Newly Diagnosed Type 2

[michaelm23]

Hi All,

Was diagnosed unexpectedly by my GP with Type 2 diabetes last week - was basically then given a leaflet book about diabetes, a prescription for Metformin and told I will receive a letter from Endocrinologist with appointment (I don't have private insurance). The GP then basically said you'll soon know more about T2 than me and left me to it. GP also said that my reading was for blood sugar was 55(I think? not sure as all happened very quickly) and that it was on a level where almost I would not have to start on Metformin but should to be cautious (obviously though I am having the symptom I will later describe below) GP also said I had very low testosterone and I should start Testosterone therapy.

I have started reading this forum and just wanted to outline my specific situation below to see if any advice as I currently have had know one with knowledge to speak to on this subject.

I am 31 years old, 72kgs and athletic build, heavily involved in sports and a lot of the initial reading I did seemed to be around weight loss in order to control the illness so I was wondering firstly how I got it, and secondly what can do to get better.

ED - This was basically my only discernable symptom that led to me getting the blood test and this is probably my main concern at moment in leading a normal, happier life. I initially went to my doctor 2 years ago (different GP now retired and replaced by above one) as I had been suffering from ED for about 3 years at that point. In hindsight it has become clear that he didn't know anything on subject as he did not send me for any blood tests and prescribed Cialis and sildenafil. I initially had some success with the sildenafil but in hindsight of this diagnosis I am thinking that this was on a backpacking holiday where I possibly wasn't eating much at all so glucose was lower?

After the initial stages though the sildenafil stopped working which led me to return to GP above in which I had hoped to find it was due to Testosterone or something along those lines, wasn't expecting diabetes. Having done more reading now - I am worried that the issue may be permanent nerve damage? I have not lost feeling in penis but can only achieve semi-erection at best in sexual encounters, I can still ejaculate from masturbation from the other person etc.
So I am trying to find out if there is hope for me since I'm apparently only above the threshold for treatment that if I take metformin and have testosterone treatment will I be able to recover or even get back to a point where the sildenafil is working which wouldn't bother me - its just nothing working at moment even with that.

Caffeine - I would drink a lot of caffeine but they would be zero calorie and sugar drinks. Monster/red bull zero or Coke zero etc. Is caffeine a problem for me to still take in high quantity as a T2?

Alcohol - I would drink a lot at weekends, since diagnosis I have started looking up what are the lowest carb beers such as Heineken light (7g), is it ok to have several of these in one sitting i.e. once the total carbs remain low? if I changed totally to vodka mixed with diet coke so there is zero carbs would this be ok? I am also wondering if I am on metformin will this mix bad with alcohol? I would go on a lot of weekend music festivals etc. - so if I led really clean up until them could my body tolerate a 3 day higher binge of carbs and alcohol on occasion?

Diet - I had been having a energy drink and protein bar for breakfast, bread roll with meat and a packet of crisps for lunch and then usually a large serving of rice and red meat for dinner recently. I am trying to find the lowest carb protein bar or omlette for breakfast. Replacing the bread roll at lunch with a chicken/bacon salad with small amount of dressing. and cutting out most of the rice from my evening meal. again prob most of my carbs at weekends came from drinking beer and maybe having a pizza the odd weekend.

appreciate any help on above.

thanks!

 

[Diakat]

Your diet looks like it needs an overhaul.

 

[Concordjan]

Looks like you’re already taking the right steps. Omelette for breakfast is good, salad for lunch (just be careful the dressing isn’t too sugary). Riced cauliflower is a great alternative to rice. Red wine is lower carb than beer. I expect there will be lots on here soon to give you more information. Good luck

 

[Dexterdobe]

Hi All,

Was diagnosed unexpectedly by my GP with Type 2 diabetes last week - was basically then given a leaflet book about diabetes, a prescription for Metformin and told I will receive a letter from Endocrinologist with appointment (I don't have private insurance). The GP then basically said you'll soon know more about T2 than me and left me to it. GP also said that my reading was for blood sugar was 55(I think? not sure as all happened very quickly) and that it was on a level where almost I would not have to start on Metformin but should to be cautious (obviously though I am having the symptom I will later describe below) GP also said I had very low testosterone and I should start Testosterone therapy.

I have started reading this forum and just wanted to outline my specific situation below to see if any advice as I currently have had know one with knowledge to speak to on this subject.

I am 31 years old, 72kgs and athletic build, heavily involved in sports and a lot of the initial reading I did seemed to be around weight loss in order to control the illness so I was wondering firstly how I got it, and secondly what can do to get better.

ED - This was basically my only discernable symptom that led to me getting the blood test and this is probably my main concern at moment in leading a normal, happier life. I initially went to my doctor 2 years ago (different GP now retired and replaced by above one) as I had been suffering from ED for about 3 years at that point. In hindsight it has become clear that he didn't know anything on subject as he did not send me for any blood tests and prescribed Cialis and sildenafil. I initially had some success with the sildenafil but in hindsight of this diagnosis I am thinking that this was on a backpacking holiday where I possibly wasn't eating much at all so glucose was lower? after the initial stages though the sildenafil stopped working which led me to return to GP above in which I had hoped to find it was due to Testosterone or something along those lines, wasn't expecting diabetes. Having done more reading now - I am worried that the issue may be permanent nerve damage? I have not lost feeling in penis but can only achieve semi-erection at best in sexual encounters, I can still ejaculate from masturbation from the other person etc.
So I am trying to find out if there is hope for me since I'm apparently only above the threshold for treatment that if I take metformin and have testosterone treatment will I be able to recover or even get back to a point where the sildenafil is working which wouldn't bother me - its just nothing working at moment even with that.

Caffeine - I would drink a lot of caffeine but they would be zero calorie and sugar drinks. Monster/red bull zero or Coke zero etc. Is caffeine a problem for me to still take in high quantity as a T2?

Alcohol - I would drink a lot at weekends, since diagnosis I have started looking up what are the lowest carb beers such as Heineken light (7g), is it ok to have several of these in one sitting i.e. once the total carbs remain low? if I changed totally to vodka mixed with diet coke so there is zero carbs would this be ok? I am also wondering if I am on metformin will this mix bad with alcohol? I would go on a lot of weekend music festivals etc. - so if I led really clean up until them could my body tolerate a 3 day higher binge of carbs and alcohol on occasion?

Diet - I had been having a energy drink and protein bar for breakfast, break roll with meat and a packet of crisps for lunch and then usually a large serving of rice and red meat for dinner recently. I am trying to find the lowest carb protein bar or omlette for breakfast. Replacing the bread roll at lunch with a chicken/bacon salad with small amount of dressing. and cutting out most of the rice from my evening meal. again prob most of my carbs at weekends came from drinking beer and maybe having a pizza the odd weekend.

appreciate any help on above.

thanks!

You really need to go back to your doctor/diabetes nurse to find out what exactly is going on. If the reading of 55 was for an HBA1c blood test then you are diabetic, but not dangerously so and careful diet and lots of exercise could be a viable alternative to medication. I was diagnose with a reading of 53 and got it down to 40 in six months with no medication. I too had ED, but it has improved a lot since I got my blood numbers down. It's far from hopeless, but it takes long term dedication as there is currently no cure for diabetes. BUT, I'm not medically trained and you MUST get more information and advice from your medical team. Then come back and bash this forum to get information about low carb/high fat diets 'cause you won't get that from the NHS.
Good luck.

 

[michaelm23]

You really need to go back to your doctor/diabetes nurse to find out what exactly is going on. If the reading of 55 was for an HBA1c blood test then you are diabetic, but not dangerously so and careful diet and lots of exercise could be a viable alternative to medication. I was diagnose with a reading of 53 and got it down to 40 in six months with no medication. I too had ED, but it has improved a lot since I got my blood numbers down. It's far from hopeless, but it takes long term dedication as there is currently no cure for diabetes. BUT, I'm not medically trained and you MUST get more information and advice from your medical team. Then come back and bash this forum to get information about low carb/high fat diets 'cause you won't get that from the NHS.
Good luck.

thanks for your response - thing is I am in the gym or playing football maybe 6 times a week so I can't really do anymore there. I am going to try cut out the carbs from diet but stopping drinking would be a stuggle for me so was wondering about things like vodka and diet coke above. I think 55 that was number (I wasnt sure the meaning of what was being said when i saw this so don't fully remember) as she said to wait until I get my free medical card as she isn't concerned I urgently go on medication - but she sent a letter to the hospital for me to see a specialist so waiting to hear on that.

so if possible I should try not to go on metformin? can I ask did you have to do testosterone therapy and use things like Sildenafil to improve ED?

Your diet looks like it needs an overhaul.

i'm just putting out what I had been doing - as was saying im a regular gym goer and very quite lean physique so what I had been eating in terms of carbs etc hadn't been a problem for me. a lot of the information I saw was about over weight people i.e. eating less generally.

 

[michaelm23]

Looks like you’re already taking the right steps. Omelette for breakfast is good, salad for lunch (just be careful the dressing isn’t too sugary). Riced cauliflower is a great alternative to rice. Red wine is lower carb than beer. I expect there will be lots on here soon to give you more information. Good luck

ive seen some information saying not to have more than 17 drinks a week and then others saying a diabetic man should never have more than 2 alcholic drinks a day so kind of confused about that! also I am switching to lower carb drinks but thing is could be having multiple in a smaller time - does it come down to overall carbs you have in a day or within a certain time?

 

[Rachox]

Just popped in to say hi and welcome to the forum and to post this useful info link for you:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/
Also here is some information on Metformin, diabetes and alcohol:
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/metformin-alcohol#about-metformin

 

[JoKalsbeek]

ive seen some information saying not to have more than 17 drinks a week and then others saying a diabetic man should never have more than 2 alcholic drinks a day so kind of confused about that! also I am switching to lower carb drinks but thing is could be having multiple in a smaller time - does it come down to overall carbs you have in a day or within a certain time?

For a diabetic, it all depends on a number of factors, and there's no answer that just covers every single base. A liver can't multi-task, so if you take things that lower your bloodsugar (gliclazide, insulin), and you go low while drinking, it'll just keep filtering alcohol rather than keep you from going hypo by dumping glucose. So there's that to consider, as you seem to be weighing your medicinal options too. Most T2's have metabolic syndrome, meaning they have a number of conditions, from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and (non-alcoholic) fatty liver disease. My liver was so far gone when I was diagnosed that I could barely look at a shot glass of liquor, or anything lighter really, without being in pain in the liver area, and it going straight to my swimming head and tingling limbs. If your liverfunction's okay and you're not on bloodglucose lowering medication, you can drink, otherwise.... Not such a hot idea. Liver cirrhosis is no joke, it can kill you. So make sure you can safely drink, and if you do, go for the low carb stuff, always. If you have a bunch of Heineken beers in one go you'll spike your bloodsugars and that's no good, (something tells me you don't have a meter) but other brands are more than doable. (I'm Dutch, and I am advising someone not to drink Heineken...?! Oh ye gods, I think I just broke the universe.). Try https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/alcohol on for size. Anything in there you'd be okay with? Socially, and liver-wise?

...ED and alcohol... Not an ideal combo either. Just something to consider. I haven't met a guy yet who performed well with a few knocked back, and none of those guys were diabetic with a pre-existing ED issue. Just sayin'.

 

[Daibell]

Hi and welcome. First, 31yrs old is quite young for T2 especially when active. It is always possible you are a Late onset T1 in what's called the Honeymoon period. If you start losing weight without trying or your BS goes up then discuss this possibility with the GP. Yes, your diet could do with some improvement especially that rice. How much sugar is in the energy drink; I suspect a lot? Focus on fats and proteins to give you the energy and nutrients you need. More than a small quantity of carbs will generally only be needed to provide short term energy if you do a lot of athletics. Metformin is a safe drug but never does that much. The leaflet says not to take it with alcohol but many of us do have some alcohol with it but you imply you do take a lot? Caffeine shouldn't be a problem with diabetes

 

[michaelm23]

Hi and welcome. First, 31yrs old is quite young for T2 especially when active. It is always possible you are a Late onset T1 in what's called the Honeymoon period. If you start losing weight without trying or your BS goes up then discuss this possibility with the GP. Yes, your diet could do with some improvement especially that rice. How much sugar is in the energy drink; I suspect a lot? Focus on fats and proteins to give you the energy and nutrients you need. More than a small quantity of carbs will generally only be needed to provide short term energy if you do a lot of athletics. Metformin is a safe drug but never does that much. The leaflet says not to take it with alcohol but many of us do have some alcohol with it but you imply you do take a lot? Caffeine shouldn't be a problem with diabetes

Thank you - ive pretty much been around the same weight for past 5/6 years. I had my body scanned and was under 10% body fat and told this is better than 90% of my peers. My athletic performance is very high still at my age so really unsure what's happened. Could I ask what you mean by late onset T1? I am trying to get appointment set up with endocrinologist as soon as possible but have to get private health insurance set up through work. My GP only told me I was T2 based on the blood test but she didn't seem an expert so im now worried could be T1.​

​

the energy drinks and soft drinks I have are all zero calorie, zero sugar but some are high caffeine and im sure have other things in them I was wondering if could be harmful or if lots of caffeine was harmful to T2.​

​

I drink a lot on say a Saturday night or I could have a weekend away where I would be drinking for 2 days on and off say a weekend away with friends. I have yet to receive metformin yet can I just not take it on a certain day if I'm drinking that day? or even as I said if I try to switch to zero carb alcohols like vodka instead of beer. the last thing I want is to drink while on some medication and collapse or be sick with friends (I have never had this happen or felt ill bar the usual hangover from drinking)​

 

[michaelm23]

I am quite worried now after talking to someone with Type 1 who was also not overweight same as myself that my GP has just told me I am Type 2 purely off my 55 HBA1c blood test? and being thin and active would be more a Type 1 or is 55 not high enough to be Type 1?

though the ED symptom seems to be more a type 2 thing?​

 

[michaelm23]

For a diabetic, it all depends on a number of factors, and there's no answer that just covers every single base. A liver can't multi-task, so if you take things that lower your bloodsugar (gliclazide, insulin), and you go low while drinking, it'll just keep filtering alcohol rather than keep you from going hypo by dumping glucose. So there's that to consider, as you seem to be weighing your medicinal options too. Most T2's have metabolic syndrome, meaning they have a number of conditions, from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and (non-alcoholic) fatty liver disease. My liver was so far gone when I was diagnosed that I could barely look at a shot glass of liquor, or anything lighter really, without being in pain in the liver area, and it going straight to my swimming head and tingling limbs. If your liverfunction's okay and you're not on bloodglucose lowering medication, you can drink, otherwise.... Not such a hot idea. Liver cirrhosis is no joke, it can kill you. So make sure you can safely drink, and if you do, go for the low carb stuff, always. If you have a bunch of Heineken beers in one go you'll spike your bloodsugars and that's no good, (something tells me you don't have a meter) but other brands are more than doable. (I'm Dutch, and I am advising someone not to drink Heineken...?! Oh ye gods, I think I just broke the universe.). Try https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/alcohol on for size. Anything in there you'd be okay with? Socially, and liver-wise?

...ED and alcohol... Not an ideal combo either. Just something to consider. I haven't met a guy yet who performed well with a few knocked back, and none of those guys were diabetic with a pre-existing ED issue. Just sayin'.

Thanks for response - I'm not on any medications as yet. I was wondering if it would be a risk then to drink if I'm on that medication and if I just don't take meds for a certain day can I drink.
I looked at your chart for example and i'm wondering if its ok to have vodka and diet coke so as it has no carbs. But you are saying diabetes effects the liver which is more what I was getting at I'm wondering realistically is it actually no longer safe at all for me to drink heavily any time regardless of the carbs. As this would be huge lifestyle change for me at weekends.

How would I find out about my liver or would my doctor have told me this in my blood test when told me I'm T2? I am hoping that I have caught it early that won't have been much damage brought by diabetes with me being not overweight as I would have been a heavy drinker over the years so that could be disastrous if I had other liver issues while I was drinking. I assume you don't get diabetes from to begin with from drinking too much?

Haha yes unfortunately if all I had to do was give up drink to cure ED that would be great! but this is an all the time thing for me unfortunately so hoping testosterone and metformin can help me at least get back to where sildenafil is working! the situations do arise more often than not while out drinking though but I'm not talking about being black out drunk.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thanks for response - I'm not on any medications as yet. I was wondering if it would be a risk then to drink if I'm on that medication and if I just don't take meds for a certain day can I drink.
I looked at your chart for example and i'm wondering if its ok to have vodka and diet coke so as it has no carbs. But you are saying diabetes effects the liver which is more what I was getting at I'm wondering realistically is it actually no longer safe at all for me to drink heavily any time regardless of the carbs. As this would be huge lifestyle change for me at weekends.

How would I find out about my liver or would my doctor have told me this in my blood test when told me I'm T2? I am hoping that I have caught it early that won't have been much damage brought by diabetes with me being not overweight as I would have been a heavy drinker over the years so that could be disastrous if I had other liver issues while I was drinking. I assume you don't get diabetes from to begin with from drinking too much?

Haha yes unfortunately if all I had to do was give up drink to cure ED that would be great! but this is an all the time thing for me unfortunately so hoping testosterone and metformin can help me at least get back to where sildenafil is working! the situations do arise more often than not while out drinking though but I'm not talking about being black out drunk.

Usually, medication like metformin is cumulative... You don't stop for a day and resume. Same goes for glic. You don't take it, your bloodsugars go up. (Unless you're on a low carb high fat diet and your control is, without a doubt, excellent.). I don't think you'll be looking at insulin any time soon, but it does happen that people on insulin hypo to death because their liver doesn't jump in, as it was too busy sorting out the alcohol, and they're too drunk to wake or respond properly to the hypo. Thing is, with non-overweight T2's, they're most often SOFI: skinny outside, fat inside. You can't tell when looking at your stomach area, but fat can be piled upon the liver and pancreas, messing up your insulin sensitivity. And still have a perfect six pack at the same time. You can get a blood test to check your liver function, and an ultrasound to see what it's up to. For me, I was most certainly overweight, but the fat on my liver was so extremely dense, they thought it was one big tumerous mass, and I was weeks away from dying. (Yay for being wrong!) On the low carb diet I got my liverfunction back within normal range. No scarring, thankfully. If they do another ultrasound they'll probably still see something, but nothing resembling certain death, and in functionality, my liver's fine now. And you really, really want a working liver, when your diabetic. It's one of those things that gets damaged along the way if you're not careful, and you don't want to start with a messed-up one.

I don't drink a drop anymore. I didn't have much to begin with, because I have been blessed with an addicive personality, but after diagnosis, that was it. Haven't had anything since. I'm fine on my tea, double espresso's and sparkling water. I guess it's just something you'll have to decide on for yourself. But yeah, getting a blood test and an ultrasound done could help with that descision. Just don't take diabetes treatment lightly. It'll save your life and your quality of life, if you do it right, from the get-go. Just wing it half the time, and you're going to feel it a couple of years from now. Complications are nothing to sneeze at.

Far as I know drinking doesn't cause diabetes, that's more a genetic thing, unless there's medication involved (like statins). But the pancreas and the liver both need to work as well as possible for T2 to be well controlled. So you'll want to take good care of both of them. How you do that is up to you. But I do think asking for a test and an ultrasound would be a good start. And then, you go from there.

G'nite,
Jo

 

[michaelm23]

Far as I know drinking doesn't cause diabetes, that's more a genetic thing, unless there's medication involved (like statins). But the pancreas and the liver both need to work as well as possible for T2 to be well controlled. So you'll want to take good care of both of them. How you do that is up to you. But I do think asking for a test and an ultrasound would be a good start. And then, you go from there.

G'nite,
Jo

thanks Jo - I do think its pretty scary that the GP has sent me through public waiting list of 6-9 months, when it could be possible I could be dead in that time period if my liver etc are in bad way? im going to ring up tomorrow and just offer to pay the private price to see endocrinologist. there was nothing even said to me about liver scan - I was hoping any problems with that came up in original bloods from GP.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. It was not my intention to worry you but it is important to put relevant possibilities forward. Currently you could be either T2 or T1 and hopefully the endo will help define that. Let me explain. T2 is the result of insulin resistance usually due to excess weight and body fat deposits. The fat prevents the body using insulin effectively hence blood sugar (BS) rises. T1 can occur at any age. When very young it usually occurs fast and results from anti-body destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas. When it occurs during adulthood it often occurs slowly and has a 'honeymoon' period where the pancreas gradually fails. I call it late onset T1. It is more usually called LADA and there is a section for that on this website. The symptoms are often unexplained weight loss together with rising BS as there is not enough insulin to metabolise the carbs so the body burns it's fat instead. The normal blood test (HBA1C) at diagnosis can't determine which type you have. A GAD test will show any antibodies and a c-peptide test will determine your insulin level and hence which type you are. GAD test can be negative but you may still be T1 as there are other antibodies and viruses. If there is any doubt, do ask for the two tests. Many GPs, like mine, just guess T2 when an adult and mis-diagnosis is common. You may well be T2 but as I was given the wrong treatment for several years it's worth highlighting the possibilities to avoid GP guesswork. If you are T2 then a low carb diet and possibly Metformin are common treatments. If T1 then insulin will eventually be needed with tablets before that if relevant. Don't panic about insulin. It is a real solution and merely a nuisance. T2s can usually avoid insulin but find it more difficult having a flexible diet. BTW ED usually occurs a long way into diabetes. Low testosterone may well be the cause for whatever reason.

 

[michaelm23]

BTW ED usually occurs a long way into diabetes. Low testosterone may well be the cause for whatever reason.

So would it be very uncommon for a thin/in shape person to be T2 and not T1?
If there is any possibility should the doctor not have me asap in there starting on insulin? it seems crazy that even on public something like this could be 6-9 months wait.
Is the GP not culpable for leaving such a thing up in the air like this.

I have probably had ED for about 5 years but 2 years ago used sildenafil and returned to function for few months but gone again and its sort of a feeling of lower sex drive too so I'm not sure if that means ive had diabetes that long or not (hoping its not a case where the nerves have been damaged beyondd repair). Doctor said I had very low testosterone and was asking if I was able to grow facial hair and normal male things which I am so it must have been very very low - not sure if the endo will start this therapy? I'm hoping that's at least helpful for that.

 

[Mbaker]

ED can be an early warning sign for higher than usual blood sugars. Apologies I can't remember the reference, but it was from a prominent source. Which ever form of diabetes you have, you will deal with it, I know this because it takes dedication to train 6 days a week. Your HbA1c is relatively low, but you could be having massive spikes and lows to get your 55. In your shoes I would do Keto to assist the ED and flatline blood sugar readings - combined with your physical activity.

Whilst there is nothing wrong with a little help, on the gym days would focus on weight training, with some days to failure (increases human growth hormone) - this stimulus will up testosterone naturally (unless you have some underlying pathology blocking production).

If you could get a full lipid panel that would be a good step. It is a shame we don't do the NMR tests in the UK as LDL is linked with testosterone production and vitamin D also - the upshot is it would be useful to know if there is anything dysfunctional with your LDL, and ensuring your vit D is normal levels.
Many athletic types have either developed pre-diabetes or Type 2, even marathon runners (Dr Peter Attia, Professor Tim Noakes and Sami Inkinen (world class triathlete spring to mind). So your diabetes could have been dietary. Don't worry, my HbA1c was 134, look at the signatures of the responders to see what is possible and I am .....ahhum 20 plus years older than you with turned around results in over a dozen areas of health, fitness and well being.

 

[michaelm23]

ED can be an early warning sign for higher than usual blood sugars. Apologies I can't remember the reference, but it was from a prominent source. Which ever form of diabetes you have, you will deal with it, I know this because it takes dedication to train 6 days a week. Your HbA1c is relatively low, but you could be having massive spikes and lows to get your 55. In your shoes I would do Keto to assist the ED and flatline blood sugar readings - combined with your physical activity.

Whilst there is nothing wrong with a little help, on the gym days would focus on weight training, with some days to failure (increases human growth hormone) - this stimulus will up testosterone naturally (unless you have some underlying pathology blocking production).

If you could get a full lipid panel that would be a good step. It is a shame we don't do the NMR tests in the UK as LDL is linked with testosterone production and vitamin D also - the upshot is it would be useful to know if there is anything dysfunctional with your LDL, and ensuring your vit D is normal levels.
Many athletic types have either developed pre-diabetes or Type 2, even marathon runners (Dr Peter Attia, Professor Tim Noakes and Sami Inkinen (world class triathlete spring to mind). So your diabetes could have been dietary. Don't worry, my HbA1c was 134, look at the signatures of the responders to see what is possible and I am .....ahhum 20 plus years older than you with turned around results in over a dozen areas of health, fitness and well being.

yeah that's why im annoyed at the older (now retired GP) who I mustered the courage to go to on ED who told me a load of stuff at the time I now know is false like "Cialis is the permanent cure" and didn't have my testosterone or bloods done or i'd have possibly caught this 2 years ago. (even my current GP is trying to tell me its an emotional thing I can't believe they can be allowed give such poor advice)

I am hoping the diet and testosterone therapy help this ED but worried about neuropathy? i'd also like to have this resolved fair quickly at my age since it impedes meeting women (i'm single) and thinking testosterone could be long task.
Well hopefully that means im Type 2 in that case I had been thinking now that i'd probably got T1 due to my body type. I think its mad if the GP told me i'm T2 to my face and I waited and just did diet until reading here myself or talking to others to raise urgency of seeing the specialist.

 

[Mbaker]

yeah that's why im annoyed at the older (now retired GP) who I mustered the courage to go to on ED who told me a load of stuff at the time I now know is false like "Cialis is the permanent cure" and didn't have my testosterone or bloods done or i'd have possibly caught this 2 years ago. (even my current GP is trying to tell me its an emotional thing I can't believe they can be allowed give such poor advice)

I am hoping the diet and testosterone therapy help this ED but worried about neuropathy? i'd also like to have this resolved fair quickly at my age since it impedes meeting women (i'm single) and thinking testosterone could be long task.
Well hopefully that means im Type 2 in that case I had been thinking now that i'd probably got T1 due to my body type. I think its mad if the GP told me i'm T2 to my face and I waited and just did diet until reading here myself or talking to others to raise urgency of seeing the specialist.

I can't advise you directly, but I can say what I would do. I regret not keeping even more detailed records when I first started my journey, so perhaps keep records of what you are eating, taking (drugs), blood sugars, how you feel and results. GP's in general are shackled by archaic teachings that they have to stick to and or are ignorant of modern science. There are however some GP's who have embraced "the modern" (and correct in my view) dietary means of resolving and mitigating non-communicable diseases.

What I can say is that if tomorrow you get in the gym and do some failure sets, that could be the start of your recovery, just when you are about to give up, see if you can do one more with good form - this is when the magic happens. These will also naturally widen the arteries (proven with fighter pilots) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deyard-EH1...s=hand+grips&qid=1562710563&s=gateway&sr=8-15

 

[michaelm23]

What I can say is that if tomorrow you get in the gym and do some failure sets, that could be the start of your recovery, just when you are about to give up, see if you can do one more with good form - this is when the magic happens. These will also naturally widen the arteries (proven with fighter pilots) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deyard-EH1...s=hand+grips&qid=1562710563&s=gateway&sr=8-15

The grip strength measurer? just by holding it widens arteries or the strength training does.