Hello from Houston!
- Thread starter micamica1941
- Start Date
Welcome @micamica1941! I will tag @daisy1 who will be along with some helpful information for you. In the meantime, browse the forum and if you have any questions ask away!
Guzzler
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Hello and welcome, there are a few of your countrymen and women here so pull up a chair and join in.
Liam1955
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LouWilk059
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Welcome to the forum! There are plenty of friendly people here who can help you find the information you're looking for. Check out the posts and join in.
@micamica1941 Hello and Welcome from Sydney down under. If I may ask, what was your blood glucose level and HbA1c like. This place has helped me a lot. Are you using a meter to measure blood. Have you been given Metformin or another drug. Everybody is different but I found the most important aspects of blood glucose control are:
1. If you're overweight, lose it. Made a whopping difference.
2. Use the meter to work out what effects certain foods have on you. Especially carbohydrates.
3. Keep the carbs low. Everybody is different but I have no more than 20g per meal. Maybe 30g if it is low GI. We all have our comfort levels. Some are higher than my 20g and some are lower.
4. Daily exercise.
5. Vigilance and discipline.
Drugs like Metformin only have a fairly minor effect. Mostly moderating glucose release from the liver. It is a mistake to think you can eat what you want because of the drugs. Doesn't work that way, they can't compensate for what you put in your belly.
Anyway, best of luck. Even with the time difference between countries, this site has been a real eye opener.
Glenn
1. If you're overweight, lose it. Made a whopping difference.
2. Use the meter to work out what effects certain foods have on you. Especially carbohydrates.
3. Keep the carbs low. Everybody is different but I have no more than 20g per meal. Maybe 30g if it is low GI. We all have our comfort levels. Some are higher than my 20g and some are lower.
4. Daily exercise.
5. Vigilance and discipline.
Drugs like Metformin only have a fairly minor effect. Mostly moderating glucose release from the liver. It is a mistake to think you can eat what you want because of the drugs. Doesn't work that way, they can't compensate for what you put in your belly.
Anyway, best of luck. Even with the time difference between countries, this site has been a real eye opener.
Glenn
daisy1
Legend
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@micamica1941
Hello micamica1941 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 need to 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:
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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
Hello micamica1941 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 need to 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
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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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.
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achike
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 64
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
micamica1941 you are welcome to this friendly and informative forum. Diabetes Type 2 is condition that requires personal discipline on diet, exercise, lifestyle and appropriate medication.
Once you have started stabilisation with your Diabetic Team please let the forum know areas of your concern.
Many diabetics know more about diabetic care based on personal experience than trained medical doctors.
Sent from my E6683 using DCUK Forum mobile app
Once you have started stabilisation with your Diabetic Team please let the forum know areas of your concern.
Many diabetics know more about diabetic care based on personal experience than trained medical doctors.
Sent from my E6683 using DCUK Forum mobile app
Hello micamica1941, you will get some good advice on this site.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Diabetes Forum mobile app
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Diabetes Forum mobile app
Robinredbreast
Oracle
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Smallbrit
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- Diet only
Welcome! I used to live in Austin and Dallas, though I live in Wales now. Cat in my avatar also used to live in Austin and Dallas and is now in Wales
