Most GPs/Diabetic Nurses tell their patients that T2 diabetes is always a progressive illness that will inevitably lead to insulin injections - but there are schools of thought (especially more recently) saying that strict early control may put off the fateful day for a long time, if not indefinitely.
I can't seem to find much info on the proportion of patients that retain good control for an extended period without using insulin (or pancreatic-stimulating drugs) - anyone?
It is a year since I started using a OneTouch Ultra meter and recently started using the free software and adapter that goes with it. Here's the results of the last year, 370 readings in total:
The results of the last 12 months:
Glucose average: 4.8
in target :98%
standard deviation : 0.5
The results of the first 3 months:
Glucose average: 4.8
in target :96%
standard deviation : 0.5
The results of the most recent 3 months:
Glucose average: 4.8
in target :100%
standard deviation : 0.4
And finally, the results of the last month:
Glucose average: 4.8
in target :100%
standard deviation : 0.4
The default targets that the software sets were rather high, I felt, so the parameters it is using now are:
before meal : 3.5 - 5.5
after meal : 3.5 - 6.5
Hypo : 3.4
No signs of deterioration there; slightly the reverse - but I've lost over 7 stone in weight since diagnosis; however have cut my Met down to 2 x 250mg a few months ago. Those two factors may have skewed the results a bit, but my weight is now pretty stable (maybe anther half-stone to lose)and I have no plans to change the meds, so from now on, I should be able to see any signs of progression.
While I don't want to mentally/emotionally store up future trouble, neither do I want to view the future through unwarranted rose-tinted glasses, hence my interest in what proportion of well-controlled people can stay that way with no more than modest doses of met, coupled with sensible low-carb diet and reasonable exercise. What are we looking at; 3 years, 5, 15??
Mark
I can't seem to find much info on the proportion of patients that retain good control for an extended period without using insulin (or pancreatic-stimulating drugs) - anyone?
It is a year since I started using a OneTouch Ultra meter and recently started using the free software and adapter that goes with it. Here's the results of the last year, 370 readings in total:
The results of the last 12 months:
Glucose average: 4.8
in target :98%
standard deviation : 0.5
The results of the first 3 months:
Glucose average: 4.8
in target :96%
standard deviation : 0.5
The results of the most recent 3 months:
Glucose average: 4.8
in target :100%
standard deviation : 0.4
And finally, the results of the last month:
Glucose average: 4.8
in target :100%
standard deviation : 0.4
The default targets that the software sets were rather high, I felt, so the parameters it is using now are:
before meal : 3.5 - 5.5
after meal : 3.5 - 6.5
Hypo : 3.4
No signs of deterioration there; slightly the reverse - but I've lost over 7 stone in weight since diagnosis; however have cut my Met down to 2 x 250mg a few months ago. Those two factors may have skewed the results a bit, but my weight is now pretty stable (maybe anther half-stone to lose)and I have no plans to change the meds, so from now on, I should be able to see any signs of progression.
While I don't want to mentally/emotionally store up future trouble, neither do I want to view the future through unwarranted rose-tinted glasses, hence my interest in what proportion of well-controlled people can stay that way with no more than modest doses of met, coupled with sensible low-carb diet and reasonable exercise. What are we looking at; 3 years, 5, 15??
Mark