Not sure if I'm type 1 or 2 Diabetic!!!

I am in the process for the RNY.  My concern is Diabetes.  When I turned 30 I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes ('98).  12/26/01   I ended up in ICU with KETOACIDOSIS. (TO THIS DAY MY SIS IN LAW AND i LAUGH BECAUSE i THOUGHT i GOT FOOD POISONING FROM EATING HER HAM ON CHRISTMAS), well it turned out to be Ketoacidosis and almost died from it. So then I was labeled a type 1 Diabetic. Put on an insulin pump  May 2004 (after 2 miscarriages).  So in April I told my Endo that I was pursueing the RNY and he blurts out to me " that he can't say for certain....100% if I am a type 1 Diabetic! WTF So I am confused to say the least. So I am not sure if this surgery will help me with the Diabetes............. Anybody else out there with this concern???   ~Jackie

First and foremost, I'm sorry you had such a scary experience! Glad you are okay now.

Ketoacidosis does not mean you are a type 1. It can happen to type 2s, too--not as commonly, but NOT impossible or unheard of. Also, it is possible to have BOTH type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

If your doctor can't figure out what type of diabetes you have, I suggest seeing an endocrinologist. I really think it needs to be sorted out prior to surgery so they know exactly what to look for. RNY can send Type 2 into remission, but Type 1 is incurable (though many see a reduced amount of insulin required after surgery).

Thank you, you have helped me alot.  I heard that there is a test or something that  can tell me if I'm type 1 or 2. 

I am interested in the name of that test as well.  Here in Canada, no one has ever mentioned any such thing, but I did read that someone on this forum had been tested to see if she was Type I or Type 2.  I would be anxious to know the name of that test because I had RNY three weeks ago and my bs is still high and climbing.  They started me on metformin, but this seems all too familiar to me - first one metformin, then two, then four, then add (insert name of diabetic drug here - seems I've been on all of them) and then let's try a little bit of insulin (which turns into 5 shots a day and 120 units).  So, needless to say I'm a little discourage, and if there's a test to determine whether I'm type 1 or type 2, then I want it.
L.

What you need to be tested for is to see if your body is making any of its own insulin. A Type 1 does not produce insulin, which is what causes the diabetes, whereas a Type 2 DOES produce insulin, but the cells do not use the insulin properly (insulin resistance). It is also possible to start out as a type 2 and, after years of being type 2, your pancreas ceases to produce insulin on its own anymore, and voila! you are now both type 1 and type 2.

Here is something I just found online:
* C-peptide: If other tests fail to indicate the type of diabetes, a C-peptide test can reveal how much insulin the person is producing. C-peptide is half of the precursor molecule to insulin that is split off when insulin is produced by the body. If C-peptide is normal or high, Type 2 diabetes is likely. If the level is significantly low, Type 1 diabetes is likely. If the level is near normal but low, the results are inconclusive. This person may have early Type 1, Type 1.5, or long-term Type 2. When external insulin is controlling the blood sugar, the C-peptide may read low due to suppression of insulin production by the beta cells. This test should be done after insulin has been reduced or discontinued, and the blood sugar has risen to 200 mg/dl or over.

High uric acid can also be an indication of Type 2 (mine was high at diagnosis, but has since come down along with my a1c).

I just wanted to update everyone....  My surgery is scheduled for Dec. 17th....YAY