What info should I have received on being diagnosed with type 2

[TrishMabey]

Hi, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes just over a month ago. My GP prescribed Metformin and said he would arrange blood tests in a few months to 'monitor'. I was not given any explanatory literature, recommendations or advice. I've done a little research on the NHS website but it's all very factual and I think I need some more practical advice. Is this usual practice from your GP or should they have done more. At what point should you be testing your glucose levels and how do you do this? I'd be very grateful for any advice. Thank you in advance.

 

[Melgar]

Hi @TrishMabey. It’s always a shock to get a diabetes diagnosis. All too often patients don’t really get a whole lot of information and help around a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Many people turn to sites like this for advice and support.

Here you will find members who have been in the exact same position you find yourself in. What were your blood sugar test results? You likely had a HbA1c test that simply put, measures your average blood sugars over the past 3 months. It is the primary test for diagnosing diabetes. They usually perform a second HbA1c test 3 months later to confirm the first result.

Do you have a glucometer? A glucometer, or finger prick device is the primary way we test our blood sugars at home. It’s different from the HbA1c test performed by your HCP. Finger prick devices , as the name suggests, prick your finger and tests the resulting drop of blood. Your meter will then give you a blood sugar reading. This reading shows what your blood sugars are doing in that moment. That’s all it does. That single reading doesn’t tell you much, however, it becomes very useful when you test your blood sugars just before a meal and then 2 hours after. If your second reading is over 2 Mmol/s above your first reading then it tells you that your body has not coped well with the amount of carbohydrates you have consumed in that meal.

Carbohydrates drive your blood sugars up. All carbohydrates turn to sugar, regardless whether it’s whole-wheat bread or a white bun. So by reducing your carbohydrate consumption will usually reduce your blood sugars. That’s a very simple explanation.

We are all different , so testing your blood sugars will give you an idea what your blood sugars are doing after your meal, and whether or not you have consumed too many carbohydrates fir your body to cope with.

Many members control their blood sugars through diet. I will leave dietary ideas for other members to advise you on, should you wish.

 

[Lakeslover]

Hi @TrishMabey

Unfortunately many of us have found we get little information on diagnosis.

It might be helpful to start by reading this post. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.26870/

 

[Outlier]

I had no help or info whatever. All the help and good advice I've had came from this site. I have, thanks to this, controlled my blood glucose levels purely by diet for 6 years now. I did have appointments with a so-called diabetic specialist nurse, who never mentioned this as a possibility, though she has been remarkably impressed by my control - and never asked what I was doing.

 

[HealthisWealth1]

I had no help or info whatever. All the help and good advice I've had came from this site. I have, thanks to this, controlled my blood glucose levels purely by diet for 6 years now. I did have appointments with a so-called diabetic specialist nurse, who never mentioned this as a possibility, though she has been remarkably impressed by my control - and never asked what I was doing.

I went for a random blood test end of September 2025 and my Hbac1 came back at 127. I was devastated and really upset. The doctor called me and asked me to do a urine test hence I went to the surgery the following week.
The nurse there was horrific, as soon as I got there she pushed medication and then said let’s do your urine test. As soon as she tested she told me to go straight to A & E as my ketones were very high and she said I can go into a coma and she said there was blood in the urine ( not even asking when I had my monthly cycle).
I was petrified and was so lost and overwhelmed so I asked her what does it even mean so she brings it up on google and said read this. Well I didn’t have any of the symptoms of having DKA but she was convinced I did have it. She then called the doctor in and the doctor said look your sugars are high so you will need to start medication and they put me on metformin and Gliclizide but no really mention or tips on diet or excercise. The nurse then told me when I left they had she not scared me I would have not gone on medication! I was disgusted.
The reason why my ketones were high because my body was in ketosis as i completely came of carbs.
Then the doctor calls me to say they want to do a ct scan on my pancreas to see if I had Type 1.
It’s been 3 months now and I completely changed my diet. Incorporated walks and strength training and have just had my blood test. My Hbac1 has gone down from 127 to 50 in 3 months and I hope to get it down to 45 in the next 3 months.
The doctor also wanted to put me on statins as she said it will be good for your heart. It’s so sad that all the docs want to do is push medication so that they can make money for the pharmaceutical industry and get commission. Absolutely a disgrace.
I’m sure I can put my diabetes into remission and wanted to share my story to others and say that please done loose hope. You can turn it around with consistency.

 

[Mark Rawlinson]

This sounds very similar to mine Hba1c of 129 I had been diagnosed years before but put it into remission for many years with diet and exercise. Age took its toll as well as me leaving gym and teaching fitness classes so I blamed myself, luckily my DN was very helpful that way even if she did puh me on metformin till it got so bad for side effcts iasked to use insulin (never looked back since)
I got the idea I wasnt told much due to the fact i put it in remission but do not be afraid to ask your Dr or DN that what they are there for also ask on here as much as you need
my Hba1c like yours is now down to 45 over 8 months
I was also sent for Pancreas scan (soon as the Dr did this I knew exactly why)

 

[Melgar]

127 Mmmol/Ls is very high and DKA at those levels is a serious possibility and potentially life threatening so they wanted you on meds. Type 2 diabetics can go into DKA, not just Type 1’s. Of course, there is a way to treat people without frightening someone half to death. An explanation why they were putting you on medication and why it was so important to bring those levels down fairly quickly would have helped, and said it in a kindly and compassionate manner.
Had you just stopped eating carbs ? I’m not an expert in keto diets , but one would have thought if you were on a keto diet your blood sugars would not be that high, but I am no expert , so treat my views on keto with much caution.
Vastly reducing carbs can also temporarily reduce blood sugars in newly emerging T1 , so I personally would take your Dr up on having tests for T1 , just to be on the safe side.

Edited to add newly emerging

 

[Antje77]

I went for a random blood test end of September 2025 and my Hbac1 came back at 127. I was devastated and really upset. The doctor called me and asked me to do a urine test hence I went to the surgery the following week.
The nurse there was horrific, as soon as I got there she pushed medication and then said let’s do your urine test. As soon as she tested she told me to go straight to A & E as my ketones were very high

A hba1c of 127 mmol/mol corresponds with an average blood glucose of about 19 mmol/l.
Combined with ketones, this is absolutely a valid reason to be sent to A&E for possible DKA, which kills people even nowadays.
Her bedside manner may have been lacking but the action was correct. Ketones and this high a BG are alarm bells of the same level as chest pain going to your left arm while being out of breath.

 

[HealthisWealth1]

127 Mmmol/Ls is very high and DKA at those levels is a serious possibility and potentially life threatening so they wanted you on meds. Type 2 diabetics can go into DKA, not just Type 1’s. Of course, there is a way to treat people without frightening someone half to death. An explanation why they were putting you on medication and why it was so important to bring those levels down fairly quickly would have helped, and said it in a kindly and compassionate manner.
Had you just stopped eating carbs ? I’m not an expert in keto diets , but one would have thought if you were on a keto diet your blood sugars would not be that high, but I am no expert , so treat my views on keto with much caution.
Vastly reducing carbs can also temporarily reduce blood sugars in newly emerging T1 , so I personally would take your Dr up on having tests for T1 , just to be on the safe side.

Edited to add newly emerging

Morning and thank you for your reply. I stopped carbs when I got told my Hbac1 was at 127. Through out the last 3 months I have been consistent with my excercise and diet but I do now have the ‘good carbs’ from time to time.