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Newly diagnosed - meds or no meds?

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Loulai

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I have been officially diagnosed today. My Hba1c levels 101 !!!! Eeeeek
I kinda knew as I had tested with my hubbys meter (he is type 1) and my blood sugar was running between 10-16 pre and post meals, so that shocked me into starting my LCHF diet just over 8 days ago, Already, my pre and post levels are so much better , saw a lovely 7.1 (great number after having such highs!) after this evenings meal, so I feel like I am going to go in the right direction. I am also a control freak so this is a great opportunity to be in control. I have been prescribed metformin, I didn't really want to take any meds, is there anyone who have had high levels like this that has chosen not to take the tablets/ or taken the tablets. Pros, cons? My doctor was insistent that I take them, but then he also suggested I just had a few chips, not a plateful.....

Edited to say diagnosed with type 2
 
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If you reduce the carbs low enough you may be able to do without meds assuming you are T2 and not late onset T1. Metformin is a very safe drug but doesn't make a big difference but GPs swear by it and it keeps them happy! I would take it as I do even though I'm on insulin. It does have some other protective actions.
 
Loulai said:
I have been officially diagnosed today. My Hba1c levels 101 !!!! Eeeeek
I kinda knew as I had tested with my hubbys meter (he is type 1) and my blood sugar was running between 10-16 pre and post meals, so that shocked me into starting my LCHF diet just over 8 days ago, Already, my pre and post levels are so much better , saw a lovely 7.1 (great number after having such highs!) after this evenings meal, so I feel like I am going to go in the right direction. I am also a control freak so this is a great opportunity to be in control. I have been prescribed metformin, I didn't really want to take any meds, is there anyone who have had high levels like this that has chosen not to take the tablets/ or taken the tablets. Pros, cons? My doctor was insistent that I take them, but then he also suggested I just had a few chips, not a plateful.....

Edited to say diagnosed with type 2
Click to expand...
high levels need intervention. But the LCHF may well pull them down to a level where drugs aren’t needed. If it is T2 and not another variant. It is your decision but having dr agreement is always good. Have you asked them about doing the dietary changes, retest in 3 months or so and seeing if you have made the changes needed to stay dietary? Your own blood testing is key and looks like you have all that sorted so that’s good

Going drug free even after many years on drugs for T2 is possible with lifelong changes. Keeping levels sustained is possible too. If the hba1c doesn’t stabalise though the long term issues of high bloods are not good and you may need to reconsider but sounds like you have already made a lot of progress

cons without your changes are a large list. You can easily search diabetic symptoms of long term high bloods but suffice to safe, not good

metformin is often tolerated well, makes some impact on your bloods but works alongside diet mostly. It can cause some stomach issues (slow release then tends to be offered but also doesn’t always settle) which are not good but mostly it’s tolerated well. I was on slow release for > 10 years. At the levels you say, without diet then metformin is quite possibly the start of the drugs needed.

Also, welcome!
 
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My Hba1c was 103 back when I was diagnosed, due to have another Hba1c next week so interested to see what's changed. I declined the meds and I have gone lchf and for me I think its helping, as well as exercise, I think its totally achievable.
 
Hi @Loulai , Several forum members have managed full remission of Type 2 using Low Carb without any diabetes medication. So there is hope that you can join them.

Metformin doesn't have much of an effect on your Blood Glucose levels - Low Carb has a much bigger effect.
While Metformin is well tolerated by many/most) can have terrible effects of being glued to the toilet for others.
The Extended Release version is less likely to cause this problem.
 
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