Type 2 High HB1AC and time to get BS back down

[Debandez]

Hi all!

New poster here but wanting to pick a few brains! My recent HB1AC level was around 114 which of course caused a LOT of concern, I was diagnosed a year ago and I will admit this past year I've let myself go quite a bit with letting myself eat some of the worst stuff imaginable. Long story short a lot of depression and anxiety along with life changes kicked me to the curb. My blood prick test on the day of testing was at a 19.1 when fasting and now I am down to the 10's and 9's after 2 weeks. I'm 29 and overweight so I am getting into walking at least 30 minutes a day five days a week to keep myself active, especially seeing as I have some high blood pressure half the time that caused a lot of concern.

On 500mg of Metformin and on Sitagliptin for reducing blood sugar levels along with ramipril for blood pressure. Changed over my diet too for a less severe amount of carbs and going towards the moderate diet right now, with my current numbers of going from 19 to a 10 am I on target to get back to normal levels? How long on average would it take to get it back under control?

Thanks all!

Sounds like you have put a great plan in place. New year, new you. Last year I pulled some useful info together for a meeting. I have attached it here. It shows the before and after hba1c numbers. Impressive and goals reached within short space of time for majority. Hope this gives you some reassurance that you can regain control quite quickly.

 

[Caeseji]

@Resurgam and @Debandez those were so useful, getting more and more ideas on how to reduce things down and get back to a stable level. Thanks so much for all the help from you both and the community.

In good news my blood pressure has dipped to a 143 over 73 now from its former dizzying heights of 155+ over 90+ and my blood sugar has hit a low of 8.8 on my meter so it's certainly working. Warding off my family trying to throw Christmas treats my way and giving up on most of the refined sugars and carbs is paying off.

Quick question, would almond milk be a good sub for my usual cow's milk on the sugar/carb side of things? Also is there any salad dressings you could recommend?

 

[Alison Campbell]

Check out the different carb amounts for the almond milk, I think some are sweetened. Shop bought ceasar dressings I have found to be the lowest carb if you like that. Easy enough to make your own dressing with olive oil, apple cider vinegar and herbs/mustard.

 

[bulkbiker]

would almond milk be a good sub for my usual cow's milk on the sugar/carb side of things

Double cream is better as the fat content keeps you feeling fuller.. "almond milk type drink" is effectively water with ground up nuts in it.

 

[Antje77]

would almond milk be a good sub for my usual cow's milk on the sugar/carb side of things?

Read the back of the pack for carb content. Do it with all packaged foods, it's very informative.

is there any salad dressings you could recommend?

- oil , vinegar, salt and pepper is a wonderful dressing. ( use whatever oil you like, olive, nut, sunflower or something else) (I like the balsamico vinegar, which has some carbs I think but as you use only very little it amounts to very little carbs for the salad any other vinegar is good as well, find the ones you like)
Mayonaise based dressing tastes good as well. Plain mayonaise works, but you can add some lemon juice, extra vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, whatever spices)

 

[Resurgam]

I have been known to use nut milks for extra flavour when cooking when I wanted the flavour and not the fibre, but I put cream in coffee, make various teas without additives, sometimes have squash - low sugar sorts, but hardly use any milk at all.
Salads get either coleslaw tipped into them, or mayonnaise.

 

[Debandez]

@Resurgam and @Debandez those were so useful, getting more and more ideas on how to reduce things down and get back to a stable level. Thanks so much for all the help from you both and the community.

In good news my blood pressure has dipped to a 143 over 73 now from its former dizzying heights of 155+ over 90+ and my blood sugar has hit a low of 8.8 on my meter so it's certainly working. Warding off my family trying to throw Christmas treats my way and giving up on most of the refined sugars and carbs is paying off.

Quick question, would almond milk be a good sub for my usual cow's milk on the sugar/carb side of things? Also is there any salad dressings you could recommend?

I use full fat mayo. Works for me. Nice and tasty. Don't know about almond milk. Sorry. Just check out carb content. I look at Tesco groceries. Every item has nutritional values on. Excellent resource

 

[Caeseji]

These are some great answers and certainly food for thought, thank you! Mayo is a great love of mine so I'll probably give that a go from now on, perhaps with a little pepper added on. I was down to a 7.0 today and rising to an 8 and 9 later on when I'd eaten. Problem was that I had gone through the hospital with a vaguely high ketone level in my urine which may have contributed to that. I did get advised to keep a handle on it but it may be because I've dropped off a load of carbs in one go within the last few weeks.

 

[Caeseji]

Hi again all!

Decided to post an update after being a little busy about things lately with my work situation but thankfully some good news. Blood sugars are back to normal levels and this morning my fasting level due came out at 5.4 and through the day it isn’t really going higher than 6 now so I’m on the right track. Finally got an appointment to go see the proper diabetic clinic in March so in time for my next HB1AC I suppose so hopefully the carb cutting will present some good news.

Thanks again all for the help!