Re: HI ALL, I am new and have some questions

[Guest guest]

Hi Lee

Welcome.

Your numbers (both BGS and cholesterol) are better than mine, so hang

around a while so we can learn from you.

It's hard to comment on the lipitor, metformin etc without more

details - and even if we do, remember that we are patients, not

doctors. Well-informed patients, but still patients.

What were the specific details of the " Liver enzimes " that " became

de-ranged " . And also, what is the breakdown of that cholesterol - LDL,

HDL and triglycerides. The total sounds pretty good to me, but the

devil is in those details.

Cheers, Alan, T2 d & e, Australia

> Hi All

>

> Just a little about myself. I found out I had Diabetes (type 2, or

> close to type 1.5?) about 5 months ago. My blood glucose readings at

> that time ranged between 300-400 with a A1c of greater than 14. I am

> 59 years old, 5'.8 " tall about 160 lb

>

> I have come a long ways since then with an average blood glucose of

> 109 and the latest Aic at 5.3. Have done well with Metformin,

> excersize, and low GI diet (about 40%-50% of my diet is carbs)

>

> My Doc is pleased and he is trying to get my Cholestarol under

> control. And HERE is my " BIG QUESTION " . My starting Cholesterol was

> at 170. My Doc thought it was too high and put me on Lipitor. That

> brought my total cholestarol down to 120-130. BUT my Liver enzimes

> became de-ranged. My Doc said that it is " ok, lets monitor your

> liver enzimes and make adjustments as needed "

>

> It seemed to me that a total cholestarol of 170 is acceptable and

> bringing it down at the cost of potential Liver dammage may not be

> acceptable. What do others think? any comments advise would be

> welcome.

>

> I am happy I found this group and am hopping I can help others and

> get some help for myself.

>

> Lee

[Guest guest]

>

> > On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 05:53:53 -0000 " leester118 " <leester10@c...>

> writes:

> > > Hi All

> > >

> Hi Lee, welcome and sorry you have to be here.

>

> > > Just a little about myself. I found out I had Diabetes (type

2, or

> > > close to type 1.5?) about 5 months ago.

>

> Just curious but why do you think you are " close to type 1.5 " ? If

you

> have gotten things under good control with metformin, which is

> specifically a type II drug, and food adjustments (I didn't see

anything

> about exercise) and you have a good HbA1c did I miss something?

>

>

Hi ,

My Doctor told me that I may be type 1.5 because I was not over

weight (160 lb at 5 " 8'). I guess his opinion is that only over

wieght diabetics are type II. I did ask him to conduct a C-peptide

test to check the amount of insulin I was producing. The results

indicated a level of 2.5 (typical range was 1-5). He still thought I

was a 1.5.

As far as exercise I do walk/jog for 2-3 miles about 5 days a week

and do strength training 2 times a week.

Lee

[Guest guest]

>

> > On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 05:53:53 -0000 " leester118 " <leester10@c...>

> writes:

> > > Hi All

> > >

> Hi Lee, welcome and sorry you have to be here.

>

> > > Just a little about myself. I found out I had Diabetes (type

2, or

> > > close to type 1.5?) about 5 months ago.

>

> Just curious but why do you think you are " close to type 1.5 " ? If

you

> have gotten things under good control with metformin, which is

> specifically a type II drug, and food adjustments (I didn't see

anything

> about exercise) and you have a good HbA1c did I miss something?

>

>

Hi ,

My Doctor told me that I may be type 1.5 because I was not over

weight (160 lb at 5 " 8'). I guess his opinion is that only over

wieght diabetics are type II. I did ask him to conduct a C-peptide

test to check the amount of insulin I was producing. The results

indicated a level of 2.5 (typical range was 1-5). He still thought I

was a 1.5.

As far as exercise I do walk/jog for 2-3 miles about 5 days a week

and do strength training 2 times a week.

Lee

[Guest guest]

>

> > On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 05:53:53 -0000 " leester118 " <leester10@c...>

> writes:

> > > Hi All

> > >

> Hi Lee, welcome and sorry you have to be here.

>

> > > Just a little about myself. I found out I had Diabetes (type

2, or

> > > close to type 1.5?) about 5 months ago.

>

> Just curious but why do you think you are " close to type 1.5 " ? If

you

> have gotten things under good control with metformin, which is

> specifically a type II drug, and food adjustments (I didn't see

anything

> about exercise) and you have a good HbA1c did I miss something?

>

>

Hi ,

My Doctor told me that I may be type 1.5 because I was not over

weight (160 lb at 5 " 8'). I guess his opinion is that only over

wieght diabetics are type II. I did ask him to conduct a C-peptide

test to check the amount of insulin I was producing. The results

indicated a level of 2.5 (typical range was 1-5). He still thought I

was a 1.5.

As far as exercise I do walk/jog for 2-3 miles about 5 days a week

and do strength training 2 times a week.

Lee

[Guest guest]

Lee, not all type2 diabetics are overweight when diagnosed. Tho weight

is a factor in diabetes, tied to things like long term insulin

resistance, genes are an even bigger factor.

In Japan, many a small person has been diagnosed with type 2.

A c-peptide of 2.5 would not indicate LADA; however, a GAD anti-body test

would. See if the doctor will go for that test.

Helen

[Guest guest]

Lee, not all type2 diabetics are overweight when diagnosed. Tho weight

is a factor in diabetes, tied to things like long term insulin

resistance, genes are an even bigger factor.

In Japan, many a small person has been diagnosed with type 2.

A c-peptide of 2.5 would not indicate LADA; however, a GAD anti-body test

would. See if the doctor will go for that test.

Helen

[Guest guest]

Lee, not all type2 diabetics are overweight when diagnosed. Tho weight

is a factor in diabetes, tied to things like long term insulin

resistance, genes are an even bigger factor.

In Japan, many a small person has been diagnosed with type 2.

A c-peptide of 2.5 would not indicate LADA; however, a GAD anti-body test

would. See if the doctor will go for that test.

Helen

[Guest guest]

The definitive test to determine whether you're type 1.5/LADA rather

than type 2 is called the GAD antibody test. You should ask to have

that one done. And if in fact you're type 1.5/LADA, it would be better

to start insulin earlier rather than later, for reasons I previously

mentioned.

But your doc is definitely correct -- adult onset diabetes when you're

not overweight is suspicious for LADA. Athough I 'spose there are

overweight LADAs too.

I'm going to paste on a short description of LADA here from my archives

for your edification, smile.

<<

LADA = latent autoimmune diabetes in adults

LADA is a form of autoimmune diabetes that starts in adulthood instead

of childhood. It is nothing more than type I diabetes (IDDM) starting

slowly after the age of 30-35.

In general, LADAs are not overweight, have no family history of NIDDM,

may or may not have a family history of IDDM, do not put on weight at

the time of the diagnosis (as a matter of fact, some of them may even

lose weight at that time), and they tend to have higher BGs from the

beginning.

Doctors may try to control LADA with diet, but within a short period,

from months to a few years, metabolic control fails. BGs start going up,

despite good diet and weight control, and they soon require insulin.

Oral agents may be tried first, but subsequent progress to insulin

dependency may be quite rapid.

The mechanism of DM in LADA is mostly the failure of the beta cells in

the pancreas to secrete insulin.

In the past, some of these patients were considered to have " primary

failures " to oral agents because they did not respond to them or they

respond for a short period of time.

Studies have shown the presence of markers of autoimmunity in LADA

patients. The markers of autoimmunity that can be found in a person with

LADA are the classic islet cell antibodies, or more precisely anti GAD

antibodies, which can be found even more frequently.

15-20% of all diabetic adults may have LADA, and LADA may constitute as

much as 50% of non-obese adult onset diabetes. This form of diabetes is

sometimes known as " Type 1 1/2 " .

LADA patients can be very confusing to doctors who are not aware of this

possibility. The patients with LADA may look exactly the same as

patients with NIDDM, and it becomes frustrating trying to control the

BGs with diet and pills. The doctors may blame the patient for not

following the diet well, or for not taking the pills as they should. The

truth is that the islets of Langerhans are slowly being attacked by the

autoimmune process and stopping their secretion of insulin.

In children, the autoimmune process is more acute and " explosive " with

symptoms presenting over a short period of time and being more severe

(thirst, urination, hunger, decreased weight). In adults, the autoimmune

process that destroys the islets of Langerhans seems to be slower, and

the decline in insulin production appears over several months instead of

several weeks.

As soon as the diagnosis of LADA is made, it is better to start insulin

right away. Putting the beta cells to rest by giving insulin exogenously

and normalizing the BGs is good for the beta cells. It prevents the

exhaustion of the beta cells, and it seems to decrease the autoimmune

attack on the islets.

Vicki, LADA since 1997

Re: HI ALL, I am new and have some questions

>

>>

>> > On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 05:53:53 -0000 " leester118 " <leester10@c...>

>> writes:

>> > > Hi All

>> > >

>> Hi Lee, welcome and sorry you have to be here.

>>

>> > > Just a little about myself. I found out I had Diabetes (type

> 2, or

>> > > close to type 1.5?) about 5 months ago.

>>

>> Just curious but why do you think you are " close to type 1.5 " ? If

> you

>> have gotten things under good control with metformin, which is

>> specifically a type II drug, and food adjustments (I didn't see

> anything

>> about exercise) and you have a good HbA1c did I miss something?

>>

>>

>

> Hi ,

>

> My Doctor told me that I may be type 1.5 because I was not over

> weight (160 lb at 5 " 8'). I guess his opinion is that only over

> wieght diabetics are type II. I did ask him to conduct a C-peptide

> test to check the amount of insulin I was producing. The results

> indicated a level of 2.5 (typical range was 1-5). He still thought I

> was a 1.5.

>

> As far as exercise I do walk/jog for 2-3 miles about 5 days a week

> and do strength training 2 times a week.

>

> Lee

>

[Guest guest]

The definitive test to determine whether you're type 1.5/LADA rather

than type 2 is called the GAD antibody test. You should ask to have

that one done. And if in fact you're type 1.5/LADA, it would be better

to start insulin earlier rather than later, for reasons I previously

mentioned.

But your doc is definitely correct -- adult onset diabetes when you're

not overweight is suspicious for LADA. Athough I 'spose there are

overweight LADAs too.

I'm going to paste on a short description of LADA here from my archives

for your edification, smile.

<<

LADA = latent autoimmune diabetes in adults

LADA is a form of autoimmune diabetes that starts in adulthood instead

of childhood. It is nothing more than type I diabetes (IDDM) starting

slowly after the age of 30-35.

In general, LADAs are not overweight, have no family history of NIDDM,

may or may not have a family history of IDDM, do not put on weight at

the time of the diagnosis (as a matter of fact, some of them may even

lose weight at that time), and they tend to have higher BGs from the

beginning.

Doctors may try to control LADA with diet, but within a short period,

from months to a few years, metabolic control fails. BGs start going up,

despite good diet and weight control, and they soon require insulin.

Oral agents may be tried first, but subsequent progress to insulin

dependency may be quite rapid.

The mechanism of DM in LADA is mostly the failure of the beta cells in

the pancreas to secrete insulin.

In the past, some of these patients were considered to have " primary

failures " to oral agents because they did not respond to them or they

respond for a short period of time.

Studies have shown the presence of markers of autoimmunity in LADA

patients. The markers of autoimmunity that can be found in a person with

LADA are the classic islet cell antibodies, or more precisely anti GAD

antibodies, which can be found even more frequently.

15-20% of all diabetic adults may have LADA, and LADA may constitute as

much as 50% of non-obese adult onset diabetes. This form of diabetes is

sometimes known as " Type 1 1/2 " .

LADA patients can be very confusing to doctors who are not aware of this

possibility. The patients with LADA may look exactly the same as

patients with NIDDM, and it becomes frustrating trying to control the

BGs with diet and pills. The doctors may blame the patient for not

following the diet well, or for not taking the pills as they should. The

truth is that the islets of Langerhans are slowly being attacked by the

autoimmune process and stopping their secretion of insulin.

In children, the autoimmune process is more acute and " explosive " with

symptoms presenting over a short period of time and being more severe

(thirst, urination, hunger, decreased weight). In adults, the autoimmune

process that destroys the islets of Langerhans seems to be slower, and

the decline in insulin production appears over several months instead of

several weeks.

As soon as the diagnosis of LADA is made, it is better to start insulin

right away. Putting the beta cells to rest by giving insulin exogenously

and normalizing the BGs is good for the beta cells. It prevents the

exhaustion of the beta cells, and it seems to decrease the autoimmune

attack on the islets.

Vicki, LADA since 1997

Re: HI ALL, I am new and have some questions

>

>>

>> > On Sun, 11 Sep 2005 05:53:53 -0000 " leester118 " <leester10@c...>

>> writes:

>> > > Hi All

>> > >

>> Hi Lee, welcome and sorry you have to be here.

>>

>> > > Just a little about myself. I found out I had Diabetes (type

> 2, or

>> > > close to type 1.5?) about 5 months ago.

>>

>> Just curious but why do you think you are " close to type 1.5 " ? If

> you

>> have gotten things under good control with metformin, which is

>> specifically a type II drug, and food adjustments (I didn't see

> anything

>> about exercise) and you have a good HbA1c did I miss something?

>>

>>

>

> Hi ,

>

> My Doctor told me that I may be type 1.5 because I was not over

> weight (160 lb at 5 " 8'). I guess his opinion is that only over

> wieght diabetics are type II. I did ask him to conduct a C-peptide

> test to check the amount of insulin I was producing. The results

> indicated a level of 2.5 (typical range was 1-5). He still thought I

> was a 1.5.

>

> As far as exercise I do walk/jog for 2-3 miles about 5 days a week

> and do strength training 2 times a week.

>

> Lee

>