Any Type I Diabetics Out There?

[audone]

Hi - I am new to this site. Had a positive blood test about 5 weeks ago and will have GI biopsy April 15th. I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when I was 17 (am now 31). When I started the gluten-free diet, it was hard but manageable. Now 5 weeks in, my blood sugar has been crazy! I have tried to cut out all carbs but am having trouble doing this and feeling full. I'm just wondering if anyone has had this happen and what I should do.

[psawyer]

Welcome to the board.

I, too, am a type 1 diabetic. There are a number of others here.

Many gluten-free foods which are substitutes for "ordinary" foods are higher in fat and carbohydrate and lower in fiber.

But what I found most significant was that after I went on a gluten-free diet, my intestines began to heal. As they healed, my ability to absorb nutrients, especially carbohydrates, increased. Over a period of a few weeks, my dosage of fast acting insulin had to be increased dramatically. Over a three-month period it more than doubled. Over a six month period, I gained back fifty of the seventy pounds that I had lost due to malabsorption.

Managing the combination of diabetes and celiac disease is a challenge. Keep this in mind: when the diets appear to be in conflict, the gluten-free diet MUST prevail. A small amount of extra carbohydrate will do far, far less harm to your body than any amount of gluten.

I would not try to cut carbs out completely. You must match carb content to insulin, and insulin gets harder to manage as levels get lower. The no-carb diet is fine for a type 2 diabetic who is controlled solely via diet, but is dangerous for someone on insulin. If you cut things too tight, severe hypoglycemic reactions are possible. I have been there--I don't wish it on anyone else.

You will find much support and information here.

[missy'smom]

You may want to check out Dr. Richard Bernstein and his book Diabetes Solution. He follows and teaches his own specialized low-carb diet for the management of diabetes. He's a remarkable man who interestingly, was diagnosed with celiac disease when young, and had type 1 from an early age. He was developing complications and set out to find a better way, and found it. He became a doctor and specializes in diabetes. He has led a very long, healthy life. He was one of, if not the first man to use the first meter. The diet is very compatible with being gluten-free. There is a forum set up to support those who follow his methods and he broadcasts a live teleconference once a month to answer questions that are sent in.

[ranger]

I'm not type I, but am a typeII. This probably wouldn't apply to you, but a strange thing happened to my BS on my way to becoming gluten free. My last AIC before I want gluten-free, was 13.5 I was prescribed Glyburide, and my DOC was talking insulin. After 1 month on the gluten-free diet, my next AIC had gone down to 8 on half the meds. I am due for another soon, but after only 3 months of being on the gluten-free diet, my fasting bs readings are in the 70 to 100 range! If I eat too much gluten-free bread, it makes it rise, but I eat a good amount of other carbs with no problem. And, I eat something sweet every day. I cannot explain this, but the Numbers do not lie. So, I am not only regaining my health, but my diabetes seems to be going away! I DO NOT MISS WHEAT!

[missy'smom]

That's great that you're seeing such an improvement ranger.

Being gluten-free trained me to read labels, call manufacturerers for info. and learn to cook and eat pure, simple foods which helps me manage diabetes now.