LOW CARB SUCCESS STORIES

[belmont97]

Low carb diet. My Hba1c was 45 in July this year. The GP I see said I was not diabetic but he referred me to the doctor in the practice who specialises in diabetes. My fasting bg were 6.8 and 7. I am 6foot 3 inches tall and at the time of the tests weighed 15 stone. I saw Dr Briffa who advised cutting out carbs so no porridge, which until then was my staple breakfast, no bread, again a staple as I baked my own! No rice, pasta etc. that was end August. Since then weight has come down to 13stone 10 lbs. I bought an Aviva tester and since then my bg have ranged from 4.7 to 7. The latter was due to a week in France when breakfast was nearly always croissant and bread! If I get a "6" it is usually 6.1 or slightly higher if I have been naughty and eaten carbs. I have cut back on booze with no beer and wine only if it is a special occasion.. The doctor wanted to put me on Metformin but I decided to try diet. I have not been able to exercise till very recently due to an operation but I am now using a rowing machine and cycling.
Dr Briffa advised me to test just before lunch rather than when I get up.
The low carb diet seems to be working for me but I have a blood test at the surgery next week so will be interesting g to see the Hba1c result.
One thing I want to try is to see if there are some carbs I can eat which don't affect the blood test.

UPDATE. My Hba1c figure at end October was 38 so the diet and exercise is working. Had a consultation with Dr ****** who is a specialist in diabetes at Chertsey. My weight is now at 12stone 12 pounds and until I had an operation last week was exercising on bike and rowing machine three times a week. Dr ****** has advised blood testing at different times a day so first day before breakfast, second day after breakfast then before and after lunch etc. discussed Metformin but not there yet.

Name of Dr. removed by Moderator.

 

[vit90]

UPDATE. My Hba1c figure at end October was 38 so the diet and exercise is working. Had a consultation with Dr ****** who is a specialist in diabetes at Chertsey. My weight is now at 12stone 12 pounds and until I had an operation last week was exercising on bike and rowing machine three times a week. Dr ****** has advised blood testing at different times a day so first day before breakfast, second day after breakfast then before and after lunch etc. discussed Metformin but not there yet.

Have I missed something? Your HbA1c of 38 is at a level for most T2s to dream of and your doctor wants you to go onto medication?

 

[moric159lucas]

I have type 2 diabetes and only found out 2 months ago. since then i have followed a low carb diet so far i have lost 1st 1lb and my sugar level has gone from 27.5 / 33 to between 5.9 and 8.9 so i am really pleased and real so much better in myself. I am still learning as not really been told much on what i should and should not eat and have been told so many different things from other with type 2 and 1 so thought cut down my carbs as they are hidden sugars

 

[Susiespearish]

UPDATE. My Hba1c figure at end October was 38 so the diet and exercise is working. Had a consultation with Dr ****** who is a specialist in diabetes at Chertsey. My weight is now at 12stone 12 pounds and until I had an operation last week was exercising on bike and rowing machine three times a week. Dr ****** has advised blood testing at different times a day so first day before breakfast, second day after breakfast then before and after lunch etc. discussed Metformin but not there yet.

Do you even have diabetes because all of your levels are perfectly normal for a non diabetic .

 

[paulins]

Update!

Latest HbA1c 4.4.
Was size 20/22 now size 10
Lost 123lbs
Run 6k almost every day.
Have been removed from the diabetes register, though advised to have annual checks.
Told need to be careful as have low threshold.
Now in maintenance.
Well worth it folks. Good luck!

 

[belmont97]

Had a fasting blood test today so will be interesting to see the results which I will get next week. I have been a little more relaxed about the carbs following a session with the nutritionist recommended by the diabetic consultant. Certainly find that a long bike ride reduces the blood sugar count even when I eat flapjack, cereal bars etc during the ride.

 

[moric159lucas]

Do you even have diabetes because all of your levels are perfectly normal for a non diabetic .

According to fasting blood test yes and the test also x

 

[paulins]

Have been experimenting with spelt flour. Make bread, and buy spelt pasta - spaghetti, tagliatelle, quills - buy spelt biscuits for cheese, rice. No impact on my blood sugar levels. Pleased as I love bread in particular. Next experiment - different kinds of potatoes. I don't eat anything with sugar - only berries. I eat low fat - this is to keep calorie intake under control and I monitor portions as I put weight on so easily and I am determined to keep off all the weight I have lost.

I have arranged to speak to the nutritionist at our doctors' surgery, and am also going to have a session with a trainer to understand how to make best use of my exercise. After years on blood pressure medication have now been told my BP is a bit low! Cholesterol was 5 without medication so GP wanted me to take meds and it came down to 4. Genetic apparently.

Good luck everyone.

 

[Sharon1962]

I would just like to no what are the good cabs and what are the bad 1s it's driving me mad Don't matter what I eat it goes up I'm type 2 for 23 years been on insulin 3 weeks I'm not worried about my weight I only weigh 8 stone all this eating low carbs it driving me nuts need some 1 to give a list on what is low carbs and what are the high 1s ..

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

I would just like to no what are the good cabs and what are the bad 1s it's driving me mad Don't matter what I eat it goes up I'm type 2 for 23 years been on insulin 3 weeks I'm not worried about my weight I only weigh 8 stone all this eating low carbs it driving me nuts need some 1 to give a list on what is low carbs and what are the high 1s ..

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/what-are-carbs.75640/

 

[steflosco36]

Hi everyone - I am pretty new to the forum.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 in April - and my GP put me on Metformin. Since then I have lost 12lbs on the LCHF diet. My GP actually reccomended the LCHF diet and is happy with my progress, she also told me that she isn't expecting my colesterol to go down very much in the first few months, but she thinks that by staying on this diet, I probably won't end up on statins (thank god). The first week for me was really hard, because my family are Italian, so I ate many, many carby foods and never had any energy afterwards. Diabetes runs in my family, my mum is type 1 and has been for 40 years, my grandfather and great grandmother were also type 2's and my older brother was diagnosed last year.

I now cook many things in butter, I use lots of double cream, I leave the fat on meat and eat lots of cheese, have always used olive oil, I don't count calories and have been able to get lots of information by reading other members posts on this awesome site! My BG, before I started the LCHF diet was usually around 7.5 before meals and around 11 - 14 two hours after. Now they are usually between 4.8 and 6 after meals, I have not felt so energetic since I don't remember when (my GP suspects that I have been diabetic for around 3-5 years but I would always chicken out of the tests). One other thing I should point out, I also stopped smoking 3 weeks ago and moved onto vaping and in the past if I have tried to stop, I always put huge amounts of weight on, but on the LCHF diet I have managed to lose it instead!

To quote my GP, "I truly think that the NHS are trying to kill people off, by making them stick the diet they advocate". She is also one of those that thinks all Types should have testing sticks for free so that you know what foods work best for you.

Sorry for going on - I just think that the LCHF is an awesome way to lose weight, control BG and give so much more energy than eating carb rich diets - I wish I had known about it before now!

 

[vit90]

Hi everyone - I am pretty new to the forum.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 in April - and my GP put me on Metformin. Since then I have lost 12lbs on the LCHF diet. My GP actually reccomended the LCHF diet and is happy with my progress, she also told me that she isn't expecting my colesterol to go down very much in the first few months, but she thinks that by staying on this diet, I probably won't end up on statins (thank god). The first week for me was really hard, because my family are Italian, so I ate many, many carby foods and never had any energy afterwards. Diabetes runs in my family, my mum is type 1 and has been for 40 years, my grandfather and great grandmother were also type 2's and my older brother was diagnosed last year.

I now cook many things in butter, I use lots of double cream, I leave the fat on meat and eat lots of cheese, have always used olive oil, I don't count calories and have been able to get lots of information by reading other members posts on this awesome site! My BG, before I started the LCHF diet was usually around 7.5 before meals and around 11 - 14 two hours after. Now they are usually between 4.8 and 6 after meals, I have not felt so energetic since I don't remember when (my GP suspects that I have been diabetic for around 3-5 years but I would always chicken out of the tests). One other thing I should point out, I also stopped smoking 3 weeks ago and moved onto vaping and in the past if I have tried to stop, I always put huge amounts of weight on, but on the LCHF diet I have managed to lose it instead!

To quote my GP, "I truly think that the NHS are trying to kill people off, by making them stick the diet they advocate". She is also one of those that thinks all Types should have testing sticks for free so that you know what foods work best for you.

Sorry for going on - I just think that the LCHF is an awesome way to lose weight, control BG and give so much more energy than eating carb rich diets - I wish I had known about it before now!

You have an enlightened doctor!

 

[steflosco36]

I just hope she never leaves from what I have read about some GP's on here!

 

[Suercc]

I am one very happy bunny. January my diabetes went out of whack. Sky high readings. 11 %, thereafter strong meds which drive it down too fast leaving me groggy with reactive hypoglycaemia.
After some research I found the Lchf approach to managing diabetes, the advice which used to be given to diabetics back in the day and is now practiced in Sweden. It is not Atkins as it isn't high protein.
Most energy in the diet comes from fat, modest protein and very limited carbs.
This condemns me to a life of bacon, butter, cheese and double cream, avocado dark chocolate etc.
lost lots of weight and never feel hungry or deprived.
Been to see GP after three months 'to see how I got on.' Here are the results.
HbA1C 5.6 (38)
LDL (bad) cholesterol is down to normal
HDL (good) cholesterol is up and above the floor limit
Triglycerides are normal too.
I have been taken off the sulphonylureas as my control is so good.
I am my own case study. Now convinced, as are many others,current NHS for type two diabetics is wrong.
This is my future now
# I believe I can fry

 

[Brunneria]

I am one very happy bunny. January my diabetes went out of whack. Sky high readings. 11 %, thereafter strong meds which drive it down too fast leaving me groggy with reactive hypoglycaemia.
After some research I found the Lchf approach to managing diabetes, the advice which used to be given to diabetics back in the day and is now practiced in Sweden. It is not Atkins as it isn't high protein.
Most energy in the diet comes from fat, modest protein and very limited carbs.
This condemns me to a life of bacon, butter, cheese and double cream, avocado dark chocolate etc.
lost lots of weight and never feel hungry or deprived.
Been to see GP after three months 'to see how I got on.' Here are the results.
HbA1C 5.6 (38)
LDL (bad) cholesterol is down to normal
HDL (good) cholesterol is up and above the floor limit
Triglycerides are normal too.
I have been taken off the sulphonylureas as my control is so good.
I am my own case study. Now convinced, as are many others,current NHS for type two diabetics is wrong.
This is my future now
# I believe I can fry

WELL DONE!

 

[Shelly69]

Just been for my results 69 in December and 37 today I am so happy, have been able to stop Glicizide today, just on low dose of metformin, doctor wants me around 50 can't win hey? I can't stop smiling, low carb is fantastic!

 

[Suercc]

This is really good news isn't it? Well done !!!
Wish this stuff was more widely promoted.

 

[Shelly69]

Thanks so much, I am so happy with my efforts Have a great day!

 

[Tm6t7]

@Shelly69 Well done, you're just down the road from me, glad the LCHF has worked so well for you, I am a newbie but have embraced this new life style and hope to head in the same direction as you

 

[yvonne49]

After my diagnosis in May last year when my Hba1c was 12 %,I read all I could about reversing diabetes and improving your numbers.I was told I needed metformin but I refused because I was determined to do it without drugs or at least try.I found the quickest way to reduce my blood glucose was the LCHF diet and exercise.After just 3 months my HBa1c was at 5.8% and my fasting was down from 18.8 to late 5s/early 6's.It is the only diet that seems to work for me.
I did a bit of experimenting with carbs in the last few months but I still spiked too much.Not to my initial high numbers but too high if I want to avoid complications and stay off drugs.Also my toes start to get numb and tingly again and I get some fungal skin infections when I increase my carb intake .When I keep strictly to 30-50g of carbs my symptoms start disappearing.
I have lost a lot of weight and look forward to losing my last stone and a half.Hopefully when I get tested in September my Hba1c will be 5.5% or less