New just Diagnosed with Diabetes 2 question

AlaskaRon

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72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
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I was just diagnosed with diabetes 2 about 3 weeks ago. I have gone down from 277 to 115 average for the last week.

I am wondering if it is normal to feel week and light headed when you drop fast like I have, when I drop under 100 I feel week and light headed? I've been in the 70's and 80's sometimes and not sure if this is normal. When I first started I noticed when I got below 150 it would happen but now since I've been under that for a while it doesn't bother me unless I go under 100.

my doctor said it could take 2 or 3 months to get it down but my change in what I eat has really made a difference.
 

AM1874

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Not much
Hi @ AlaskaRon .. and welcome
I was in a similar position as you when I was diagnosed T2 about 4 weeks ago .. shocked,no real idea of what was happening to me and lots of questions. Since joining this forum, though, the folks here have given me so much info, advice and support that I am now much more confident about the journey ahead. @daisy1 will be along soon with a wealth of information for you

If you are considering testing your BG levels, you may also find the following post useful ...
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/what-to-expect.117018/page-2#post-1399186
Hope this helps
 
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Salvia

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812
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
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Diet only
Hi @AlaskaRon, and welcome to the forum. I'm no medic, but it sounds to me as if it is a reaction to your body gradually adjusting itself to a new norm of lower BS levels, around the 100 mark. You quote the US figures, which I'm not too familiar with, but I read somewhere that if you divide by 18 that is roughly equivalent to the UK measurements. So, 100 divide by 18 = 5.5 which we would regard as a pretty good level to aim for. I found when I started using the LCHF way of eating, that I also had bouts of dizziness or feeling faint, which can be a bit worrying when you don't know what they are. For me, they became less often and passed altogether after a couple of weeks or so. You'll find on the forum that other people have experienced similar symptoms - often referred to as "carb flue", so I think it's sort of normal, or fairly frequent at least. If things don't get better for you, it would probably be a good idea to raise it with your GP or DSN - there may be other reasons for it in your case - coz we're all different.

Just to add: well done on lowering your BS levels - that's a good drop from 277 to 115 in such a short time - I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that's the reason for your dizzy spells. (but it is only a guess).

Good luck, have a good browse around, and don't hesitate to ask any questions; there's usually somebody around who will be glad to help. :)
 
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AlaskaRon

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Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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Not Having Pizza!
Hi @AlaskaRon, and welcome to the forum. I'm no medic, but it sounds to me as if it is a reaction to your body gradually adjusting itself to a new norm of lower BS levels, around the 100 mark. You quote the US figures, which I'm not too familiar with, but I read somewhere that if you divide by 18 that is roughly equivalent to the UK measurements. So, 100 divide by 18 = 5.5 which we would regard as a pretty good level to aim for. I found when I started using the LCHF way of eating, that I also had bouts of dizziness or feeling faint, which can be a bit worrying when you don't know what they are. For me, they became less often and passed altogether after a couple of weeks or so. You'll find on the forum that other people have experienced similar symptoms - often referred to as "carb flue", so I think it's sort of normal, or fairly frequent at least. If things don't get better for you, it would probably be a good idea to raise it with your GP or DSN - there may be other reasons for it in your case - coz we're all different.

Just to add: well done on lowering your BS levels - that's a good drop from 277 to 115 in such a short time - I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that's the reason for your dizzy spells. (but it is only a guess).

Good luck, have a good browse around, and don't hesitate to ask any questions; there's usually somebody around who will be glad to help. :)

Thanks Saliva, thanks and I think you are right, I think 100 is 5.5 which is suppose to be my goal.
 

Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,849
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Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
I did the same thing and had quite severe 'wobblies' but found that just a few grapes eaten slowly would get rid of them for a while. They will stop after a little while, and you might find that you can maintain the lower BG levels but eat a bit more of the low carb foods. Your meter will show you if you can or not.
 

daisy1

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Tablets (oral)
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Cruelty towards animals.
@AlaskaRon

Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope this will help you. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will answer.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why :)
  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 

AlaskaRon

Well-Known Member
Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not Having Pizza!
Thanks for that information. With Glyburide there is a chance of going hypo, so please be careful you don't get too low.

Thanks, I found that out last night, my BS was 60 or 3.3 when I checked it before bed. took a couple sugar pills and had a piece of toast and got it up to 80 or 4.4.
 
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AlaskaRon

Well-Known Member
Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not Having Pizza!
@AlaskaRon

Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope this will help you. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will answer.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why :)
  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.

Thanks for the information Daisy
 

Bluetit1802

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Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
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Thanks, I found that out last night, my BS was 60 or 3.3 when I checked it before bed. took a couple sugar pills and had a piece of toast and got it up to 80 or 4.4.

Good job you tested. You did right to eat. You also need to test before you drive, if you do drive. In the UK it is illegal to drive under 5mmol/l.

Did you feel OK with that 3.3 or did you have any hypo symptoms? What were you when you got up?
 
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AlaskaRon

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Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not Having Pizza!
Thanks, I found that out last night, my BS was 60 or 3.3 when I checked it before bed. took a couple sugar pills and had a piece of toast and got it up to 80 or 4.4.

I have a call into my doctor, I am suppose to double my Metfomen to 1000 twice a day in a couple days.
 
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Bluetit1802

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25,216
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I have a call into my doctor, I am suppose to double my Metfomen to 1000 twice a day in a couple days.

It may be worthwhile sticking to the Metformin and asking about reducing the Glyburide dose.
 

AlaskaRon

Well-Known Member
Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not Having Pizza!
Good job you tested. You did right to eat. You also need to test before you drive, if you do drive. In the UK it is illegal to drive under 5mmol/l.

Did you feel OK with that 3.3 or did you have any hypo symptoms? What were you when you got up?

I was 115 or 6.3 this morning, not until after I realized it was so low LOL
 
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Bluetit1802

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That's good. It means your liver is helping to protect you by sending glucose to your bloodstream when fasting over night..

Take care. :)
 

AlaskaRon

Well-Known Member
Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not Having Pizza!
It may be worthwhile sticking to the Metformin and asking about reducing the Glyburide dose.

That's what I was thinking, I was taking 2 a day until I went under 150 or 8.3. I was wondering if I needed to stop the Glyburide all together but will wait until I talk to my doctor.
 
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AlaskaRon

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Messages
72
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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Not Having Pizza!
Just dropped under 70 or 3.6 again. doctor says to stay on what I am doing and not to make the next increases in meds.

it will be nice when we can get this leveled out. last 7 day average is 105 or 5.8, much better then the 277 or 11.1 I started at 3 weeks ago.
 
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Liam1955

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Freema

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Thanks, I found that out last night, my BS was 60 or 3.3 when I checked it before bed. took a couple sugar pills and had a piece of toast and got it up to 80 or 4.4.

I think your blood glucose seems to get too low at times, so maybe you get too much medicine... think you should phone your GP or nurse for advice
 
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