Type tool

I seem to have what I am sure is a simple problem but is causing me grief..I select the type tool. I proceed to type..The actual type in the document is so small that it is almost invisible. I then have to enter it and use CTRL T to enlarge it to something I can read. This happens no matter what point size I have in the box. Surely if I have a point size entered then when typing from new the type should show at that size but it doesn't. It reverts back to some ridiculously small size. I have looked in preferences but can find nothing to help.