8 Months Since Type 2 Diagnosis

AdamJames

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,338
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
As my title suggests, 8 months ago today I received a Type 2 diagnosis out of the blue (I had just had an annual blood test as I’m on BP meds). I found this forum that day and haven’t looked back. I found oodles of info that made sense, not the NHS rubbish Eatwell Plate and don’t test, quite the contrary, low carbing and self testing was the route I took. Initially 100g of carbs and 8 tests per day. Now I’m currently eating 50-70g of carbs per day and testing 4-6 times depending what else is going on in my life, illness, stress etc... and I continue on Metformin.
I now have a non diabetic HbA1c and have lost 5 stone in weight. I feel better than I have done in years. I’m currently on crutches after major surgery on my foot just before Christmas but am coping well, not sure I would have if I still carried the extra 5 stone. My sugars were a little raised after surgery but soon dropped back to my normal.
I have immense praise for this Forum, the admins, the moderators and all the Jo public contributors, there is so much expertise here and always a response to be had, whatever the question.
Thank you, thank you everyone! :happy:

Congratulations!

I take particular inspiration from you because we seem to be on a similarly epic weight loss journey, and your approach to LCHF seems moderate with lots of nice food while still getting great results. Still haven't tried the lemon shortbread recipe but it's next on my list when I can be bothered actually putting the oven on.

I also like a girl who posts graphs, of course. I've searched elsewhere on the Internet for that kind of thing but there doesn't seem to be much demand for it. It's nice to know I can come here for my fix :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: GeminiMum

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,810
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
F512B8A0-E11C-4E0F-BA1B-7C7EDA5D18BF.jpeg
Congratulations!

I take particular inspiration from you because we seem to be on a similarly epic weight loss journey, and your approach to LCHF seems moderate with lots of nice food while still getting great results. Still haven't tried the lemon shortbread recipe but it's next on my list when I can be bothered actually putting the oven on.

I also like a girl who posts graphs, of course. I've searched elsewhere on the Internet for that kind of thing but there doesn't seem to be much demand for it. It's nice to know I can come here for my fix :)
Don’t forget to add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the shortbread biscuits to make them extra lemony!
Here’s a graph to keep you going, normality is resumed!
 

AdamJames

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,338
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
View attachment 24907
Don’t forget to add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the shortbread biscuits to make them extra lemony!
Here’s a graph to keep you going, normality is resumed!

Haha! Oh dear, you know what's really sad? I knew instantly from looking at your graph, which peak corresponded to illness and which one was being in hospital! I seem to have a photographic memory for graphs :)

Oh yes I remember the lemon extract tip, I'll be doing that!
 

acs1951

Active Member
Messages
43
Type of diabetes
Type 2
So looking at this graph am I right in saying Glucose levels can go up if you are ill? I only ask because after 3 weeks around 6.0 my pre breakfast level today was 6.9 for no apparent reason except I have a bad cold? In the 8 month period since I was diagnosed T2 my HBAC1 has gone from 124 down to 44 and why cant we have both measurements on the same scale?
 

Toxicblue

Member
Messages
15
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
At this moment in time I have been on metformin for two months now, and no side effects plus I have been to the hospital about my tablets and talked about diets, I nearly fell asleep it bored me silly, yet I have another next week I felt as if I was in a rehab, other than the blood tests I have got a clue what my sugar levels should be, I don't know what to do if my blood sugars are up or down I have no way of knowing so at the moment I have gone down the common sense road, I use canderel instead of sugar and cut out biscuits and cakes, I don't know when I see the nurse next and am getting a bit tired of the blood tests am not a pin cushion, when do I get a blood pricker? so I can check my sugar levels sorry for the moan but it's 7am and I haven't been asleep
 

CherryAA

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,171
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
My next A1c will be end of the month.

Currently on 46% (pre-diabetic range).

My plans are -

If the next A1c reads 39-35%, I’ll be celebrating at a big Chinese “Stuff As Much As You Can” Buffet.

If it’s 34-30%, I’ll be celebrating in a much bigger Chinese Buffet (opposite) for lunch and an Indian Buffet for dinner ....probably McDonalds afterwards!

If the next results reads 40-45%, I’ll most probably just cry and watch TV!

Laugh Out Loud!
Well if you do actually decide to do that e ready for the subsequent tummy ache and generally feeling rubbish . I know I tried it :)

*Edited to remove swear word
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: ziggy_w

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,810
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
So looking at this graph am I right in saying Glucose levels can go up if you are ill? I only ask because after 3 weeks around 6.0 my pre breakfast level today was 6.9 for no apparent reason except I have a bad cold? In the 8 month period since I was diagnosed T2 my HBAC1 has gone from 124 down to 44 and why cant we have both measurements on the same scale?
Absolutely! On my graph the first spike with an orange dot was the day I woke up with a chest infection and a temperature of 39.4c. The second higher spike is the day I had an operation on one foot and a steroid injection in the other foot. Your bad cold could well be the cause of your higher numbers. Get well soon x
 

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,810
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
At this moment in time I have been on metformin for two months now, and no side effects plus I have been to the hospital about my tablets and talked about diets, I nearly fell asleep it bored me silly, yet I have another next week I felt as if I was in a rehab, other than the blood tests I have got a clue what my sugar levels should be, I don't know what to do if my blood sugars are up or down I have no way of knowing so at the moment I have gone down the common sense road, I use canderel instead of sugar and cut out biscuits and cakes, I don't know when I see the nurse next and am getting a bit tired of the blood tests am not a pin cushion, when do I get a blood pricker? so I can check my sugar levels sorry for the moan but it's 7am and I haven't been asleep
Have you seen the info @daisy1 posts for newbies?
 

moleman

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Well done Rachox. I too find these forums a great help, both medically and psychologically. I've just been diagnosed about a year but given testing equipment a month ago, so had a bit of a downer realising that it's "real" now and I've got to get my finger out, so to speak.
Losing 5 stone too, well done that lady!
 

Juicyj

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
9,018
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Hypos, rude people, ignorance and grey days.
Hi @Toxicblue - we can always move your post into it's own thread for better visibility - let me know if you would like it moved by tagging me, so @Juicyj best wishes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rachox

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Rachox

Hello Rachox and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to 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 well over 235,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,810
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
@Rachox

Hello Rachox and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to 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 well over 235,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
Err.... I’ve been a member of this fantastic forum for eight months now. I tagged you as @Toxicblue is a newbie who’s put their first post here on my thread.
 

AdamJames

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,338
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Err.... I’ve been a member of this fantastic forum for eight months now. I tagged you as @Toxicblue is a newbie who’s put their first post here on my thread.

Haha! Clearly a clerical error has occurred :)

Anyway, hello Rachox and Daisy1, and welcome to the forum!