An Extraordinary Appointment

Earlier I had my first appointment with my GP since I started my reduced carb higher fat diet and also of course the first since my HBA1c result of 36 the other week.

I can honestly say that it was quite a strange experience given the background of the last 6 weeks. Unfortunately I cannot tell you everything that was discussed but I can tell you we managed to pack football, movies, Sunday morning running in the park, low carb dieting, MBE’s, the definition of pre diabetes, David Unwin, the Houses of Parliament and more into a very jam packed session.

He finished up by congratulating me on my achievement and said that he felt that an HBA1c of 36 was a good place to be.

My opening gambit was to remind him of our last conversation in January where he mentioned avocados and bacon for breakfast.

I did physically hand him a copy of David Unwins paper which he found completely ironic and even took a photo of it. But he had a special reason for doing that.

Did he know about low carb high fat diets? Yes he most certainly did. Did he agree with them? Yes he certainly did. I could go on and on. He certainly was not new to Dr David Unwin or LCHF diets and diabetes.

And I am to reduce my blood pressure medicine to 12mg from 16.

He agreed that I could have a further HbA1c test in 3 months time and assured me this latest result was not a hoax or anything.



Addendum: I do hope that the positive experience I came across today reverberates up and down the country such that everyone can benefit from similar changes.

Bluetit1802 said:

Is he in any way related to the Unwins, or some sort of colleague? I believe you don't live a million miles from Southport - if you have a boat that is.

Great that your GP is a proponent of LCHF but that was perhaps clear at your last visit when he recommended avocado and bacon for breakfast?

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My lips are sealed.

Yes it was a resounding relief as I didnt know what to expect. But it turns out that he was trying to guide me on lchf back in January but it didn’t sink in as my head had been previously clouded by the Eatwell advice, even by the nurse there.

JohnEGreen said:

When my daughter mentioned to her doctor that since she was diagnosed pre diabetic that she was following my low carb diet he shook his head disapprovingly . when I told my GP of my diet he said carry on doing what your doing it obviously works. We both have the same GP.

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How ironic, John.

My GP introduced the question of whether or not I was still prediabetic, more of a point of interest. He said it was something he had discussed with someone else in his family who also is a GP. I found the point he made quite interesting and he finished off by saying that either way it doesn’t really matter, which as far as I am concerned says it all really. As long as I keep myself the right side of the line etc.

britishpub said:

Whenever I talk about Low Carb to a HCP their eyes tend to glaze over, they nod, and then say very little.

They can't actually argue, seeing as they've just told me my HbA1c is 26 or something, but I don't think they really take it in. or really understand how diet can make such a huge difference.

Their training has told them that only medication can work long term, and it must be difficult to change that view even when the evidence is right there in front of them. I guess when more and more patients present themselves having reversed their T2D by diet alone it might be easier to accept, but for most GPs we are an abberration.

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I guess there will be a tipping point where lchf will be adopted all round.

To be honest I couldn’t keep myself fully together at all times during the appointment but he told me that things will be changing across the board very soon where he cited the reasoning behind that. He was very upbeat about forthcoming change,

Bluetit1802 said:

Next time you see him, advise him to give his nurse some remedial training. She needs it.

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Totally agree.

britishpub said:

Whenever I talk about Low Carb to a HCP their eyes tend to glaze over, they nod, and then say very little.

They can't actually argue, seeing as they've just told me my HbA1c is 26 or something, but I don't think they really take it in. or really understand how diet can make such a huge difference.

Their training has told them that only medication can work long term, and it must be difficult to change that view even when the evidence is right there in front of them. I guess when more and more patients present themselves having reversed their T2D by diet alone it might be easier to accept, but for most GPs we are an abberration.

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Btw he seemed very amenable to me having another HbA1c soon. In reference to your post a few days ago.

Bluetit1802 said:

The HbA1c tests cost very little. It is the follow up reviews that cost the money. This is why I am still allowed to have 6 monthly blood tests (full quota) but only one annual review. I just pick up my results on line, and if I have a suspicious result either my GP will phone me or I will make an appointment. Otherwise, nothing at all.

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Okay. That’s handy to know. I did wonder about the cost of the test but hadn’t got around to asking.

HSSS said:

Very useful. They are trying to swap me to annual after 3 there monthly ones and just one review on diagnosis

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What amazed me was that he was still treating me as diabetic and told me to come in every 3 months for a blood test. I said does that mean that in 3 months time I can have an HbA1c done and he said yes.

Listlad said:

I guess there will be a tipping point where lchf will be adopted all round.

To be honest I couldn’t keep myself fully together at all times during the appointment but he told me that things will be changing across the board very soon where he cited the reasoning behind that. He was very upbeat about forthcoming change,

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He said that there is somebody heading things up right now for the government. He told me who. But unfortunately I have to keep stum.

He specifically asked me how I managed running a low carb high fat diet. I simply explained that I found it difficult but managed all the same. He seemed to understand that and used his own families dietary preferences as an analogous example of cooking for each individual rather than cooking in one pot for all.

HSSS said:

So he told you the reasons for that belief? But you won’t/can’t share them. Is that correct? Are you as optimistic as him?

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Sworn to secrecy unfortunately.

I am very optimistic.