Diagnosed with diabetes today

[passionforpink]

I went to the doctors this morning to speak with the dr about my blood test results I recently had and he told me I was diabetic, after the initial shock and some tears he put me on Metformin to start with 500g 3 times a day which have made quite nauseous and dizzy but no other problems.
The dr tested my sugar levels before I’d had anything to eat which was 7.6.
I half expected to diagnosed with diabetes at some point in my life as my mum is and injects with insulin, my dad was, my uncle is and my grandparents on my mums side were too.
I’m now waiting for the surgery to call to be booked in to see the diabetic nurse soon but feeling quite nervous about this all.

 

[paulus1]

with yourfamily history and you looking young. i would say you need to be rested for type 1. re the metformin thats a large start dose. it wont hurt to use 1 for a week or 2 then add another at night leave it again a week or so and add the third in the morning. but i would not take your gp dignosis as definate yet. what was your hba1c and 7.5 though a little higher than anon diabetics level its nothing a low carb diet could not reverse. in fact lots would hold off on tablets and see if diet would work alone. but we cant advice that.

 

[passionforpink]

with yourfamily history and you looking young. i would say you need to be rested for type 1. re the metformin thats a large start dose. it wont hurt to use 1 for a week or 2 then add another at night leave it again a week or so and add the third in the morning. but i would not take your gp dignosis as definate yet. what was your hba1c and 7.5 though a little higher than anon diabetics level its nothing a low carb diet could not reverse. in fact lots would hold off on tablets and see if diet would work alone. but we cant advice that.

Hi Paul thank you for your reply, I’m not quite so young I’m 42 Lol but thank you for the compliment.
The dr was adamant I started on this dose, he didn’t just go on the blood sugar level test but also went by my blood results too but I’m not sure what they were. I said I had not been feeling well prior to the blood tests and the last few weeks I’m feeling very tired, sleepy, feeling sick, shakey, headaches and drinking more. I have all the symptoms of diabetes but I don’t really know anything much until I see the diabetic nurse.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi Paul thank you for your reply, I’m not quite so young I’m 42 Lol but thank you for the compliment.
The dr was adamant I started on this dose, he didn’t just go on the blood sugar level test but also went by my blood results too but I’m not sure what they were. I said I had not been feeling well prior to the blood tests and the last few weeks I’m feeling very tired, sleepy, feeling sick, shakey, headaches and drinking more. I have all the symptoms of diabetes but I don’t really know anything much until I see the diabetic nurse.

It would be a good idea to contact your surgery and ask for a print out of the blood test results. You really need these in black and white so you know exactly where you are, and which tests you had. Cholesterol and lipids, plus liver and kidney functions are just as important as the HbA1c test. It might help if you have them before you see your nurse so you can be forewarned and forearmed.

 

[passionforpink]

It would be a good idea to contact your surgery and ask for a print out of the blood test results. You really need these in black and white so you know exactly where you are, and which tests you had. Cholesterol and lipids, plus liver and kidney functions are just as important as the HbA1c test. It might help if you have them before you see your nurse so you can be forewarned and forearmed.

I will do that, when I had my bloods done I had a full blood count and liver test and they found my red blood cells were really high and my oxygen to be affected too. I was asked if I was a smoker and I said no.
The nurse is at the surgery where I saw my doctor so everything will be to hand so she should know what’s going on .

 

[Guzzler]

I will do that, when I had my bloods done I had a full blood count and liver test and they found my red blood cells were really high and my oxygen to be affected too. I was asked if I was a smoker and I said no.
The nurse is at the surgery where I saw my doctor so everything will be to hand so she should know what’s going on .

The locum who first requested a blood draw from me told me this "You're haemaglobin is high and your liver is dodgy". I came home and did the Dr. Google thingy but was none the wiser. No one has ever mentioned a high haemaglobin level again so I am thinking that he meant the HbA1c was high. So, Bluetit is right, get a printout and then you will actually be able to understand where you are as of right now.

 

[passionforpink]

The locum who first requested a blood draw from me told me this "You're haemaglobin is high and your liver is dodgy". I came home and did the Dr. Google thingy but was none the wiser. No one has ever mentioned a high haemaglobin level again so I am thinking that he meant the HbA1c was high. So, Bluetit is right, get a printout and then you will actually be able to understand where you are as of right now.

Thank you Guzzler, I will call the surgery tomorrow to see if they can do me a print out xx

 

[Bluetit1802]

I will do that, when I had my bloods done I had a full blood count and liver test and they found my red blood cells were really high and my oxygen to be affected too. I was asked if I was a smoker and I said no.
The nurse is at the surgery where I saw my doctor so everything will be to hand so she should know what’s going on .

I don't want to confuse you or blind you with science, but I do need to comment that abnormal red blood cells, especially high haemotocrits can lead to an elevated HbA1c result (blood glucose). You need to get those print outs.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

No idea if you're willing to dive into a new lifestyle, but low carb/high fat made quite a difference for me personally. Numbers are non-diabetic now, and I stopped taking meds a year ago. (I'm still diabetic, but the numbers are good and the eternal infections are a thing of the past). There's a load of different diets out there, from intermittent fasting to the mediterranian; just saying this one worked for me. You'll probably get a lot of conflicting information from google, this forum -which I personally trust more than most specialists I've seen so far- and the nurse, but it is always a good idea to buy a monitor. We're all different, and what works for one person might not work for another; knowing what your blood's up to and how your body responds to certain foods is such a big help in making choices specific to your own needs. And who knows, others in your family might benefit from what you learn too! So, welcome, and you've come to the right place! It's a lot to take in, but this really is the quickest place to learn whatever you want to know.

 

[passionforpink]

No idea if you're willing to dive into a new lifestyle, but low carb/high fat made quite a difference for me personally. Numbers are non-diabetic now, and I stopped taking meds a year ago. (I'm still diabetic, but the numbers are good and the eternal infections are a thing of the past). There's a load of different diets out there, from intermittent fasting to the mediterranian; just saying this one worked for me. You'll probably get a lot of conflicting information from google, this forum -which I personally trust more than most specialists I've seen so far- and the nurse, but it is always a good idea to buy a monitor. We're all different, and what works for one person might not work for another; knowing what your blood's up to and how your body responds to certain foods is such a big help in making choices specific to your own needs. And who knows, others in your family might benefit from what you learn too! So, welcome, and you've come to the right place! It's a lot to take in, but this really is the quickest place to learn whatever you want to know.

Thank you for your help and advice, I’ve already changed a lot in my diet from switching from sugar in coffee to sweeteners, eating brown bread instead of white, brown rice instead of white, having fresh salmon which I love. Ive cut out all the monster energy drinks I was drinking and now drinking orange squash and Diet Coke. I’ve still a lot to learn but I’ve made a positive start I think xxx

 

[Bluetit1802]

Thank you for your help and advice, I’ve already changed a lot in my diet from switching from sugar in coffee to sweeteners, eating brown bread instead of white, brown rice instead of white, having fresh salmon which I love. Ive cut out all the monster energy drinks I was drinking and now drinking orange squash and Diet Coke. I’ve still a lot to learn but I’ve made a positive start I think xxx

Yes, that is a good and positive start, but you do need to be very careful with brown bread and brown rice. There are just as many carbs in the brown varieties as there are in the white ones - you need to check the total carbs on the nutrition labels on the packets, and test them with your meter. All carbs turn to sugar once digested - including the brown ones. You are likely to find they will spike you. Sorry

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Sounds like you're plenty motivated! I am sorry to say brown bread and brown rice in all probability will still affect your bloodsugar though. They're carb-heavy, though maybe not as much as the white varieties. I've heard there are aldi proteinrolls or something in the UK which are low carb, and you might want to switch to cauliflower rice... No carbs, and just as versatile. (I know, it surprised me too). Ditching the energy drinks is going to make a huge difference, I'm sure! (I used to live on sugary pop and coffee. Only ate one meal a day. Oops! Hindsight: 20/20!). And hey, if you want to try & keep the rice & bread, just check before and two hours after first bite. If it spikes, (more than 2 points up from before your meal), you can do something about it. Lessen the portion or something. And if you don't spike, it's fine. Everyone's different, and it's trial and error for all of us. And oh, salmon...! I hear you. Love it too! I could eat that every day. You're doing great!

 

[Glenmac]

@passionforpink You will find this forum is excellent for help and advice.The plus side for you is that you are addressing your diagnosis and can find ways to help yourself.It does feel overwhelming when you are first diagnosed,but this forum is great as there are lots of knowledgeable friendly people on here.Dont be afraid to ask any question,someone will be along to help.