Confused by all these measuring methods

[IvorBarnett]

Hi everybody.
I was freshly diagnosed, 2 weeks ago, with Type 2 and a level of 62. I've since found out that there are, at least, 2 other scales that are regularly used and that my reading would be equivalent to 7.8 and 9.8! Why all this confusion? Which scale should I be using and why are there 2 other scales?
I have, also, been trying to follow a low carbohydrate diet and would like somebody to tell me the difference between carbs and net carbs and which one that I should be using.
After doing a little research into diabetes, in general, I have come to the profound conclusion that there seems to be too much confusion for most new bees to understand, easily.
Have I missed something or am I just thick?

 

[urbanracer]

Hi @IvorBarnett ,

In the UK you will generally find that we work with mmol/L (millimoles per litre) and in the US they prefer mg/dL (milligrams/decilitre).

When the hospital lab works out your medium range sugar levels - (the hba1c count) this can either be quoted as a mmol figure or a percentage.

It is confusing sometimes but there are converters on the main website if you get stuck.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-sugar-converter.html

Personally I use total carbs - I won't comment further as I believe that others on the forum use net carbs and have their own reasons for doing so.

 

[Lazybones]

Firstly welcome to the forum. No you aren't THICK as you claim that you might be as it's all mighty confusing for any new diabetic to come to terms with the initial shock that having diabetes brings about, and this is made worse by the confusing advice (often wrongly given out by the so called professional diabetes experts within the NHS) and the utter confusion between mmol/L, mmol/dl, HbA1c, Fasting B/G levels and what ever else there is.
It will take some time to get you head around what all these strange and unfamiliar things all mean, we've all been there at that point and given time it will all gradually fit into place. Don't get yourself totally confused by all these quoted measuring standards by trying to cross reference all these differing types of measurements, in reality they all relate to Blood Glucose levels but differ in how they are measured and over what time period - for instant a car's speed is either measured in Kilometers per hour or Miles per hour and if the car is travelling at the same speed it really doesn't matter what measurement system is used if all we're interested in is the car's relative speed.
There was considerable confusion with many diabetics between their home Blood/Glucose testing using a simple meter and the Laboratories HbA1c Blood test with many diabetics assuming incorrectly that both the reading were the same thing, so to avoid some of the confusion that this caused, the former HbA1c readings are slowly being phased out and the new equivalent result (as a percentage) is now being used. Here in the UK it will eventually be standard practice to use only % results when measuring HbA1c Though for the time being HbA1c results are currently given in both measuring methods.
I would expect that Daisy1 will probably send a posting that you should study closely as this will tell you most of what you need to know as a brand new member of the Diabetic fraternity.
Take one day at a time and please feel free to ask any question and we'll all try our best and help answer you.

 

[LinsT]

Hi @IvorBarnett - you are most definately not thick! I'm a senior nurse and I was thoroughly confused at first!
It just takes time to get your head around things. Just concentrate on learning a little bit at a time.
And the folks on here are just superstars when it comes to answering any questions you have as you go along xx

 

[pleinster]

Hi. It took me a while. To be simplistic but relevant, the only levels I look at really are the HbA1c test results (where the result is expressed as what's called the IFCC - a number such as the 62 you refer to above) and the mmols number it equates to (ie. the reading on your self-testing meter..if you have one - that's like the 9.9 you refer to). the others are just things I don't use, nor do my doctors, or most people here it seems! I hope the chart below helps.
The only carbs you need to worry about are those expressed on a label (net carbs are simply carbs minus fibre...fibre is also stated on the label..it does not raise blood sugar..so forget it). Low carbs are basically those where there are 10g of carbs or less per 100 g of whatever the product is..and those are the only cars I now eat (ok...except for ice lollies!).
You'll get there.

 

[Klangley]

You are far from stupid. You have identified the first of many confusions on the whole subject of diabetes. I have a spreadsheet where I record all my results. I have the following graphic pasted beside the figures. I also find it a useful reference when reading the postings on the forum - it is not unusual to see all three different figures used on the same thread. Eventually you will be able to roughly translate them in your head.



As far as total carbs, @pleinster is right (excellent advice as usual).....carbs are only important if they can be digested to raise blood sugar....look for net carbs.

 

[IvorBarnett]

Thanks, everybody, for your very valuable comments. They have made me feel, much more, at ease with my situation.
I have been on steroids (Prednisolone) for Sarcoidosis and was warned, at the start of my treatment, that they could possibly interfere with my blood/glucose levels and now, they have. Oh well. It's one more hurdle to jump over!
I have just had delivery of an SD Codefree monitoring system and will take my first reading in about 30 minutes. Then, I will probably measure about 2 hours after evening meal unless the general consensus is different.
Wish me luck, please.

 

[Garr]

Aye, in the UK the fibre has already been subtracted from the carbs on the food labelling, but if it's a US label you need to subtract the fibre from the carb to give you the net carbs. If it's spelt fibre it's fine but if fiber then you subtract, unless it says net carbs as well. Good luck!

 

[pleinster]

Thanks, everybody, for your very valuable comments. They have made me feel, much more, at ease with my situation.
I have been on steroids (Prednisolone) for Sarcoidosis and was warned, at the start of my treatment, that they could possibly interfere with my blood/glucose levels and now, they have. Oh well. It's one more hurdle to jump over!
I have just had delivery of an SD Codefree monitoring system and will take my first reading in about 30 minutes. Then, I will probably measure about 2 hours after evening meal unless the general consensus is different.
Wish me luck, please.

Good luck then. I would add, I was also diagnosed after being on Prednisolone (as part of post transplant anti-rejection treatment), having been warned in advance that this could happen. The spike I get for several hours after I take my pill is the highest my BS gets now..as it's getting under control well with a low carb diet. I am hoping it will be easier to control when/if I come off the steroid, but maybe not. I would echo what Klangley has said - I also record my results alongside what and when I eat. I do this less now, as I have established what the patterns are. Keep us posted...and don't hesitate to ask questions.