition, only 10% of them have Type 1 which develops when insulin-producing cells have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce enough. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in children, so what is it like to find out you have it as an adult? Lauren Proctor, 25, developed diabetes in March 2009, during her second year of university at Keele in Staffordshire, England. She now works as a PA in London. Lauren put the symptoms down to her student lifestyle at first (Lauren Proctor) Here, Lauren explains the reality of suffering from the lifelong condition in your twenties. I brushed off my symptoms as all part of being a student. The tiredness especially, I couldnt get through the day without having an afternoon nap. And I was drinking a lot of water, once I had to ask a girl I didnt know sitting next to me in a lecture if I could have some of her water, because I was parched. Id get through an entire bottle of squash in a day. Over a month I just felt worse but when I went to the toilet five times in one night, and was almost in a car crash because my vision had started to be affected, I Googled my symptoms. 2. No one expects adults to be diagnosed with Type 1. Type 1 is also known as juvenile diabetes because most cases are found in children. To be diagnosed at the age of 19 was pretty rare. After Googling I was convinced I had Type 2 diabetes and went to the campus surgery. The nurses said because I was young and slim it wouldnt be diabetes, Id be fine. Then they took my blood sugar and it was 15.5 a normal reading would be six to eight. So I was taken to hospital where I was diagnosed as Type 1, and the doctors were really surprised because of my ag Continue reading >>
Early Symptoms Of Diabetes
What are the symptoms of diabetes? Although the signs of diabetes can begin to show early, sometimes it takes a person a while to recognize the symptoms. This often makes it seem like signs and symptoms of diabetes appear suddenly. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your body, rather than simply brushing them off. To that end, here are some type 1 and type 2 diabetes symptoms that you may want to watch out for: If you’re experiencing frequent urination your body might be telling you that your kidneys are trying to expel excess sugar in your blood. The resulting dehydration may then cause extreme thirst. Along the same lines, the lack of available fluids may also give you dry mouth and itchy skin. If you experience increased hunger or unexpected weight loss it could be because your body isn’t able to get adequate energy from the food you eat. High blood sugar levels can affect blood flow and cause nerve damage, which makes healing difficult. So having slow-healing cuts/sores is also a potential sign of diabetes. Yeast infections may occur in men and women who have diabetes as a result of yeast feeding on glucose. Other signs of diabetes Pay attention if you find yourself feeling drowsy or lethargic; pain or numbness in your extremities; vision changes; fruity or sweet-smelling breath which is one of the symptoms of high ketones; and experiencing nausea or vomiting—as these are additional signs that something is not right. If there’s any question, see your doctor immediately to ensure that your blood sugar levels are safe and rule out diabetes. So what are the low blood sugar symptoms you should look out for? It’s important to realize that the signs of… Polyuria occurs when your body urinates more frequently—and often in larger amounts—than Continue reading >>
Diagnosed In 20s?
I am 22 and was diagnosed relatively recently with Type 2. I've been in a serious depression for a long time, particularly with thinking I did this to myself and how differently my life could have been if I'd taken better care of myself. But enough of my pity party, I was wondering about life expectancy. Of course I know that nobody can predict the future, but I've been so worried that since I was diagnosed so young the complications will be inevitable and/or I'll die a very early death. I know there's tons of people who have lived many years with diabetes, but most of them seem to be type 1s. I was wondering if any of you were diagnosed in your 20s or have any success stories about people who have lived a nice long life? I'm trying my hardest to take good care of myself but I wonder is another 50-60 years of living with this disease too much to ask? Again I don't mean to sound overly negative or pitiful I'm just really looking for any kind of positives in my life. Of course, I'm looking for the truth positive or negative, so lay it on me. Am I doomed? Of all the chronic diseases known to man, we've probably got the easiest one. The key here is being serious about doing what needs to be done and avoiding denial or pandering to habits or desires which aren't good for you. It seems you will do more than fine in that regard. Keep that determination. Be prepared to think outside every box you've ever known and to make certain changes you never imagined making - and that no doctor is likely to tell you about or even accept. The good news is that those changes are only difficult "mentally". On the real, physical side they are quite easy and even enjoyable. Don't beat yourself up about whether you ate "healthy" or not. What we were taught was healthy in recent decades WASN'T Continue reading >>
