Appreciate any help with this. Had a routine thyroid blood test (been hypo for years) GP also did a test for diabetes apparently at same time ...not told until she rang and said it’s 6.6 so repeat in 2 weeks. Second result was 6.5. Shortish call saying you’re diabetic. Have no symptoms! Chlorestral bit high but has been prev. Scared me stiff saying about all the problems diabetes can cause. Refused meds as I am not happy with handling of this. I am 3 stone overweight so I’ve asked for another test in three months rather than the 12 she suggested. GP said you can’t change the diagnosis by losing weight you’ll always be diabetic now.
A friend said they had 6 weeks between tests not 2 weeks? Can’t see any NICE guidelines
Should I buy a meter & test strips?
Thanks for any help I’m feeling very anxious it’s difficult speaking over the phone to GP as I have hearing loss.
HazieB - Welcome.
The first thing I would say is, don't panic about this. Yes, the diagnosis is a right, royal pain, but it isn't the end of the world.
Your diagnostic readings are literally, just on the line, so you are starting from a very promising place, in terms of the future.
As others have suggested, what you eat and drink is critical for those living with T2 diabetes - especially those who want to avoid meds, where possible.
My diagnostic reading was 73, or 8.8, so a good deal higher than yours. Like you, I didn't want meds, so went away, and like you, I did my research. Myt next test, almost 4 months later (I was away for the time between my diagnosis and follow up test, but that's another story, I'll spare you!), my readings had decreased to 37 or 5.5. Since then, my A1c tests have all been lower still.
To do that, I modified my diet, and bought myself a blood glucose meter. I used the meter as my guide.
I would test my blood glucose, then eat my meal, then test again 2 hours later. If the second result was more than 2.0 more than the first, that meal wasn't doing me any favours, so I would look at the elements in it and decide which of the carbs would likely be the culprits, then decide if I would eat less of those next time, or just not repeat eating that thing again.
By doing that, I soon got to know what impacted my blood glucose and I had some strong pointers for ongoing management.
Most, if not all of us with T2 need to trim back on the carbohydrates we eat. It's not just the sugar, as all carbs turn to sugar as they are digested. Some faster than others. The other annoying thing is some folks can eat, say bread, but not potatoes, and others will be the opposite, so it is a very personal thing. That's why the meter helps so much.
I wasn't carrying a lot of weight when diagnosed, but I did have love handles. I never set out to lose weight, thinking I'd rather have great sugars and love handles than be skinny and have rampant blood sugar numbers I need to then get under control. The reality was that by following my meter, I got very slim along the way.
Take it steady, and try to find a simple approach to all this. Don't over think it, or you'll end up confused by what's going on.
My suggestions would be to buy yourself a meter and a few pots of strips. (The one Alexandra mentions above is fine, and the strips are very tightly priced, by comparison to many. As you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you do not pay VAT on the meter or strips.)
Post lots of questions. That's how we all started out. You'll be fine - just don't panic!
On the other front, how well is your thyroid managed? Getting that into a good place will help with your T2. Hormone imbalances are complicated things, for sure.
(I and many others on the forum also live with hypothyroidism of one sort or another.)
