• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Type 2 How bad is a long term 8.mmol/l

tim32

tim32

Well-Known Member
Messages
47
Location
East Midlands
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I'm recently diagnosed type 2, 5'10 tall down to 93 KG from a high of 106 KG 18 months ago and 98 KG when diagnosed in February. 2 weeks ago the nurse wanted to put me on Metformin, that i have (for now) refused. In the last 2 weeks i have started a low carb diet (There is a lot to learn, but i think i'm getting the hang of it slowly) but my mmol/l on the meter i have managed to get from the nurse is averaging around 8.0 mmol/l if i eat really well and take my readings after the gym i can get a 7.2 mmol/l average.
I am wondering if this average is dangerous long term?
Should i go on the tablets,
Could i wait another 10 weeks for my HBA1C.
I know any replies will only be peoples valid opinions, but it would be great to here them.
 
Although 7's and 8's aren't all that bad...I think you know...it could be better. You've already made a positive change in terms of taking up a low carb diet and it will take some time to really get to grips with it all but now that you have a meter you could try testing before and two hours after meals to see how different foods affect you. As you've only just started low carbing it could take a few weeks to normalise your BG which is a good thing as doing it too fast can also have a few adverse effects. I'm a type 1 so I could be way off here so hoping a few Type 2's will be along to correct me if I'm wrong. In terms of medication...I think that's something only you can decide
 
Hi. Are the meter readings taken 2 hours after a meal as this is the best time to take them. 8 mmol is pretty good and may not need any medication; the HBa1C will be the best guide for you and GP. Just carry on with your diet and you may see further weight and blood sugar reduction. Metformin is a good safe drug and worth taking if you have excess weight.
 
Can you tell us when you are testing each day ?
If the average of 8 is just an average of your post meal readings it isn't too bad, but if the average includes readings taken before meals, bedtime, or fasting, then it isn't so good.
 
Natalie1974 said:
Although 7's and 8's aren't all that bad...I think you know...it could be better. You've already made a positive change in terms of taking up a low carb diet and it will take some time to really get to grips with it all but now that you have a meter you could try testing before and two hours after meals to see how different foods affect you. As you've only just started low carbing it could take a few weeks to normalise your BG which is a good thing as doing it too fast can also have a few adverse effects. I'm a type 1 so I could be way off here so hoping a few Type 2's will be along to correct me if I'm wrong. In terms of medication...I think that's something only you can decide
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply, I'm probably just expecting to much of myself, I want instant results i mean iv'e given up chocolate biscuits and beer. I will take your information on the testing and see if i can find a culprit.
 
The average of your meter readings is telling you just that, the average of your meter readings. No matter how often you test your blood sugar that isn't going to be the same thing as your actual average blood sugar - you've already found how you can manipulate the average on the meter by taking your bloods at times you know you are going to be lower (after the gym). So without a HbA1c you might be trying to make a decision on medication with less that 1/24th of the information.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Can you tell us when you are testing each day ?
If the average of 8 is just an average of your post meal readings it isn't too bad, but if the average includes readings taken before meals, bedtime, or fasting, then it isn't so good.
Click to expand...
I test first thing in the morning,Before food and coffee and sometimes when i get back from the gym, The post gym readings are always lower than the morning readings.
 
Daibell said:
Hi. Are the meter readings taken 2 hours after a meal as this is the best time to take them. 8 mmol is pretty good and may not need any medication; the HBa1C will be the best guide for you and GP. Just carry on with your diet and you may see further weight and blood sugar reduction. Metformin is a good safe drug and worth taking if you have excess weight.
Click to expand...
I test first thing in the morning before eating and drinking. I will start testing before and 2 hours after meals.
 
tim32 said:
I test first thing in the morning before eating and drinking. I will start testing before and 2 hours after meals.
Click to expand...

That is a good plan. Ignore your meter averages, they mean nothing because you have no idea what is happening the other 23.9 hours of the day and night. It is the actual rise from before eating to after eating that is important if you are to find a diet that suits you, which is the whole reason we T2s have meters. Try to keep any rise under 2mmol/l, preferably under 1.5mmol/l. More than that and the meal had too many carbs in it which either need eliminating or reducing in portion size. Keeping a food diary and recording your levels alongside will help you enormously.
 
Back
Top