New to Type2.

[billiz]

just got the news 2 days ago that i am diabetic now.

 

[Maggie/Magpie]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Only been diagnosed my self about 8 weeks. Keep reading this forum you will learn a lot. Also ask as many questions you like, everyone on here is friendly and supportive. If I knew how to I would share Daisy1 with you but I'm sure someone else will do that, she will give you some information about the condition that is given to everyone to get you started. Please don't get disheartened that no one else has picked up this thread it's probably because you gave so little information in your post. Have you been placed on medication or left to control things through diet and exercise alone?
Good luck with everything
Maggie

 

[Hiitsme]

Hi and welcome @billiz
I will tag @daisy1 for her helpful guide for newcomers.
I found reducing carbs and walking really helped. Plenty on this site and there will be a link to the low carb program in Daisy's post. Ask questions and we will try and help. There is a lot to take in but try and take it slowly.

@Maggie/Magpie - just type @ and immediately after the name - no spaces.

 

[Freema]

billiz welcome

 

[leslie10152]

just got the news 2 days ago that i am diabetic now.

It's not the end of the world. You are not alone. Are you taking oral meds?

 

[billiz]

Thanks leslie. Yes zicron tab

 

[pleinster]

just got the news 2 days ago that i am diabetic now.

Hi. Don't hesitate to ask a question by starting a new thread in the appropriate forum. Look around and decide which ones are suited to you. If you give us a bit more info about yourself (eg. diet and general health) we can offer advice (or at least opinions) that will be of use to you. My advice is to develop an approach to inform you as to your own situation. I suggest getting a self testing meter (if you don't have one), taking readings before and 2.5 hours after eating (note that these levels should be fairly similar if you are eating the right foods..check the figures you should aim for on the material @daisy1 will provide. Her information is essential reading for you. Also, record those readings and what you eat so you can see patterns emerge. I have no doubt at all that cutting your carbohydrate content will lower you levels. Read the threads and get informed..that's what will put you in control. Good luck.

 

[daisy1]

@billiz

Hello Billiz and welcome to the forum Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. This contains a lot of advice on carbs and levels and a link to the Low Carb Program which you could try if you want. It would be nice to hear a bit about you so we can help if you need it. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.


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 220,000 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.

 

[Tabbyjoolz]

Hi Billiz, and welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry I didn't see your post sooner. You've probably had a torturous week fretting and blaming yourself. Please be assured that there is light at the end of the tunnel and loads of ways you can slow the progression of T2D.

There is masses of support and good advice on these forums, so ask anything you like.

 

[Liam1955]

Hello @billiz and Welcome to the Forum . Some of us on here are very knowledgeable about Diabetes. So, no matter how trivial you may think a problem is? Just share it and someone will be able to help.

 

[billiz]

Hi. Don't hesitate to ask a question by starting a new thread in the appropriate forum. Look around and decide which ones are suited to you. If you give us a bit more info about yourself (eg. diet and general health) we can offer advice (or at least opinions) that will be of use to you. My advice is to develop an approach to inform you as to your own situation. I suggest getting a self testing meter (if you don't have one), taking readings before and 2.5 hours after eating (note that these levels should be fairly similar if you are eating the right foods..check the figures you should aim for on the material @daisy1 will provide. Her information is essential reading for you. Also, record those readings and what you eat so you can see patterns emerge. I have no doubt at all that cutting your carbohydrate content will lower you levels. Read the threads and get informed..that's what will put you in control. Good luck.

Thank u very much. Asked my GP for meter will pickup on monday

 

[billiz]

@billiz

Hello Billiz and welcome to the forum Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. This contains a lot of advice on carbs and levels and a link to the Low Carb Program which you could try if you want. It would be nice to hear a bit about you so we can help if you need it. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.


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 220,000 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.

Thanks daisy1 for very helpful info

 

[billiz]

Hello @billiz and Welcome to the Forum . Some of us on here are very knowledgeable about Diabetes. So, no matter how trivial you may think a problem is? Just share it and someone will be able to help.

Thanks liam1955