• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Advice needed about rising HBA1C

I

indiegirl

Newbie
Messages
4
Hi Guys

I'm just after a wee bit of advice while I wait to see my diabetic nurse as I'm getting a bit anxious.

I'm a type 2 and had my routine HBA1C a couple of months ago. It was 7.3 and cholesterol was 5.2. My diabetes med (glimepiride aka amaryl) was increased from 1mg to 2mg and I was given simvastatin for cholesterol. I was asked to go back for another test after two months. The new results have come back as HBA1C increased to 8.6, while my cholesterol has fallen to 3.5. I am very concerned about this increase in HBA1C especially as the meds were increased.

Self monitoring has never been my strong point but usually, in the mornings when I do test, I've been around high 7's or low 8's. I've increased self monitoring since finding out about the HBA1C increase a couple of days ago and am regularly finding my BG levels are 9 or higher with a highest level of 16.1 2 hours after a meal. My diet hasn't changed from before the meds was increased so I can't understand it.

The only thing that has changed is I've developed problems with my knees which the doc suspects could be arthritis or ligament damage or cartilage loss. If there is inflammation in my knees could this cause increases in my glucose levels? The knee problem has been worse over the last couple of months.

I know I need to see my diabetic nurse but can't get an appointment till she's back off her hols and the doc was reluctant to discuss the increase in my HBA1C, just told me to see the nurse.

Any advice or ideas why it's all rising despite increased meds would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.
indiegirl
 
no, not on meds for the knees, just the odd painkiller every now and the when the pain is unbearable. not had painkillers for a few days though.
 
Breakfasts are normally cereal like cornflakes with unsweetened soya milk. Somedays it's toast with ham or low fat cheese.

Lunches are typically sandwiches or soup and sandwich and a piece of fruit or snack a jacks.

Main meals vary greatly from the typical meat and 2 veg to curries, but I always make stuff myself cos I know about the hidden sugar and stuff. I don't eat a lot of chips or potatoes. I've went off them since being diagnosed. It's usually rice, pasta or tons of salad.

I drink flavoured water, diet juice and coffee (2 to 3 cups a day). I aim for my 5 a day but don't always manage it. I allow myself to have the stuff we're not supposed to eat once a week but always in moderation. I exercise daily on an exercise bike which is the only exercise I can do because of my knees.
 
There is a lot of carbohydrate in your typical day's diet, Indiegirl.
Can I suggest that you get a carb counter book and work out how many carbs you are eating in a day.
The starchy carbs such as bread,potatoes, pasta, and rice are the likely cause of your blood sugars being on the high side.
I would suggest trying to cut down the portions of these. Keep a food diary for a week and test before a meal then two hours after and keep a record of these readings. Over a week you will see exactly what these foods are doing to your blood sugar levels.
 
Dear Indiegirl

You will find that most people on this side agree that one of the most effective methods to bring HbA1C scores down is to monitor and restrict your carbohydrate intake (not just sugar and sweet things but also pasta, rice, bread, cereals and even fruit).

What is more, different carbohydrates seem to affect my glucose levels in different ways. If I have cereals for example, my glucose levels shoot up, while toast affects me to a much lower degree.

Through experimenting with different quantities and types of carbohydrate in your diet, and monitoring your glucose levels before and two hours after your meals, you will learn to make the right decisions as to what kind and how much carbohydrate to have in order to improve your glucose levels.

As far as "banned or forbidden food", I like what I read somewhere that there are no forbidden foods but some items such as sweets should be rare treats not regular indulgances.

Regards

Pavlos
 
I think the guy above has some very valid points. Whilst I am not and never will be a low carber, as a diabetic you have to understand that all types of carbohydrates including starchy "Complex" carbs contribute your blood sugar levels. You need to find a balance of foods including fats, protein and carbs and at the moment you are eating a lot of carbs, and from what you are saying in my experience the carbs you are having are the worst for increasing blood sugar levels. I'd advise against cornflakes as these are actually even without adding sugar very high in sugar as are most breakfast cerials and even those that arent have a big effect on blood glucose, I'd advise trying porridge as I know for me it works out quite well. With bread you really need to dump white, brown and even wholemeal. Grannery is great, oatmeal and wheatgerm too. I'd suggest you also try seeded breads as many find these dont have a huge effect on blood glucose. Potatoes dont have a huge effect on me certainly not as much as rice and white bread. But the most important thing you can do is test for yourself. If you are confident that you are eating a well balanced diet then its time to push your doctor to increase/add/change your meds to find a combination that works better for you. Ultimately you want to avoid insulin if at all possible as it will make your life a lot harder but ultimately even if it comes to that its far better than the complications of diabetes such as amputation, kidney failure and blindness!

You may also need to consider changing your GP if you arent getting the support you need but you have to try and get better control or ask your GP to refer you to a specialist.
 
+1 with what everyone else says, whether you call yourself a low carber, low GIer, low GLer, low fat/highfiberer, portion controller or anything else, carb control is vitally important.

Kick out the refined white starchy stuff and see how you get on, I think making that one adjustment will have a big impact. If you must stick with cereals in the morning, change to oats and stick some nuts or linseeds in there that'll slow the glucose release. Ditch the sandwiches for lunch and take salad and lean meats (or cheeses if you eat fat).

Just changing those two aspects should have a big impact.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone, they are very much appreciated. I'll need to have a look into what carbs I'm eating.

Would any of you recommend following the GI Diet?

cheers,
indiegirl
 
indiegirl said:
Thanks for the replies everyone, they are very much appreciated. I'll need to have a look into what carbs I'm eating.

Would any of you recommend following the GI Diet?

cheers,
indiegirl
Click to expand...

Would be a great start! :D
 
I certainly would recommend the GI/GL diet together with a reduction of carbohydrates. Together as far as I am concerned they work very well.

Get yourself along to a W H Smith or Waterstones and pick up the Collins Gem GI and the GL Pocket books at £3.99 each. They explain the concept very well. Any questions then just ask back here.
 
The gi index is one way of controlling the quality of carbs you eat. I have type 1 and use it, but there are others on here with type 2 who also use it.
Before now the book by Rick Gallop on the Gi diet has been recommended as useful.
I like the GI website and newsletter for lotsof information and helpful hints (if you search in the Newsletter for diabetes, you'll find several accounts of sucess with it in type 2)
http://www.glycemicindex.com/
 
phoenix said:
The gi index is one way of controlling the quality of carbs you eat. I have type 1 and use it, but there are others on here with type 2 who also use it.
Before now the book by Rick Gallop on the Gi diet has been recommended as useful.
I like the GI website and newsletter for lotsof information and helpful hints (if you search in the Newsletter for diabetes, you'll find several accounts of sucess with it in type 2)
http://www.glycemicindex.com/
Click to expand...

Some of the more savvy low carbers use the glycemic index too, or GL index in my case! :wink:
 
GI is a good place to start but not to finish self testing is definetly the way to go as I dont find the results I get completly mirror GI but its a good guideline but treat it as that. All types of rice seem to send me into the stratosphere whilst potatoes arent that bad. But most important thing is you have to find a diet/exercise/medication regime that works for you in the long term. You have to make these lifestyle changes last so do it gradually and dont force yourself into eating a diet you dont like you will never stick to it.

.
 
Back
Top