Another newbie.

Hello and welcome! If I remember correctly, the NHS guidelines state that if fasting (noteaten or drank for 8 hours or more) blood sugar is over 7 or random sugar over 11, diabetes diagnosis is confirmed. If the fasting blood sugar is over 5.5, then you have impaired glucose or diabetes, confirmed by glucose tolerance test as was in your case.

Stopping refined sugar consumption or just reducing the amount of carbs eaten can cause withdrawal symptoms. Carbohydrates can cause quite severe dependence, which can make people think they need the sugar or bread etc to survive. I was a total carb junkie, ate 300-500 grams of carbs per day (national average somewhere around 300-400g per day) in shape of rice, bread, biscuits etc. When I cut right down, it made me feel lightheaded and icky for some time. But now things are so much better, I have more energy and sugar levels under 6 most of the time. My spikes generally stay under 6.9 too with diet, exercise and metformin 500mg x 2. I haven't heard of a metallic taste as a side effect so far so can't help there.

Buy a carb counter book,Eric,such as Collins gem carb counter,this will give you some idea of the amounts of carbs in each food that you normally eat and you can build your menus round this.

They are not expensive,about £4 and fit nicely in the pocket when shopping!

Initially you are aiming at getting your blood sugar levels down below 7 when you test.This test is a 'snap shot' of how much sugar is in your blood stream at that moment in time.Once there you are then aiming at getting your Hba1c below 7% .This test is a 90 day percentage of how much sugar has been in your blood stream.

Hi Eric, I am new here too. I am also a bit confused on the blood sugar levels. Mine seems very erratic at the moment. It tends to be about 7 when I wake up and I have just done it 3 hours after eating and it is 14.7 (it was 6 this time yesterday). How trustworthy are the blood testers though as I did mine twice last night within 5 minutes and it went from 12 to 5?
I am only on 1 metformin but the doctor does not want to see me anymore and I haven't been given any other form of help (although promised) since I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago.

hi im ew here too .my doctor thought l woz type 2 diabetic and was commenced on metformin 500mgs 4 times per day l suffered that metallic taste in my mouth to until my system got used to them ,as it turned out 6weeks later my blood results came back and showed l was actually type 1 .im now on 5 injections per day and still take the metformin now ,my nurse told me that metformin contains an appietiate suppressant ,in total l have now lost 6 stone in weight ,when they thot l was type 2 my goal was to have my blood levels between 4 and 9 ,but l feel ill if its below 7 ,you have to find what levels right for you as my nurse said not everyones the same and whats right for 1 might not be right for another ,you,ll know what level feels fine for you .hope this helps take care anne x

Hi Sam, I don't know why your BG is so erratic, what are you eating, maybe has something to do with that? What did you eat yesterday and what did you eat today?

Than again, if you got such different results within 5 minutes maybe your meter is faulty. What meter are you using? Phone the manufacturer and ask them about it. If it's faulty they will more than likely sent you a new one free of charge. If the meter has IR ask them about the lead and the software, that is usually free of charge as well. I got mine last week when I called them about a little problem I was having with the lancets.

I've got two meters and had the same problem with one of them, the result went from 7.6 to 5.1 within about two minutes. I tried the second the next day and the results were 5.8 and 5.7. I ditched the first one, only paid £3.50 for them so did not lose much. Might even get the manufacturer to replace it.

Why doesn't your GP want to see you no more? I don't understand that. My GP is excellent and has seen me twice since my diagnosis which was only 18 days ago. He has already done one HBA1c test, a urine test and wants to see me again next month and do another HBA1c test. He also got me to see the DN who refered me to a Diabetic group. I also had my eyes screened last Friday. We've had a few hicups but all in all our GP praxis is excellent.


BTW, why are you doing your tests 3 hrs after meals? I was told to do them 2 hrs after meals.[/quote]

Hi Eric, thanks for the detailed reply. I feel like I am floundering around at the moment. I read about your DN and noticed that you had not been diagnosed for long on another post. This is what got me thinking. The doctor rang with my first fasting blood test and wanted to send me straight to hospital as it was 18. I talked him out of it as I felt fine. He then faxed the hospital for an emergency appointment with the endocrinologist (this was 6 weeks ago). He did 2 more blood tests, the last one being 9, phoned me said that was fine and good luck. I mentioned I had not heard from the hospital and he said he was sure it wouldn't be long!!!
I phoned the hospital and they said I am on a waiting list and they can't tell me when I will be seen.
I got a meter from a student ( I am a psychology lecturer) and I think it may be faulty as it looks very old). I bought my own but need to get some more test strips so I think that may be the solution. It read 3 last night so I like it actually haha
As for my eating I had the leftovers of a lentil curry for my lunch, but I have been following a highish carb diet...this is about to change as I think the book may be slightly flawed!!
Thanks again