Confused and a little concerned (Levels)

[Dormouse]

I was diagnosed last tuesday, and pretty much left on my own with a load of booklets. Though to be fair I went to the doctors about an infected hysterectomy scar that had opened up, and they rushed me to hospital. The test they did at the doctors was 18.1.

The week I spent in hospital (alot of the time Nil by Mouth) I was ranging between 13.4 and 15. I was released from hospital and went back to the doctors for the nurse to pack and re dress my wound, (having to go every day). When they asked if the hospital had sorted out my diabetes I said no, they promptly said "Oh good god, you could be dead next week" <- not helpful.

I went shopping on the way home and got some good food (low carb and low sugar), and started working on an eating plan so I could get a nice routine going (I tend to eat when I remember and not everyday). I got sent home with a meter (go play with it, haven't got time to go through it with you) this Tuesday. First reading at 3pm just after food was 13.8. Wednesday ranging from 13.1 - 15.
Always testing before food and before bed.

On Thursday the nurse that told me I was on my last legs, told me off because my levels were still over 13, they should be under 8!! She has put me on Metformin 500mg (once a day at dinner), since I started taking the medication my levels haven't dropped below 21.2 - mainly staying round the 25-26 mark, this afternoon before lunch the level was 30.4.
I am seeing this nurse again on Tuesday so she can look at my levels. I really don't know how to deal with her, she isn't a diabetes nurse, or part of a diabetes clinic.

 

[chubbyian]

Hi Dormouse and welcome to the forum.
It is very confusing to start with, but you have come to the right place. on the web site and in the forums you will get a lot of relly helpful advice from people that have gone through the same sort of thing as you :roll:
One of the first things I would suggest is to sort out your meals, try to eat regularly if poss, low carb is what most people find best. And test fist thing in the morning, just before you eat, and two hours after, that way you will see what things you can and cant eat. If you are stuck for ideas go to the food section on the main site, there are lots of really tasty recipes there.
The most important thing is not to give up, just take small steps and things WILL come right

 

[whompa73]

I dont realy have a proper answer for you only. My bg where from 14.5 to 24.9 poss higher but after 2 tests and the second being 24.9 I cut out sugar and carbs and have brougt them down somewhat. I wouldnt think that the metformin would bring bgs up. However an infection my (from what I have read) if I was over 30 infact over25 I would be ringing atleast 111 or even going to hospital. As you are extreemly high

 

[daisy1]

Hi Dormouse and welcome to the forum

Here is the information which we give to new members and I think you will find it useful. Ask all the questions 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 30,000 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

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

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

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.

 

[syb]

hi
four weeks on and controlling with low carbs but still have brown bread toast or porridge at breakfast time , my levels are now ranging in the 5.2.5.8. occasionally 6.7 is this a good reading or should I be aiming to bring it down a bit more ,