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I fell off the wagon . . . but now I'm back!

tigerlily72

tigerlily72

Well-Known Member
Messages
517
Location
South West, England UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I'm not a new member but I haven't been on here for a number of months. I'm ashamed to say I've lapsed in to bad habits and eating what I feel like.

However, that's set to change and hopefully put me back on track . . . I was diagnosed as having pre-diabetes in December 2014. I've been feeling unwell / not right on and off for a year or so. My previous GP retired this year and we now have a female GP. This new GP seems much more "interested" and thorough (she's also my hubby's GP and his parents GP too).

After suffering for some time with symptoms that could point to going through the menopause (ah, the joys of being female) :( I decided to go and discuss this with her.

And so, I've had a full blood test checking for not only blood sugar (and I believe HBa1C), but also thyroid and hormones to determine if I am menopausal. I know I shouldn't worry until I get the results but after googling symptoms of an Over Active Thyroid I have quite a few of the symptoms. Knowing my luck I'll end up with a dodgy thyroid, diabetic and probably menopausal!

I have a Drs appointment on Wednesday morning to get and discuss my results. You may be hearing a lot more from me in the near future.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
tigerlily72 said:
I'm not a new member but I haven't been on here for a number of months. I'm ashamed to say I've lapsed in to bad habits and eating what I feel like.

However, that's set to change and hopefully put me back on track . . . I was diagnosed as having pre-diabetes in December 2014. I've been feeling unwell / not right on and off for a year or so. My previous GP retired this year and we now have a female GP. This new GP seems much more "interested" and thorough (she's also my hubby's GP and his parents GP too).

After suffering for some time with symptoms that could point to going through the menopause (ah, the joys of being female) :( I decided to go and discuss this with her.

And so, I've had a full blood test checking for not only blood sugar (and I believe HBa1C), but also thyroid and hormones to determine if I am menopausal. I know I shouldn't worry until I get the results but after googling symptoms of an Over Active Thyroid I have quite a few of the symptoms. Knowing my luck I'll end up with a dodgy thyroid, diabetic and probably menopausal!

I have a Drs appointment on Wednesday morning to get and discuss my results. You may be hearing a lot more from me in the near future.
Click to expand...
I returned recently too after falling off the wagon. After 3 weeks of LCHF my BGs are looking great and my weight has dropped by over 3kg (7lb). I'm not hungry in the slightest, which is a big change for me. Loving it.

Look forward to seeing you around. Stay on the wagon :)
 
We all have feet of clay, diabetes is a toughie, I was babysitting on Saturday night, kids had chips, before I could think half a dozen were down my throat! Can't pull them out so be more careful!
 
So, I couldn't wait and phoned the surgery earlier today to try and find out what my results are (pending seeing the Dr on Weds. morning).

The receptionist didn't tell me everything as she said "I'm not medically trained" but told me at least twice not to worry once she had relayed some of the information and reminded me I would be seeing my Dr for an appointment.

My fasting blood sugar was 8.1 but she said my HBa1c was ok so a bit puzzled by that one :confused:. Am I or am I not diabetic after this diagnosis??

Also, she told me my haemoglobin count was 31.6% but didn't expand any further on this. I've tried and tried to find out more about this by googling but not really found out for sure but I think it's low.

Is there anyone on here that knows what this percentage means please? If someone can point me to a useful link that would really be appreciated.
 
tigerlily72 said:
So, I couldn't wait and phoned the surgery earlier today to try and find out what my results are (pending seeing the Dr on Weds. morning).

The receptionist didn't tell me everything as she said "I'm not medically trained" but told me at least twice not to worry once she had relayed some of the information and reminded me I would be seeing my Dr for an appointment.

My fasting blood sugar was 8.1 but she said my HBa1c was ok so a bit puzzled by that one :confused:. Am I or am I not diabetic after this diagnosis??

Also, she told me my haemoglobin count was 31.6% but didn't expand any further on this. I've tried and tried to find out more about this by googling but not really found out for sure but I think it's low.

Is there anyone on here that knows what this percentage means please? If someone can point me to a useful link that would really be appreciated.
Click to expand...
You could ask for a printout of your results... I always do so that I can compare against previous and future tests.

Your FBG suggests you are in the diabetic range but taken in isolation it is not enough for a diagnosis either way. You would need to know your HbA1c as well. She should have given you your actual HbA1c result... it might be under 48, so she said ok, but in fact 42-47 is the prediabetic range, and IMHO anything over say 36 means you need to reduce your BGs further to prevent pre-D and D.

I've never seen Haemoglobin expressed as a percentage before. She may have her wires crossed there. A printout is best because you know it's accurate and they usually show reference ranges. My Hb is usually 130+ and as far as I know, 100 is the threshold for not having enough red blood cells and possibly needing a blood transfusion. In the unlikely event that your Hb is abnormal, I think waiting a few days to see the doctor is no biggie, and you might not even need treatment for it, as it could recover on its own.

Try not to worry at this stage :) If blood tests show a serious/urgent issue the doctor will contact the patient ahead of the appointment.
 
CatLadyNZ said:
You could ask for a printout of your results... I always do so that I can compare against previous and future tests.

Your FBG suggests you are in the diabetic range but taken in isolation it is not enough for a diagnosis either way. You would need to know your HbA1c as well. She should have given you your actual HbA1c result... it might be under 48, so she said ok, but in fact 42-47 is the prediabetic range, and IMHO anything over say 36 means you need to reduce your BGs further to prevent pre-D and D.

I've never seen Haemoglobin expressed as a percentage before. She may have her wires crossed there. A printout is best because you know it's accurate and they usually show reference ranges. My Hb is usually 130+ and as far as I know, 100 is the threshold for not having enough red blood cells and possibly needing a blood transfusion. In the unlikely event that your Hb is abnormal, I think waiting a few days to see the doctor is no biggie, and you might not even need treatment for it, as it could recover on its own.

Try not to worry at this stage :) If blood tests show a serious/urgent issue the doctor will contact the patient ahead of the appointment.
Click to expand...


Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, I'm a natural born worrier!! (and a bit of a Realist). I stressed about it for most of last night and then ended up not sleeping very well. I'll try to forget about it until tomorrow morning when I see my Dr.

I do have faith in this new Dr and I trust her to explain my results. I'll be back sometime tomorrow evening :)
 
Well, I have my results and it's not good news :(

Although I have to have another fasting blood test she has told me that I AM diabetic and she very much doubts it will be below 6 (my test came back at 8.1 for FBG). My HBa1c was 44. I have to provide a urine sample. She was quite helpful without being patronising . . . I was told to lose weight (I know I'm very overweight). She said she didn't mind what type of diet I do as long as I lose weight.

I was told she can refer me to Weight Watchers or Slimming World and I can get this free for 3 months. I think I may have to claim the money back so will need to check this if I go with it. I was told that after the 2nd test I would then be contacted by the Diabetic Nurse.

She wants me to try to manage it with diet and by losing weight. If that doesn't work then she will look at medication.

I've booked another blood test for next Thursday but like she says I now have to accept I'm diabetic. However, when I mentioned avoiding carbs she said I needed a high fibre diet and lots of fruit/veg as well as low fat :confused:

You'll be hearing a lot more from me over the next few weeks

P.S. The other tests came back as normal so I'm not menopausal and my thyroid is ok. She didn't say anything about the haemoglobin and I didn't ask. I guess the receptionist may have got muddled with the figures?
 
tigerlily72 said:
Well, I have my results and it's not good news :(

Although I have to have another fasting blood test she has told me that I AM diabetic and she very much doubts it will be below 6 (my test came back at 8.1 for FBG). My HBa1c was 44. I have to provide a urine sample. She was quite helpful without being patronising . . . I was told to lose weight (I know I'm very overweight). She said she didn't mind what type of diet I do as long as I lose weight.

I was told she can refer me to Weight Watchers or Slimming World and I can get this free for 3 months. I think I may have to claim the money back so will need to check this if I go with it. I was told that after the 2nd test I would then be contacted by the Diabetic Nurse.

She wants me to try to manage it with diet and by losing weight. If that doesn't work then she will look at medication.

I've booked another blood test for next Thursday but like she says I now have to accept I'm diabetic. However, when I mentioned avoiding carbs she said I needed a high fibre diet and lots of fruit/veg as well as low fat :confused:

You'll be hearing a lot more from me over the next few weeks

P.S. The other tests came back as normal so I'm not menopausal and my thyroid is ok. She didn't say anything about the haemoglobin and I didn't ask. I guess the receptionist may have got muddled with the figures?
Click to expand...
You can get fibre from veges and fruits like berries and the occasional apple. If that's not enough to keep you regular I suggest psyllium (metamucil). Ignore what she said about low fat, she's not up to date.

I think the receptionist was muddled about the Hb.
 
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