Newbie at the start of a long road.

[sudsandsoda]

Hi all,

Was diagnosed a week ago based on symptoms (weight loss, frequency, thirst) as well as high urine glucose and keytone. A year previously I’d had a 6.1 A1C so was warned to keep an eye on it.

Only just had my recent A1C through and it’s 10.9 .

Since my diagnosis last week I’ve been on a strict diet and have managed to keep my blood glucose numbers around 6.5-8 mmol. Which we’re 20-16 at diagnosis.
Decided not to take the Metformin until I could see what diet changes would do but I’m worried that with such a high A1C it may be needed, possibly with insulin.

Have also been putting extra effort into getting my 10k steps in.

My diet was already relatively healthy apart from bread and rice, but being super strict on carbs seems to have made a big difference. Especially in my energy levels! Was already pretty slim but have shed 8 kilos in less then 4 months so need to up calories too which is a challenge.

Anyone else been able to reduce their A1C from such a height with lifestyle changes alone?

Jx

 

[Guzzler]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Tagging @daisy1 for the info pack offered to all newcomers.

Many members have been successful in their efforts to improve Diabetes management, achieve remission or reversal and to improve their general well being with lifestyle changes alone. Have a quick look at the Testimonials and Success Stories part of the forum for inspiration and members' stories on how their journeys began and how they are currently.

Have a wander around the forum and ask as many questions as you like.

 

[sudsandsoda]

Thanks so much. Looking forward to being part of the forum and learning from you all.

Have had a good read of the welcome pack in a sticky post .

So much reassuring information on here.

Thanks again.

 

[ziggy_w]

Hello and welcome to the forum, @sudsandsoda,

Well done on reducing your blood sugar levels considerably in such a short time. This is definitely a good sign.

I was diagnosed with an HbA1c of 100 (or 11.3%) three and half year ago and was able to lower it to non-diabetic levels for my next test three months later (albeit on metformin for the first year). Have stayed at non-diabetic levels since, latest HbA1c was 4.9%.

Many here have achieved a similar reduction in blood sugar levels, so I think chances are pretty good that you won't need to go onto insulin or even any other medication, especially given what you have been able to achieve in just a single week.

Have a look around the forum and ask any questions that might come up. There are loads of helpful, knowledgeable and friendly people on this forum eager to help.

 

[Rachox]

Hi sudsandsoda and welcome! Well done on your progress so far.
I see you’ve found daisy1’s info post. I chose to take Metformin in conjunction with low carb eating and have now kept my HbA1c at a non diabetic level for over 18 months. Insulin is way down the line, if at all, for a type 2 if you stick around this Forum. Ask any questions you may have, there’ll always be someone to help

 

[Bluetit1802]

Just want to say hello and welcome as there isn't much I can add to all the above.

 

[Traceymac23]

Hi all,

Was diagnosed a week ago based on symptoms (weight loss, frequency, thirst) as well as high urine glucose and keytone. A year previously I’d had a 6.1 A1C so was warned to keep an eye on it.

Only just had my recent A1C through and it’s 10.9 .

Since my diagnosis last week I’ve been on a strict diet and have managed to keep my blood glucose numbers around 6.5-8 mmol. Which we’re 20-16 at diagnosis.
Decided not to take the Metformin until I could see what diet changes would do but I’m worried that with such a high A1C it may be needed, possibly with insulin.

Have also been putting extra effort into getting my 10k steps in.

My diet was already relatively healthy apart from bread and rice, but being super strict on carbs seems to have made a big difference. Especially in my energy levels! Was already pretty slim but have shed 8 kilos in less then 4 months so need to up calories too which is a challenge.

Anyone else been able to reduce their A1C from such a height with lifestyle changes alone?

Jx

Well done so far....but as you say yourself it is a long road........but it IS possible to put this horrible condition into remission......sometimes with meds,sometimes with diet and sometimes with a mixture of both....you will,with persistence,self testing and experience learn the best road for YOU

 

[Daibell]

Hi. My HBA1C at diagnosis was 12% but with a strict diet and Metformin plus Gliclazide I was able initially to reduce it down to 6.5% over a year or so. If you are a genuine T2 with insulin resistance thru some excess weight then you should be able to maintain a good HbA1c. If, however, you are in fact a late onset T1 in the honeymoon period and quite slim with a declining pancreas then insulin will eventually be needed. Only time will tell. Keep going with the low-carb diet and forget you ever heard of calories as they are irrelevant. Just have enough fats and proteins to keep you feeling full together with the low-carb diet. You can tweak all three to get the BS and weight right and take meds as well if needed.

 

[Debandez]

Hi all,

Was diagnosed a week ago based on symptoms (weight loss, frequency, thirst) as well as high urine glucose and keytone. A year previously I’d had a 6.1 A1C so was warned to keep an eye on it.

Only just had my recent A1C through and it’s 10.9 .

Since my diagnosis last week I’ve been on a strict diet and have managed to keep my blood glucose numbers around 6.5-8 mmol. Which we’re 20-16 at diagnosis.
Decided not to take the Metformin until I could see what diet changes would do but I’m worried that with such a high A1C it may be needed, possibly with insulin.

Have also been putting extra effort into getting my 10k steps in.

My diet was already relatively healthy apart from bread and rice, but being super strict on carbs seems to have made a big difference. Especially in my energy levels! Was already pretty slim but have shed 8 kilos in less then 4 months so need to up calories too which is a challenge.

Anyone else been able to reduce their A1C from such a height with lifestyle changes alone?

Jx

Hi and welcome.

Just to give you an idea what can be done I've attached a sheet (a4) of the results of just a few forum members (I collated for a meeting we held last Sept).

At dx I was 7.8. (Dec '17). Declined meds. Went on a lchf way of eating. Reduced to pre diabetic by Feb '18 and non diabetic by May where I remain. Just had my latest hba1c and Diabetic nurse has said I'm officially in remission. All down to lchf (and monitoring my BS closely) and the amazing forum members on here!

 

[daisy1]

@sudsandsoda
Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

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 300,000 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.

 

[Prem51]

Welcome to the forum @sudsandsoda, you will get a lot of good advice and support on here.

 

[sudsandsoda]

Hi and welcome.

Just to give you an idea what can be done I've attached a sheet (a4) of the results of just a few forum members (I collated for a meeting we held last Sept).

At dx I was 7.8. (Dec '17). Declined meds. Went on a lchf way of eating. Reduced to pre diabetic by Feb '18 and non diabetic by May where I remain. Just had my latest hba1c and Diabetic nurse has said I'm officially in remission. All down to lchf (and monitoring my BS closely) and the amazing forum members on here!

This is amazing! Thank you.

 

[sudsandsoda]

Just had a follow up with my doctor. He wasn’t 100% impressed that I’d delayed the Metformin and was a little concerned about my diet changes.

I feel that he’s very much a medicine man, but I’m still excited about the progress I’m making with diet alone.

He has asked me again to start taking the Metformin, which I guess I should do.

Appointment with the diabetes team in a few weeks time.l so interested to see what they say.

Thanks again for all your posts.

 

[KK123]

Hi all,

Was diagnosed a week ago based on symptoms (weight loss, frequency, thirst) as well as high urine glucose and keytone. A year previously I’d had a 6.1 A1C so was warned to keep an eye on it.

Only just had my recent A1C through and it’s 10.9 .

Since my diagnosis last week I’ve been on a strict diet and have managed to keep my blood glucose numbers around 6.5-8 mmol. Which we’re 20-16 at diagnosis.
Decided not to take the Metformin until I could see what diet changes would do but I’m worried that with such a high A1C it may be needed, possibly with insulin.

Have also been putting extra effort into getting my 10k steps in.

My diet was already relatively healthy apart from bread and rice, but being super strict on carbs seems to have made a big difference. Especially in my energy levels! Was already pretty slim but have shed 8 kilos in less then 4 months so need to up calories too which is a challenge.

Anyone else been able to reduce their A1C from such a height with lifestyle changes alone?

Jx

Hi there, did they say you were definitely type 2?, the reason I ask is because I presented pretty much like you and turned out to be type 1 (based on a GAD test and a C Peptide test). My glucose was sky high, ketones were high and my h1ac was 15%, and 2 years previous to that I also was diagnosed as 'pre diabetic' which I now think could have been a honeymoon period. x

 

[Traceymac23]

Just had a follow up with my doctor.

He has asked me again to start taking the Metformin, which I guess I should do

Don't think that's a bad idea to be honest although some will advocate dietary change alone but I think that diet AND meds is best at the start and then think about reducing/eliminating meds?

 

[sudsandsoda]

Hi there, did they say you were definitely type 2?, the reason I ask is because I presented pretty much like you and turned out to be type 1 (based on a GAD test and a C Peptide test). My glucose was sky high, ketones were high and my h1ac was 15%, and 2 years previous to that I also was diagnosed as 'pre diabetic' which I now think could have been a honeymoon period. x

They’re not 100% yet. Don’t think I’ll know until I get to see the diabetes team in a months time.

 

[sudsandsoda]

Don't think that's a bad idea to be honest although some will advocate dietary change alone but I think that diet AND meds is best at the start and then think about reducing/eliminating meds?

Ok. Thank you. Just really anxious about the stomach based side effects.

 

[Jantib]

Hi all,

Was diagnosed a week ago based on symptoms (weight loss, frequency, thirst) as well as high urine glucose and keytone. A year previously I’d had a 6.1 A1C so was warned to keep an eye on it.

Only just had my recent A1C through and it’s 10.9 .

Since my diagnosis last week I’ve been on a strict diet and have managed to keep my blood glucose numbers around 6.5-8 mmol. Which we’re 20-16 at diagnosis.
Decided not to take the Metformin until I could see what diet changes would do but I’m worried that with such a high A1C it may be needed, possibly with insulin.

Have also been putting extra effort into getting my 10k steps in.

My diet was already relatively healthy apart from bread and rice, but being super strict on carbs seems to have made a big difference. Especially in my energy levels! Was already pretty slim but have shed 8 kilos in less then 4 months so need to up calories too which is a challenge.

Anyone else been able to reduce their A1C from such a height with lifestyle changes alone?

Jx

 

[Jantib]

Hi there - same symptoms I had in 1948, at the age of 5. Please be reassured that you will eventually come to terms with this challents. You will become familiar with the carbohydrate values of food, the need to monitor your blood glucose and exercise. It will all seem very difficult to come to terms with if you are an adult and used to the usual high carb iintake of todays generation. However, please just listen to what your diabetic team tell you, take notes if necessary,make sure you keep records of your food intake and blood levels. Eventually you will be able to judge food just from looking at a plate when out and adjust your insulin/eating accordingly. At the moment conentrate on keeping calm as stress will also affect your levels and gradually adjust your insulin or diet as you gradually know what is really neessary. when I was diagnosed diabetics had very littlegadgets or such highly organised diabetic teams to help them learn the ropes. My parents encouraged encouraged me to live a pretty normal childhood despite carrying notes to various birthday parties saying 'only let Jan have two slices of bread and no trifle just a piece of fruit'. Nowadays all food you buy in the shops has its nutritional value printed on it and you can work out whether you need to have a little bit or half a tin or half a packet - whatever. I have managed to read two daughters and subsuequent grandchhildren who DO NOT HAVE DIABETES. I have travelled, youth hostelled, had a demending full time job and remaiin active in retirement. Do not look on diabetes as a problem - treat it as a challenge and remember that type 1s who stick too their very rarely gain weight . Yes you have a lot to learn at the moment but given time you will 'know what is happening' when you eat, exercise, etc. Little steps. My readings are not perfect but with the nex Libre sensor I can actually see what is happening without blood tests innumerable times in the day - this is marvellous - oh to have had that as a child. Last year I got a medal from the Diabetic Association for having diabetes for 70 years - so please be assured you CAN lead a good life as a diabetic - just treat it as a challenge or even a difficult game which you need to get on top of. give yourself a star whenever you get your results within the right levels - PLEASE DO NOT WRITE YOURSELF OFF. We have diabetic footballers and even boxers - it is far better to have diabetes than be disabled - like me you can go out, drive, go dancing and whatever - just take your time - you WILL GET THERE. ALL THE VERY BEST FROM AN OLDIE.