Am I Diabetic?

[BobHewitt]

I was diagnosed as having T2D end of April 2016 as my blood glucose was 6.7%. I had been warned that I was pre-diabetic before that but we still celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary in Barbados early March 2016. This was all-inclusive so the alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails were being well sampled! Having been given the 6.7% reading I was put on Metformin 2 x 500mg (after one week at 1 x 500mg). In July my next HbA1C blood test was 5.9% and the Metformin was reduced to 1 x 500mg. I have just had my next HbA1C test and the result is 41 (new system of measurement) which I believe is the same 5.9%.
I have lost 2 stone in weight which I believe is due to a low-carb diet and smaller portions rather than the medication. My surgery have just told me the result is "Normal". I assume I am doing OK but wondered if the medication was necessary and should I seek an appointment at the Surgery. I have also been on the X-Pert 6 week diabetic course.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

An Hba1c of 41 is below the pre diabetic range and is one point inside the normal range. Your medication is for you to decide with your doctor's approval.

 

[NoCrbs4Me]

I'd discuss it at your next appointment. You could suggest discontinuing the metformin and see what your HbA1c is after that (some people see a significant rise in HbA1c after discontinuing metformin). All drugs have side effects, so I think it's better not to be on meds if possible. I stopped metformin when I went to get a new prescription (I needed one because I had switched doctors). The new doctor looked at my labs and said I should stop them and that diet usually makes much more difference in blood glucose levels than metformin.

 

[BobHewitt]

Do you use glucose meter? If so, are your fasting blood sugars also normal range <6.1? As I understand Metformin also helps with morning blood sugars, and a hba1c will not pick that up.

No meter used here. Surgery and X-Pert course tutor told me not to bother getting one.

 

[NoCrbs4Me]

No meter used here. Surgery and X-Pert course tutor told me not to bother getting one.

Can you afford one? It might be worth doing some self-testing.

 

[amber22]

Just like to say that my surgery calls an HbA1c result normal if it is under 6.5%.
That's what they say over the phone and that's what is on the print out of results.

 

[BobHewitt]

My doctor told me not to get one.... but at the end of the day, what you can't see, you can't fix, leaving you basically blind. With testing before and after meals you can start to understand how your body reacts to carbs and what limits to set for each meal, and when to add exercise to help with insulin resistance. It's also helpful to be able to see the changes over the days and months.

I have only had one finger test given to me at an eye hospital as I had a period of double vision. The result at about 10:00 am was 8.1 and I thought that was higher than expected and was told that I had just had my breakfast so it would be high. I left a little confused and as stated before the X-Pert course asked who had a meter and those that had one were clearly told that they had wasted their money. I guess it's all about personal choice.

 

[Squire Fulwood]

I guess it's all about personal choice.

Yes it is, and buy a meter otherwise the choice is with the people who do not wish you to know what is happening to your body.

 

[Jaylee]

I have only had one finger test given to me at an eye hospital as I had a period of double vision. The result at about 10:00 am was 8.1 and I thought that was higher than expected and was told that I had just had my breakfast so it would be high. I left a little confused and as stated before the X-Pert course asked who had a meter and those that had one were clearly told that they had wasted their money. I guess it's all about personal choice.

Hi,

Meters... "Personal choice"... I see it like driving a car without a speedo? How can one avoid those costly speeding fines & endorsements without one..

 

[Liam1955]

Hi @BobHewitt - The SD Codefree Blood Glucose Meter is used by a lot of forum members as the Test Strips are the cheapest to buy. And if bought in bulk they work out even cheaper. Here is the link:
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring
State you are Diabetic for exemption of vat. And here in the UK we use mmol/L

 

[Freema]

it is insane that type 2 diabetics are told not themselves to have an idea of where their blood glucose numbers are... totally insane when everyone know how many gets amputations go blind have neuropathy and Diabetic Gustatory Sweating and many other sideeffects of the illness and medications , it is insane when it comes to the load of suffering in the years people are alive in the end of their lives with type 2 diabetes, and also when seen how much earlier those people without control die compared to non diabetics in general