Hello

VioletViolet

Well-Known Member
Messages
408
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I've been looking at this site a lot over the last few days and it's been of great help. I went to the GP feeling rubbish (in a very none specific way!) I've never felt so under the weather in such weird way. He booked in for lots of tests with the nurse and the overnight fast blood test came back at 6.8 which I believe is borderline diabetic (please correct me if I'm wrong this is all very new and scary to me). I've just had the glucose tolerance test with the disgusting drink and am awaiting those results. So what now ? I presume whatever the result diabetic/pre-diabetic I've got to begin looking after myself better. Low carb eating seems to be the way most people here approach it so I will give that a whirl, should I be doing anything or just hang tight for the results.

Thank you

Violet

PS Apologies if I've put this in the wrong bit of the forum!
 

totsy

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,041
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
liars, animal cruelty
Hi Violet and welcome,
I would go lower carb while you are waiting and see what the results come back as,
try not to worry in the meantime (easier said than done)
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
Hi Violet and welcome to the forum:)

Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask all the questions you need to and someone will 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 70,000 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-and-whole-grains.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 bloodglucose 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.
 

Andy12345

Expert
Messages
6,342
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Doctors
Hi, Welcome

No harm in reducing the carbs for the meantime, you dont have to go crazy with it just yet unless you fancy doing it (i believe it to be a very healthy way to eat diabetic or not) you could reduce your bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and sugar for now as a warm up :) best of luck with the results, any questions you have please ask away, whatever the results, dont panic, there is alot to learn and diabetics are in the very fortunate position of being able to treat there own condition as aggressively as they see fit, so how well you want to do, you can with diet and exercise etc. (with a little help with the doctors.....or not) looking after yourself better can only ever be a good thing :)
 

VioletViolet

Well-Known Member
Messages
408
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Thank you Daisy, Andy and Totsy for your advice. I feel pretty overwhelmed by it all - I was expecting to be told my thyroid levels were out of whack or that I was iron deficient. The rug has been pulled from under me :( What to I do when I am stressed ? I binge on chocolate, it's going to be a tough road ahead.
 

Andy12345

Expert
Messages
6,342
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Doctors
Thank you Daisy, Andy and Totsy for your advice. I feel pretty overwhelmed by it all - I was expecting to be told my thyroid levels were out of whack or that I was iron deficient. The rug has been pulled from under me :( What to I do when I am stressed ? I binge on chocolate, it's going to be a tough road ahead.



try to look at it positively, when your stressed you no longer binge on chocolate which can only be good :) this will take a time to get your head around, but what a great opportunity to live healthier for longer than otherwise "healthy" non diabetic people do without this kick up the bum :)
 

VioletViolet

Well-Known Member
Messages
408
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I will try! I've cut down on carbs yesterday and today and made up for it with a shed load of nuts :( I presume eating too much of anything is a bad idea ?? One day at a time and all that...
 

JustDomUK

Well-Known Member
Messages
88
I will try! I've cut down on carbs yesterday and today and made up for it with a shed load of nuts :( I presume eating too much of anything is a bad idea ?? One day at a time and all that...

A tongue in cheek answer: Only if it's the portion size of Everest. :)

In all honesty, nuts in moderation are healthy and if you cut your carbs your body still needs fuel. Healthy natural fats are a good fuel source.
 

VioletViolet

Well-Known Member
Messages
408
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Sadly I am porky pig so ate masses of em! I will way a daily portion out like someone on here recommends. What are other good snacks?