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New and need advice

B

bazcom

Member
Messages
16
Location
Up North
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi All,

New to Diabetes - first blood test of HbA1c of 56 just 6 days ago following sugar in a blood sample. Started controlling food almost immediately and apart from the first day, all seems reasonably good. All readings (before and after) in the 'green' between about 4.5 and 7.7 (although haven't done any nighttime measurements).
Second HbA1c test in about 10 days time. The mySugr app is predicting a HbA1c of 39.9 based on my BG levels (really hope that's true). Anyone have any experience with it and how accurate it might be?

The reason for the post is that I feel terrible. It's been brewing for a couple of months really, but I feel foggy, slightly dizzy, disconnected. There's also a constant dull abdomen discomfort (almost like back ache).
Given my BG levels have been reasonably under control for a week or so, should this feeling not start to subside?

Any help much appreciated

Thanks

Barry
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. Please do not assume that these symptoms are automatically diabetes related. You need to go see your doctor as soon as possible to find out what is going on. Please don't wait more than a week.
 
Thanks chalup. I've seen my GP twice in the past week, but not really getting anywhere. The issue (seems to be) that all of the symptoms appear to be consistent with Type 2. I've also got that metallic/ketone taste, but am monitoring my ketones (0.5-1.5) and I am intaking low carbs to try and loose weight.

I should also have said I'm 46 and not in great shape. 113kgs with bmi of 32.
 
bazcom said:
The mySugr app is predicting a HbA1c of 39.9 based on my BG levels (really hope that's true). Anyone have any experience with it and how accurate it might be?
Click to expand...
Hi @bazcom and welcome to the forum. Well done on lowering your bs levels after diagnosis. I don't know how accurate your app is, I would think that it would be about right if your daily bg readings were in that range for the 12 weeks before your next Hba1c test.
The HbA1c blood test measures your blood sugar levels over the previous 8-12 weeks - the time it takes for your red blood cells to be replaced. So it will not have changed much if you are taking it again only 16 days after the first one.

As for your symptoms, we aren't doctors so can't diagnose what may be causing them, but if they are due to your bs levels they would probably take longer than 6 days to improve, even if your bs levels have been lower over those 6 days.

Your initial HbA1c reading of 56 isn't very high and you should be able to reduce that over 3 months if you are following a Low Carb diet. A Low Carb diet will also probably reduce your weight.
 
Hi Prem51,

Thanks for your response - very helpful. I'll wait a few more days before going back to the GP again. Just really wish my head would clear!

One more questions about HbA1c ... I'm not in denial here, I accept that I very likely have T2, but in the 4 days leading up to my visit with the GP which triggered all of this, I spent on my annual 'boys weekend' which involved a lot of alcohol and food!
How much of an effect would that have on a HbA1c?

Thanks again

Barry
 
Hi @bazcom It is a shock when you get that diagnosis, and it does take a bit of time to get your head round it all. Try not to stress too much about it as stress will also raise your bs levels. If you follow a LCHF or LC approach to eating you should be able to bring your HbA1c reading down in time. Some take longer than other as our bodies are all different.
Your 4 day binge wouldn't have affected your HbA1c test reading much as it measures your blood sugar levels over the previous 12 weeks.
Have a read round the threads and you will get an idea of how an LCHF (Low Carbohydrate High Fat) approach to eating works. Ask anything you want to, the people on here are friendly and supportive.
 
It didn't help but it takes a lot of bacchanalia to shift an average. Sadly the nearer it is to the blood test the bigger the effect.
 
If you have gone onto a very low carb diet (and I have to assume you have looking at your ketone levels, which are great by the way) Then you are probably undergoing "Keto Flu" as your body starts to switch from burning carbs to burning fat. I think that most of the symptoms that you describe could well be that. Maybe take a look at some keto websites (that's ketogenic diet) and see. There's a podcast here on keto flu.
http://2ketodudes.com/show.aspx?episode=1
if you like slightly irreverent humour from people who have actually done what they talk about then that's a great site. Alongside this one of course. Using a combination of the two I have achieved some pretty good stuff.
Good luck
Regards
Mark
 
Thanks all - great to know there's so much help available. Really appreciated.

Any idea how long ('ish) this KetoFlu lasts, generally speaking?

Barry
 
Fog cleared last night - in a very short space of time - about 20 mins. Exercise really seemed to help.

All in, it took about 7 days.

Thanks again for your help.

Barry
 
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