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Not Lab Rat - Screen Fail

Posted Jul 21 2008 10:12am


I failed one of the screening tests to become a lab rat. It seems as though there is a small problem with me taking part in a study of Type 2 Diabetics. I’m a Type 1. Man you could have knocked me over with a very small feather. I’ve been a Type 2 (At least that’s what they told me) for over 15 years. I asked the educator if it’s possible to switch Types. She said I’m more likely a “Slow 1″ (not to be confused with Sloe gin). It seems that Slow 1’s have very gradual pancreatic damage. But one of the tests they ran is a GAD test (Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) antibody tests - tests forType 1 diabetesantibodies). Type 1 is an auto-immune disease and the presence of these antibodies are a sure indicator that I am a Type 1.

Those Type 1’s who do not like to be associated with Type 2’s are not going to like having me as part of their group. I am so typically a Type 2.

  • I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 43
  • I am overweight
  • I carry the extra weight between my shoulders and my hips

I’m not good for their self-image as being superior to those who could eat right and exercise and get rid of this self-inflicted disease.

Since becoming a Type 1 I don’t feel a bit different than when I was a Type 2. lol I have an appointment with the Educator on Thursday to see about getting started on insulin therapy. Maybe I’ll end up with a pump, anyway. =)

As I was writing this, my Endocrinologist called. He assures me that it is better at this stage in my life to be a Type 1 than a Type 2. Type 1 is much less aggressive and has fewer heart problems associated with it. Beyond that, the chances of my daughter becoming diabetic just dropped from a probability of 80% to 3%. And he assured me, once again, that I am very interesting, medically.

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