t2 diagnosis and actually relieved

[richard666]

hi all
So... was diagnosed with T2 about 4 weeks ago, mixture of angry and relief!

Been feeling ill and "not right" for 5 years and had been going round in circles with the GP with various blood test that I was told were "normal". Had a re-occurance last year of gallbladder pain that I`d been having on and off for the last ten years, following which I had another ultrasound which found a few more stones and some more blood tests, during which, they noticed ALT (liver function) levels were getting higher. Off to see the liver consultant, more blood tests, ultrasound, x-ray and a liver biopsy and I was diagnosed in January with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) stage 2 - no treatment apart from the normal diet, exercise advice. Fast forward to end of April and I mentioned to liver consultant that as well as my normal symptoms (tiredness etc) I was getting very thirsty and had noticed the fatigue got worse after I ate bread/potatoes etc (I`d already mentioned this several times to my GP . Yep you`ve guessed he mentioned I should speak to my GP specifically re diabetes.

A1c was 104.2 which I`m told is quite high and blood glucose was 19.5. Had to see the GP a couple of days later and was put on metformin but told no need to monitor (eh?). Anyway my mum is T2 so wasn`t terribly surprised and literally went home, cleared out the cupboards of any naughty food (pleased to say there was less than a carrier bags worth) and went out and bought a monitor, thinking I want to be in control of this. Noticed my BG went high after eating a fairly normal meal which corresponds to what I`d noticed years ago. Had a horribly weekend after diagnosis where my BG went up to 28 after I ate a small jacket spud.

Have really knocked the carbs down (though I may need to go further!) and can manage to do some exercise when I get home from work ( a month ago I was getting soo tired I would get home and have a sleepy!) and notice my levels are coming down - thankfully!
Have now seen the diabetes nurse and have my free monitor, should be picking up my free-prescribed extra test strips, more metformin, etc tomorrow.

As you guess I`m mightily pee`d off this wasn`t picked up earlier but at same time I now know what`s been causing the bulk of symptoms I`ve had and it`s really up to me to control this..

 

[Rachox]

Hi Richard, I understand your anger and relief fully. I too was diagnosed coming up to 4 weeks ago. I was 'caught' with a high HbA1c in a routine annual hypertension blood test. In retrospect I think I had been ill for sometime, tired, especially after eating etc … I'd put it all down to being the wrong side of 50! I am now on Metformin and I have bought my own meter as my GP politely said that he didn't advocate self testing. I immediately cut carbs to < 100g/day.
I'm pee'd off too that I didn't have a warning back in 2013 when a fasting glucose showed me as boarder line! Have registered to view my results on-line.
I already feel better and have lost a stone and a half in weight without counting calories, just carbs.
Some of the longer standing members will be along soon and post loads of useful links for you.

 

[Resurgam]

I will tag @daisy1 who will post a useful information sheet on foods.
If you can, set your mind on your future healthcare rather than your past - it is possible to lower blood glucose and get good Hba1c results in quite a short time if you do a clean sweep of carbohydrates for a few days and then use your meter to find out what you can or can't eat.
For me potatoes, any grain, the sweeter fruits, and legumes all cause my BG to go up and stay up for hours.
However - the foods I can eat seem to be the ones I really like.
Roast chicken with cauliflower and mushrooms with strawberries and cream to follow - few people would consider that deprivation.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi @richard666 and welcome aboard.

Diagnosis can be a huge relief, just as you describe. It can also be the kick up the bum we need to improve our eating habits and health. You are being proactive I am pleased to see, and having found this forum, obtained a meter, and gained some understanding of the role of carbohydrate, you should soon be seeing great improvements.

Read round all the forums and also the main website to learn as much as you can about diabetes and how best to control it. Eating to your meter is the best way forward. Your diagnostic results were very high, but hopefully by your next test they will be a lot lower. Good luck, and keep asking questions.

 

[Prem51]

Welcome to the forum @richard666. Well at least you know what has been causing your problems now. And you know what you need to do.
Have a read round the threads, and ask any questions you want to, the people on here are friendly and supportive.

 

[daisy1]

@richard666

Hello Richard and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Have a look at the Low Carb Program as it could help you. Ask as many questions as you need to 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 235,000 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.

 

[richard666]

thanks all

 

[Freema]

welcome here richard666

seems you are a figther and that´ll help you, of cause we shloud be in control and I can´t understand the advice to not measure blood glucose in type 2 diabetics... it is the certain road down hill health wise... so very fine you already measure your blood glucose...

many need inspirations to the new eating style and there are lot and lots of very fine recipes on the web on low carb meals and low carb treats . i´ll put a few I find delicious here

https://authoritynutrition.com/18-low-carb-breakfast-recipes/

https://www.lowcarblab.com/best-low-carb-ice-cream-recipes/

https://www.lowcarblab.com/low-carb-snack-ideas-recipes-sweet-salty/

https://draxe.com/keto-recipes/

 

[richard666]

welcome here richard666

seems you are a figther and that´ll help you, of cause we shloud be in control and I can´t understand the advice to not measure blood glucose in type 2 diabetics... it is the certain road down hill health wise... so very fine you already measure your blood glucose...

many need inspirations to the new eating style and there are lot and lots of very fine recipes on the web on low carb meals and low carb treats . i´ll put a few I find delicious here

https://authoritynutrition.com/18-low-carb-breakfast-recipes/

https://www.lowcarblab.com/best-low-carb-ice-cream-recipes/

https://www.lowcarblab.com/low-carb-snack-ideas-recipes-sweet-salty/

https://draxe.com/keto-recipes/

thanks for the links - I`m veggie so it`s always good to have some different food ideas