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Doctor didn't help... can you?

Countrykins

Countrykins

Well-Known Member
Messages
52
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi I'm an uncertain type 2 diabetic a Regular blood test apparently showed a glucose level of above 5 m.mols and my doctor told me to go away and lose weight and get it down to 4 m.mols . I was pretty surprised as thought the original reading would have been ok as much as I understand blood sugar levels. So pretty confused at present .i bought a glucose monitoring machine and have started to test for myself. My highest reading first thing in the morning has been 7.6 m.mols. Is that good or bad - I don't know - at present I feel very on my own with this on a personal level. Not sure what I'm supposed to be seriously aiming for. Must admit having read through a lot on the forum here I can relate to the symptoms of others which until now I didn't understand - but haven't returned to the doc as yet. Anyone been advised similarly?
 
Hi Countrykins, well, your doc doesn't seem very helpful at all, no wonder you're confused. Your recent blood test showed a reading of above 5mmols but how far above 5 ? If it's in the 5's, that's fine.The 7.6 first thing is quite high though but still not really a diagnosis, these meters are not accurate, just a guide really, albeit a pretty good guide. Try a few tests pre-meal and 2 hours after ? Post here. I would also try and speak to another doc as there are tests to determine if you have diabetes which I'm not sure you've had.
 
Hi there and welcome!

Was the test your doctor did a fasting test and what exactly was the level? Was it a finger prick test or taken from your veins? The highest of your fasting taken at home is a bit high. What is it normally?
 
Countrykins said:
Hi I'm an uncertain type 2 diabetic a Regular blood test apparently showed a glucose level of above 5 m.mols and my doctor told me to go away and lose weight and get it down to 4 m.mols . I was pretty surprised as thought the original reading would have been ok as much as I understand blood sugar levels. So pretty confused at present .i bought a glucose monitoring machine and have started to test for myself. My highest reading first thing in the morning has been 7.6 m.mols. Is that good or bad - I don't know - at present I feel very on my own with this on a personal level. Not sure what I'm supposed to be seriously aiming for. Must admit having read through a lot on the forum here I can relate to the symptoms of others which until now I didn't understand - but haven't returned to the doc as yet. Anyone been advised similarly?
Click to expand...
@Countrykins
4.0mmol would be right n the edge of "hypo territory". as a T2 on diet & exercise, I would be hapy to keep my fasting BG in the 4.2-5.9 range as a target, and +1 hr post meal at <7.9 dropping to <6.8 at +2 hrs as you hit these targets you can tighten up your targets a bit!. i generally run my "non driving" BGs in he 4's and aim to return my meal +2 BG to its pre-meal level!
I would advise testing initially before meals and for new foods at +2hrs, with occaisional forays into meal +1 & +3 to check for abnormal spikes!
once you have "mapped out" your diet then you can cut back on your post meal testing IMHO.
The main difference between US and HCPs is that we want to know our ailment but the GP is sometimes constrained by "bean counter mode"
 
Hi and welcome. It sounds like your GP isn't the most knowledgeable about diabetes? Yes, we need to know whether it was an HBa1C test or a random finger prick and was it early morning or random during the day? A reading below 6 implies very early diabetes if the HBa1C and non-diabetic possibly if a finger-prick test. Let us know more about those readings and ask surgery reception for the readings if necessary
 
When did your doctor request for you to return for a BG test. The point I am getting at is, the doctor is just being absolutely sure what is going on with your symptoms.
If it was a diabetic nurse that said this I would be concerned but not your Doctor,
Your Doctor on this occasion could be taking other signs into consideration that we are not aware of.

Best of luck and I hope it all works out well for you.:)
 
mo1905 said:
Hi Countrykins, well, your doc doesn't seem very helpful at all, no wonder you're confused. Your recent blood test showed a reading of above 5mmols but how far above 5 ? If it's in the 5's, that's fine.The 7.6 first thing is quite high though but still not really a diagnosis, these meters are not accurate, just a guide really, albeit a pretty good guide. Try a few tests pre-meal and 2 hours after ? Post here. I would also try and speak to another doc as there are tests to determine if you have diabetes which I'm not sure
Bluetit1802 said:
Hi there and welcome!

Was the test your doctor did a fasting test and what exactly was the level? Was it a finger prick test or taken from your veins? The highest of your fasting taken at home is a bit high. What is it normally?
Click to expand...
The initial result was via an annual blood test - so taken from a vein and doc said the glucose level was just above 5 m.mols can't recall her being more precise than that . However because I was returning to Portugal - where I still am- I am heeding her advice and trying to lose weight by about 10 -12 kgms. I have also bought a glucose monitor machine plus,lancets and testing strips . So will get into the regime you have suggested here . The reading I quoted taken first thing in the morning was a finger prick test.
Never was a sweet tooth individual so have studied the fruits to avoid etc as cakes and pastries don't come into my remit anyway. So I will keep posted on here what I discover - and many thanks for,your advice - do I have to deny myself a glass of red wine with my evening meal tho! !! The wine here is really good - and nice wine pretty cheap. !!! I am still unsure where carbs are concerned - is bread best avoided altogether I.e. Brown bread ? How about a plain jacket spud - is that also a no.no. ?
Click to expand...
 
Wine is fine red is better. Avoid the spuds and bread, fill up on green veg and salads, chicken, tuna etc. A nice steak with mushrooms and salad or green beans. Fruit should be berries, but fruit isn't an essential.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
Hi there and welcome!

Was the test your doctor did a fasting test and what exactly was the level? Was it a finger prick test or taken from your veins? The highest of your fasting taken at home is a bit high. What is it normally?
Click to expand...
Hi. - I think if I could achieve the readings you have - I will be a very a happy bunny. Did you get advice for your diet or work things out for yourself. I am a pretty active person with an occasional day to follow more sedentary hobbies.! Also have a black lab who gets bored very quickly!!!
Bluetit1802 said:
Hi there and welcome!
Click to expand...
 
Countrykins said:
Hi. - I think if I could achieve the readings you have - I will be a very a happy bunny. Did you get advice for your diet or work things out for yourself. I am a pretty active person with an occasional day to follow more sedentary hobbies.! Also have a black lab who gets bored very quickly!!!
Click to expand...

My readings are OK but not perfect by any means. I am still working on them and haven't "arrived" yet. I got all my advice from this forum. The advice given to me by my doctor was zilch, and by my nurse was "eat the healthy plate, 50% carbs, carbs with every meal" until I got a new nurse and she was better but just nodded and agreed with me about low carb. I have a boxer dog, very lively, keeps us on our toes!
 
It'll probably be the dogs and WoE that do us the most good in controlling our D (mine's a mad old collie!)
 
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