Confusion within NHS Over The Treatment of Tyoe 2

rachaelc

Active Member
Messages
33
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi
I am finding now that things are getting very foggy in the NHS regarding the treatment, diet etc of people with type 2, which I myself suffer.
I have been type 2 for a decade, although a previous doctor failed to make a simple diagnoses after de facto evidence of classic type 2 symptoms; which led to urinary tract complications and having to undergo a full circumsition in my 50s. Nightmare!
Anyway, my cholesterol levels have always been historically low, consequently I refused to take statins on the basis that they made me ill and they were not needed to lower what is a low personal cholesterol count anyway. Now the doctor has just tried to get me to take Pioglitazone, but failed to mention the risks, even the fact Germany and France have banned this controversial drug.
Interesting, this was my doctor's response to my pancreas showing signs of packing up, and the possibility of myself having to take insulin! Confusing.
My doctor has told me that apparently the usual way of measuring blood sugar is out! Now he uses a different method which I knew nothing about - let alone actually understanding what it all means (no leaflet or web link to help was given).
When I had my last blood sugar test it proved to be high; although I was being treated for an infection and was post prandial, having eaten my breakfast three hours before the blood was taken; facts he refused to consider. Confusing!
I will not take Pioglitazone on the informed basis that the risk outways the confidence of success; apparently all patients must have a liver function test, especially if in the past you have suffered liver damage (with me it was a gallstone problem). I did not.
Some friends and relatives have told me to change doctors!
Plus, NHS staff all seem to have their own views! Confusing!
Finally, on my low carb diet I have lost 2 stone in weight and I exercise rigorously every morning.
But I remain confused.
Thanks for reading this!
I took glitizones for 5 yrs, rosi/pio with excellent blood sugar control. During this time, I had 2 very minor and 1 significant fracture, for the first time in my life. I noted at the bottom of the info sheet rare side effects, 'increased number of fractures in post-menopausal women'. When I informed my GP she asked for my evidence, I quoted online sites and forums on this 'rare' side effect. She was dismissive until I said, well read the information sheet and showed her. She'd not a clue. I had to change meds.
 

saorinenn

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi
I am finding now that things are getting very foggy in the NHS regarding the treatment, diet etc of people with type 2, which I myself suffer.
I have been type 2 for a decade, although a previous doctor failed to make a simple diagnoses after de facto evidence of classic type 2 symptoms; which led to urinary tract complications and having to undergo a full circumsition in my 50s. Nightmare!
Anyway, my cholesterol levels have always been historically low, consequently I refused to take statins on the basis that they made me ill and they were not needed to lower what is a low personal cholesterol count anyway. Now the doctor has just tried to get me to take Pioglitazone, but failed to mention the risks, even the fact Germany and France have banned this controversial drug.
Interesting, this was my doctor's response to my pancreas showing signs of packing up, and the possibility of myself having to take insulin! Confusing.
My doctor has told me that apparently the usual way of measuring blood sugar is out! Now he uses a different method which I knew nothing about - let alone actually understanding what it all means (no leaflet or web link to help was given).
When I had my last blood sugar test it proved to be high; although I was being treated for an infection and was post prandial, having eaten my breakfast three hours before the blood was taken; facts he refused to consider. Confusing!
I will not take Pioglitazone on the informed basis that the risk outways the confidence of success; apparently all patients must have a liver function test, especially if in the past you have suffered liver damage (with me it was a gallstone problem). I did not.
Some friends and relatives have told me to change doctors!
Plus, NHS staff all seem to have their own views! Confusing!
Finally, on my low carb diet I have lost 2 stone in weight and I exercise rigorously every morning.
But I remain confused.
Thanks for reading this!
Go on a ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting. You only need to loose your breath once a day and don’t do any rigorous exercise. Just walk in the fresh air and sprint for few mins that is all.

Check your A1c in three months then let me know I could not believe how easy it is reverse the T2 disorder. That is what it is. A Disorder that can be reverse. Please google Doctor JASON Fung for the right path to recovery from T2. Good luck.
 
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ROSIE1988

Well-Known Member
Messages
90
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Where did you get this from? All patients must have an LFT? Do you mean all patients on Piogltazone or all diabetic patients? There are plenty of drugs that come with a risk of impacting on liver function and are often accompanied with recommendation for LFTs while taking them. There is no NICE guideline for regular LFT testing for diabetic patients. Liver damage is not a complication of diabetes, so there is no reason to screen for liver damage in diabetic patients.

Just read this - Hubbys Doctor is always banging on about Liver tests because of his Diabetes!? Am confused now....
Is the above true - there is no need for LFT etc?

Thanks
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Just read this - Hubbys Doctor is always banging on about Liver tests because of his Diabetes!? Am confused now....
Is the above true - there is no need for LFT etc?

Thanks

There is every need for a liver function test. They are just as important as the glucose tests. Even though I am not on any medication and my liver functions are perfect, I still get one every 6 months - plus a kidney function test, full blood count, HbA1c, cholesterol and lipids, and a urine test.
 
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DavidGrahamJones

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,263
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
Newspapers
NHS staff all seem to have their own views!

They don't sing from the same songbook, very confusing and annoying.

I will not take Pioglitazone on the informed basis that the risk outways the confidence of success; apparently all patients must have a liver function test,

Pioglitazone is in the same class of drugs as Rosiglitazone, something I have personal experience of. Luckily I was having regular liver function tests because it detected the fact that my liver function was failing as a result of taking Rosiglitazone which I was taken off immediately. Rosiglitazone is no longer available in the UK, as far as I'm aware. It also helped my weight escalate to 27st and because of my continual anxiety about gaining weight and complaining to my GP at the time, I was just given me Citilapram, which really made matters worse, I was then getting fatter without a worry in the world.
 

ickihun

Master
Messages
13,698
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bullies
I'd change my doctor in such circumstances. Or at least get a second opinion?
 

MikePea

Well-Known Member
Messages
160
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Garlic
I am glad that you got it all sorted out eventually. It seems that one must be very careful when giving advice on medical matters. I have myself only recently been put at risk of bleeding to death due to what at first seemed a minor difference of opinion by medical specialists. It turned out that it wasn't so minor.
I am still kicking, much of the time , against the pricks. But I am giving that up as there seems to be a shortage of hedgehogs.
 

Daibell

Master
Messages
12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi. I was offered Pioglitazone a few years back before insulin and I refused knowing one of it's side effects was water collection. It's since been deprecated and am surprised it is still being prescribed as there are a few other tablet choices now and then insulin if relevant. As someone else has said the T2 category is used as a dumping ground for anything other than antibody triggered T1; this is not only unhelpful it's also rather stupid when you look into it. Be aware that if you are a slim T2 and not well-controlled by tablets you may be one of the many mis-diagnosed late onset 'T1's. This can be caused by things other than anti-bodies such as viruses but the end result is the same i.e. low insulin production due to pancreatic damage. The correct final medication is insulin. Being slim results from the body burning it's own fat as it can't metabolise carbs. The majority of T2s are likely to have too much insulin production due to insulin resistance around the body. The body can to some extent still metabolise carbs. The insulin resistance may be caused by excess carb intake causing fat storage but there are exceptions and I'm generalising. The treatment for this generalised 'T2' is a lower carb diet and tablets. If there is long-term pancreatic damage then insulin may be needed. Please bear in mind diabetes is a complex mix of conditions and causes so my comments are a generalisation.