Can Type II transforme to type I ?

[alexandra_caitlin]

Yesterday I watched a very interesting programme on TV and heard this info : that diabetes may go from type II to type I meaning that in time even though at first your pancreas was producing insuline this "production " stops at one time. Is this true ?

[WaveRider]

"This often occurs with people who've had type 2 diabetes for years (a close friend has just had this happen),"

Perhaps your friend can help forum readers by answering the following questions. Many of us are type 2 and many have been for years. Your friends answers will help many. Please pass these questions on and post back asap, or have your friend reply back. Thanks.
1. How many years as type 2?
2. What was thier average fasting glucose levels?
3. Medication - oral and injectable insulin; how much?
4. How did your friend adjust his/her medication?
   4a. Was this under doctors guidance?
5. How did they find out they were going from type 2 to type 1?
   5a. Pancreas insulin test?
   5b. Daily glucose testing?

[Super_sally888]

I understand that people with uncontrolled or long standing type 2 diabetes can progress to "type 1" diabetes where the pancreas can no longer make insulin or no longer make enough insulin (even with drug support to increase insulin production / increase tissue sensitivity to insulin).  This often occurs with people who've had type 2 diabetes for years (a close friend has just had this happen), and when this does (or the pancreas can no longer make enough insulin to control blood sugar) insulin will be required.

[WaveRider]

Your question is beyond my scope and qualifications to answer thoroughly. This is a good question to post on the Ask a Doctor forums next door;
Dr Ramsetty - Diabetes - Adult Type II
Dr Pho - Gastroenterology

Here's what I very briefly know. The pancreas has two tissues;
Endocrine - produces insulin
Exocrine - produces digestive juices

Pancreatic disease(s) may affect the Endocrine making it not produce insulin as in type 1 diabetes. If you have your type 2 diabetes under control and no other issue with your pancreas, would this come into play? Only a doctor can answer this. Perhaps a forum member has had this happen and would enter a thread on their history.