Not new newbie

[JosiesMum]

Hi everyone
I was diagnosed a couple of years ago as I was experiencing pain and tingling in my feet. As a result of what I now know was neuropathy, i had a glucose tolerance test with a result of 11.1 m/mol. So 0.1 over the threshold for type 2. I attended an X-pert course and was quite good (food wise) for a while but gradually went back to my old ways. It was just easier with the family.

Anyway fast forward a couple of years to now and I am suddenly feeling very drowsy in the middle of the day on several occasions. I dig out my old meter, grab some test strips off my Dad, (Whose insulin dependent type 2) and start testing again.

I go and see my doctor who is happy to support testing my blood with a view to monitoring lifestyle changes (for the time being anyway). And I start carb counting. I found a cool phone app that allows you to log it all and see the results in graph format. My question is this, with the results I am currently getting, and my family history, is it inevitable that I am going to end up on medication? Obviously I know I can improve the diet my going lower carb than I am at the moment. Also does anyone know at what point the doctors start mentioning Metformin? Am I at that point yet? I don't know my Hba1c off hand but from memory it was in the 'ok' category. But that was a while ago.

My dad is insulin dependent, so was his father (my Grandad). My brother (2 years older) is insulin dependent. Both me and my sister had gestational diabetes with our children ( I was injecting a phenomenal amount of insulin at the end of my pregnancy).

Please see the results i am getting on the pics

Many thanks for the input.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @JosiesMum ,

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like your clued up on what's what!
Testing on waking, prior to eating, two hours later, & bed time will build a picture of what's happening?

Tagging in @daisy1 @AM1874 with some great info.

More members will be along soon...

 

[JosiesMum]

My waking BG are interesting in particular ranging from 7.3-8.4 over the last couple of weeks. They're a tad high aren't they?

 

[daisy1]

@JosiesMum

Hello JosiesMum and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope it will be useful to you. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

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 245,000 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.

 

[Alison Campbell]

I don't think anyone can predict if medication will be needed in the future.

Here is the Nice guidelines on medication for type 2
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng...in-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-pdf-2185604173

 

[AM1874]

Hi @JosiesMum .. and welcome
Well .. you certainly seem to be on top of things and you have made a good move coming here. Since joining this forum, the folks here have given me so much info, advice and support that I am now much more confident about the journey ahead. So ask your questions and be assured that you will receive the answers that you need. It can all seem uphill to start with but, in my experience, it gets easier .. very quickly.

The key point to take on board is that managing and controlling your diabetes (or pre-diabetes) through exercise, diet and testing your Blood Glucose seems to be the best way forward for many people. For me, committing to an LCHF (Low Carb High Fat) lifestyle and testing 3-5 times a day seems to be working. You already have your test meter in place .. and you'll find that there is a wealth of info, relevant advice and positive support about LCHF on the forum ..

I see that @Jaylee has already tagged @ daisy1 for you and I suggest that you read up on the Low Carb Program in the information that she will soon be sending you. You might also find the discussion on the Low Carb Diet forum helpful .. and the following Diet Doctor websites ...
Low Carb Intro and Information
Low Carbs in 60 Seconds

Hope this helps

 

[Phoenix55]

Hi @JosiesMum, your numbers are reading rather high but they should improve as you have decided to take back control of what you are eating. Don't forget the extra exercise as well, that will slow your insulin resistance. With an HbA1c of 6.6 on diagnosis my doctor and diabetic nurse both wanted me to start on Metformin, we can not predict what the future holds for you, but you can give yourself the best chance possible extend the time before you start medication and to improve your general health.