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numbers going up

fumanchu

fumanchu

Well-Known Member
Messages
393
Location
Scotland
Type of diabetes
Family member
Treatment type
Diet only
Husband is 75, had type 2 for around 13 years, diet controlled no meds. His BG lately is going higher and nothing he is doing is helping. We've gone back to basics with very LC and no cheating but his morning BG is sticking around 8.5. Recent Hba1c was 52. He's doing my head in moaning so I thought I'd ask you lot what might be going on? :(
 
fumanchu said:
Husband is 75, had type 2 for around 13 years, diet controlled no meds. His BG lately is going higher and nothing he is doing is helping. We've gone back to basics with very LC and no cheating but his morning BG is sticking around 8.5. Recent Hba1c was 52. He's doing my head in moaning so I thought I'd ask you lot what might be going on? :(
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What have you been having as low carb? Also how long?
13 years diet controlled is great and 52 is only a bit above the diagnostic levels so no guarantees of course but we might be able to suggest a bit of tweaking if there is anything obvious
 
fumanchu said:
Husband is 75, had type 2 for around 13 years, diet controlled no meds. His BG lately is going higher and nothing he is doing is helping. We've gone back to basics with very LC and no cheating but his morning BG is sticking around 8.5. Recent Hba1c was 52. He's doing my head in moaning so I thought I'd ask you lot what might be going on? :(
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I know from my own experience how worrying higher than expected BGs can be. Things that can affect it other than diet include illness, does he have a cold or any other health issues that have flared up recently?
Lack of sleep also affects me - sometimes a nightmare will raise BG the following day.
How about exercise? Has that changed at all, again, only from my own experience but I really notice if I don’t keep up the exercise.
Lastly have you checked the test strips? Sometimes you can get a faulty batch, other things can affect their accuracy like storage temperature and humidity. I used to keep mine in the bathroom but opening the pot in a steamy room caused them to go off quite quickly. It might be worth opening a new pot.
Having said all that I take my hat off to your husband for managing 13 years of good control and low carb, he’s a star ( even if he is doing your head in )
 
Thanks both xx One thing he does cheat on with the LC is porridge. He's had it for breakfast all his life and just won't change - but I got him to have a smaller plate. Otherwise the LC is sorted really. Went on it when he was first diagnosed Andy but you always slip into cheating without noticing eh! We've been very strict for a week now - maybe it'll take longer to have an effect? One thing though, he isnt overweight at all and I dont think he eats enough, he has supper at 6pm and that's him for the day. I don't think that will help but IDK.
DJC3 changed the test strips yes. Exercise well yes def he isn't doing enough, Got lazy. Would that help a lot if I got him to go walks again?
 
fumanchu said:
What's that jonathan and can the GP order it?
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c-peptide gives an indication of how much insulin your body is producing. If it is low then it could be due to autoimmune component of diabetes. Yes your GP should be able to order the test ... there are a couple of ways of doing it - some involve urine collection and others involve a blood sample.
 
fumanchu said:
DJC3 changed the test strips yes. Exercise well yes def he isn't doing enough, Got lazy. Would that help a lot if I got him to go walks again?
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It’s certainly worth a try, it works for me ( at least I notice higher BGs if I’ve let it slide) it’s certainly not going to do any harm.
 
DJC3 said:
It’s certainly worth a try, it works for me ( at least I notice higher BGs if I’ve let it slide) it’s certainly not going to do any harm.
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@fumanchu Agreed on the exercise. If that’s reduced of late then it’s possible there might have been an impact.

the porridge also I’m afraid is likely to impact blood sugars. Whilst it hasn’t had an impact before, it may well not be helping. For some in the forums it causes high spikes (10+) 2 hours after eating so not always good

C-peptide given your husbands symptoms are not showing significant hba1c they may well not do it. You can of course ask but everything you have said, to me, looks more like some minor changes are starting to show a little bit of control loss. But always good to try and find out

if this is the case, the small tweaks hopefully will help improve
 
fumanchu said:
Ok magic thanks. He's onna mission now. No porridge - bacon & egg. Try for a wee walk most days. And stick to menu plans. Sorted! :happy::rolleyes:
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That sounds a good option
Appreciate its hard. Giving up something you love, and I really hope it helps his levels and always good to keep an eye on it.

Fingers crossed!
 
jonathan183 said:
c-peptide gives an indication of how much insulin your body is producing. If it is low then it could be due to autoimmune component of diabetes. Yes your GP should be able to order the test ... there are a couple of ways of doing it - some involve urine collection and others involve a blood sample.
Click to expand...
You can only be referred for a c-peptide on the NHS on diagnosis to check the type of diabetes you have. After 13 years, it will be type 2. You would have to go private to get a c-peptide see if you need insulin as a type 2. It's a little premature as it may be high due to an infection and come down in the next weeks.
 
Bacon and eggs for breakfast instead? Or skip breakfast altogether?
 
fumanchu said:
Thanks both xx One thing he does cheat on with the LC is porridge. He's had it for breakfast all his life and just won't change
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I could show you huge spikes from non-diabetics eating porridge, no matter what the portion.
See if you could slip him some eggs & bacon some morning then show him his reading afterwards.

Either way he's doing great for someone of his age.
Is a simple drug like Metformin out of question for him, could work wonders om his A1c.
 
ert said:
You can only be referred for a c-peptide on the NHS on diagnosis to check the type of diabetes you have. After 13 years, it will be type 2. You would have to go private to get a c-peptide see if you need insulin as a type 2. It's a little premature as it may be high due to an infection and come down in the next weeks.
Click to expand...

I think you might be right here, there might be something going on with him, he's been really wiped out recently and worried about his heart as he had a bypass 2 yrs ago. Went doc, full blood count done, nothing off but they altered a couple of his meds. I'm hoping now that this is reason.
 
Ronancastled said:
I could show you huge spikes from non-diabetics eating porridge, no matter what the portion.
See if you could slip him some eggs & bacon some morning then show him his reading afterwards.

Either way he's doing great for someone of his age.
Is a simple drug like Metformin out of question for him, could work wonders om his A1c.
Click to expand...

It is coming isnt it, but he's trying to put it off as long as poss. Has heard some horror stories about Metformin and it's side effects.
 
Very strict LC day for us today.
Breakfast--- bacon & egg
Dinner ---HM soup (kale, spring greens, cream herbs and spices) then Greek full fat yoghurt.
Tea --- scrambled eggs with cheese.
Will give him an oatcake with peanut butter later on,to stop him getting hungry through the night.
His BG after breakfast was 10 god knows why. Then 2 hours after dinner it was a decent 8.1.
 
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