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Newbie, diagnosed T2 diabetes.

P

pixie1

Well-Known Member
Messages
372
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hiya everyone,
My name is Heather, just been newly diagnosed as T2, only after a routine blood tests. First test done in the March, then again in April.
I am having another set of tests done in July.
My Fasting glucose was 7.8 in the March. HbA1c was 50 mmol/mol in April. I did ask for a full print out on my test results. I have been referred to the diabetic team, attached to the practice.
I have been offered the education course, which I excepted. I did ask for a blood glucose meter, both Gp and Diabetic Nurse, refused. On the grounds I would be obsessive, also the HbA1c was better, as it would take the average over the 2/3 months. I bought one anyway, for my piece of mind. It was more logical to test,
As part of self management.

I have read threads from this forum and backed my theory, that too many carbs are bad. I have already cut them out. No longer eat: Pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, these was my staple diet.
I have been keeping a diary of numbers and food. My lowest is 5.2 and my highest post meal 8.8, (KFC) went down to 7 at bed time. 7 in the morning, then 5.8 by mid morning.
I am looking forward to my next lot of tests to see if there has been some changes. I look at myself as a walking experimental lab, at the moment.

I would certainly appreciate any advice, which may help me. Thank you all in advance.

Heather.
 
Hi Heather and welcome to the forum :)

Here is the advice we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find nearly 100,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 
you've got the hang of it already, you are going to be fine, do the courses then make up your own mind, if you learn one thing it will be worth it
and get all the checks, eyes feet teeth, bloods for kidney liver etc

this will help with your meter too
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php

a lot here are doing LCHF
read and video
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf
 
Hi Heather, welcome - sounds like you're doing just fine so far :)
 
You seem to be doing all the right things which is a good start.

KFC fries causes me high readings. KFC original recipe chicken is virtually carb free. So only have (at most) one of their small bags of fries.

A nurse asked me what I was going to have for lunch and I said KFC. She objected because the name had "Fried" in the title. That was all.

Do not have any dippers, nuggets or things not shaped like animal parts.
 
pixie1 said:
I did ask for a blood glucose meter, both Gp and Diabetic Nurse, refused. On the grounds I would be obsessive,
Click to expand...

Or dedicated as we call it.
 
Hi Heather, welcome to the Forum. Well done for cutting the carbs and getting yourself a meter you are doing all the right things to successfully manage your diabetes. Best advice on this site, lots of information and tips and a great bunch of people to help out if you need it. It is a bit of trial and error to start with, but you will soon find out what you can and can't eat as we are all different.

What course are you going on?

Keep up the good work.

Marilyn
 
Thank you all for your Hello's, and letting me know that I am on the right lines. Daisy thank you for introduction.

Hi jack thanks for the links. I have already recommended the diet doctor, who has been diagnosed with prediabetes.
I have had my feet checked, absolutely fine. My kidney function is normal. There are a few things which need ironing out.
My cholesterol is: 6.1 Cholesterol/HDL is. 5.0. HDL 1.21/LDL is 3.8. This needs to come down.
Triglycerides is 2.12 a bit high
The liver function a bit out.A Phosphatase needs to come down. AST fine, a couple needs adjusting the rest is spot on.
Hoping the switch from carbs to saturates will do that.



Hi Rod, thank you.

Hi squire fulwood, I used the hints and tips, as well as some reasoning. Breaded chicken is lethal, shall not touch. Anything out of KFC will be normal chicken as a treat, I didn't have the chips or pop. Cooked my son, chicken nuggets and chips, gave son his tea asap lololol

I have already lost some weight., 11lb so far. I am doing it stone by stone. The DN seems happy and doing the right thing. I don't think she has realised, I have increased my saturates.

Thanks Heather
 
Thanks Bluetit and Marilyn, I felt so much relief when I bought the Meter, I feel in control and proactive now, in managing my diabetes.
Rather than being in the mercey of the diabetic team, I have already learnt, they will listen, but not acknowledge what you say, but do understand that everyone is different.

I did outline that even though it is advised that a Meter is not necessary, those who are diabetic do, that is more important. I will be looking for hints and tips. Also give some input where I can

Cheers

Heather
 
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