Doctor "thinks" I have type 2

[Kingj8]

Hi
New to site so bear with me if these questions have been asked before.
Last year a random urine test showed glucose and go requested Hba1c which came back at 45 Gp said just wanted it rechecked every year.

Had repeated Hba1c this week and receptionist at Gp called to say it's now 48mmol and the Dr "thinks" I may have diabetes but didn't want to talk to me just said book an appointment with the nurse.

I'm now confused do I/don't I various sites give different values!

What tends to happen when you meet with the nurse?

Looking forward to some advice and what to expect next.

X

 

[Daibell]

Hi. That number is just within the range confirming diabetes. At that level when you see the nurse she may prescribe Metformin which helps a bit and is a very safe drug many of us take. The main action you can take is to review your diet and ensure the carbs are kept down. If you have any excess weight, the lower carbs will help with both weight and blood sugar reduction. Beware of NHS diet advice as some of it is still outdated and wrong. Just keep the carbs down and have enough proteins, fats and veg to keep you feeling full. You may be offered statins for high cholesterol. Be prepared to question these until you have a lipids (cholesterol) breakdown from a fasting blood test that shows your ratios are bad. You may be asked to make another appointment in 6 or so for another review. Make sure the nurse gives you a blood test from for the next appointment and get the bloods taken around 2 weeks before the appointment. I will tag @daisy1 to give you more information for newbies.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi
New to site so bear with me if these questions have been asked before.
Last year a random urine test showed glucose and go requested Hba1c which came back at 45 Gp said just wanted it rechecked every year.

Had repeated Hba1c this week and receptionist at Gp called to say it's now 48mmol and the Dr "thinks" I may have diabetes but didn't want to talk to me just said book an appointment with the nurse.

I'm now confused do I/don't I various sites give different values!

What tends to happen when you meet with the nurse?

Looking forward to some advice and what to expect next.

X

You are in the diabetic range, but only just. There'll be more tests, checking feet, eyes, more blood, and the nurse will talk you through everything, -bring a list of questions you may have, and write down the answers!- but basically you can get the numbers down by cutting carbs. It won't make you miraculously not diabetic, but it could very well keep you from progressing to (more) meds and diabetic complications. If you drop potatoes, bread, rice, cereals etc, that should make a huge difference. My numbers were a lot higher than yours when diagnosed, and I'm now off the meds and into the non-diabetic range. If I eat carbs my bloodsugar still spikes, so I'm still diabetic, (my body can't process carbs anymore. We're a carb-intolerant people, when it comes down to it.) but no complications nor risk thereof. It's not the death sentence it feels like at first! This can be controlled. Of course, not changing what you eat is an option, but that would mean the diabetes will naturally progress, over the years. It's a personal choice. Me, I wanted to stay off insulin injections at all costs, and eating low carb/high fat did that for me. I was off metformin (and statins) in three months.

Like I said, bring a list of questions for the nurse. Ask for a print-out of your testresults, request a meter (without it you're flying blind), and try to read all you can here. Especially the success stories. Those should make you feel a little better.

Good luck!

 

[daisy1]

@Kingj8

Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful and interesting. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.



BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  
  
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
  

 

[Kingj8]

Thanks for your replies

I'm so confused about it all but I'm assuming it gets easier.

I seem to have more symptoms of low sugars I get shaky sweaty dizzy blurred vision and have to eat to make it go away my mum is type 2 and she's done cbg before and they've been 2.9 and 3. I always thought diabetes was sugars being too high not the other way round?

Thanks

Jennie

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thanks for your replies

I'm so confused about it all but I'm assuming it gets easier.

I seem to have more symptoms of low sugars I get shaky sweaty dizzy blurred vision and have to eat to make it go away my mum is type 2 and she's done cbg before and they've been 2.9 and 3. I always thought diabetes was sugars being too high not the other way round?

Thanks

Jennie

You could experience false hypo's? (If your body is used to being high all the time, it panics when you drop lower than usual. Then it's not an actual hypo, though your body is convinced it is.). I'm not entirely clear on whom those numbers belong to (2.9 and 3), but if they are your mom's and she's medicated/on insulin, hypo's can occur, because meds slightly overcorrected. If they're your numbers, then they are hypo numbers, but remember, people without diabetes can hit those too... Anyone can get shaky and hungry with rubbery legs an stuff, it doesn't say much of anything about being diabetic or no. Diabetes is our incapability to process carbs, which turn into glucose and enter our bloodstream, and we can't process it back out again. Either because we don't make enough insulin to do it with, of we're insulin resistant. And the sugar does damage all over the place. So yeah, diabetes is a disease of high bloodsugars. That's the short version. Hope that helps...

 

[Kingj8]

Sorry wasn't very clear yes they are my numbers. My mum has given me an old machine so that I can monitor my levels before I see the nurse and they seem to be very up and down. Not quite sure how often I should do them but 10.4 two hours after breakfast and then 3 just before lunch today.

I definitely feel that I need to look at my diet and work outa healthier way of eating

Jennie

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Sorry wasn't very clear yes they are my numbers. My mum has given me an old machine so that I can monitor my levels before I see the nurse and they seem to be very up and down. Not quite sure how often I should do them but 10.4 two hours after breakfast and then 3 just before lunch today.

I definitely feel that I need to look at my diet and work outa healthier way of eating

Jennie

10.4 is a little high, yeah... Could be worse, yet there's definite room for improvement. But diet changes can have a big impact. Less carbs will show a practically immediate difference... Just remember that the Eat Well Plate and other "healthy" labeled foods aren't per definition healthy for diabetics. Anything carby, like cereal and banana's, just aren't going to agree with us.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi
New to site so bear with me if these questions have been asked before.
Last year a random urine test showed glucose and go requested Hba1c which came back at 45 Gp said just wanted it rechecked every year.

Had repeated Hba1c this week and receptionist at Gp called to say it's now 48mmol and the Dr "thinks" I may have diabetes but didn't want to talk to me just said book an appointment with the nurse.

I'm now confused do I/don't I various sites give different values!

What tends to happen when you meet with the nurse?

Looking forward to some advice and what to expect next.

X

An HbA1c of 48 is borderline. (48 and over is diabetic in all parts of the UK. It may vary elsewhere). Your GP only "thinks" you have diabetes because it is a borderline result. I expect your nurse will take more blood for a second HbA1c test. This will be to confirm what the first one says, and then a diagnosis can be made. You may also have a fasting plasma glucose test. These are the normal recommended procedures when a person is borderline.

 

[Lamont D]

Sorry wasn't very clear yes they are my numbers. My mum has given me an old machine so that I can monitor my levels before I see the nurse and they seem to be very up and down. Not quite sure how often I should do them but 10.4 two hours after breakfast and then 3 just before lunch today.

I definitely feel that I need to look at my diet and work outa healthier way of eating

Jennie

Hi and welcome to the forum.

The low blood sugar reading before lunch you say is 3? After having a two hour reading of 10.4!

That could mean that you could have high insulin levels circulating, as well as having high blood levels after a meal, was the breakfast cereals?

The reason I'm asking is that is what my readings used to be before my diagnosis.
I'm not diabetic, but having high spikes and low levels is not good.

You may have an intolerance to some carbs, but I'm only guessing.

You may want to start a food diary and if you can, start recording your blood sugar level before meals and two hours after, as this will give you an idea, what is happening. You need to find out what is happening after food.

Of course, going low carb will help regardless.

Best wishes.

 

[Kingj8]

Hi I had toast for breakfast with margarine. I did check two hours after lunch and it was 6.1 lunch was a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and chips. I have episodes every day when I feel my sugars are low and like I'm going to pass out unfortunately I then tend to grab rubbish food to try and get it up as quick as possible

Jennie

 

[Lamont D]

Hi I had toast for breakfast with margarine. I did check two hours after lunch and it was 6.1 lunch was a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and chips. I have episodes every day when I feel my sugars are low and like I'm going to pass out unfortunately I then tend to grab rubbish food to try and get it up as quick as possible

Jennie

I'm sorry, but we just can't say what it is or the necessary means to know what is happening.
But it does ring a few bells, in my experience, you could be experiencing hypoglycaemic episodes, but why and how, I'm not sure. Those symptoms are similar to mine but the lack of information, I obviously am not sure.

We do have a forum called ' reactive hypoglycaemia'
Do have a read, then come back, and I will answer any questions if I can.
I don't mean to be vague, but because of the symptoms you are experiencing, I could be totally wrong! A lot of endocrine conditions have similar symptoms.

If you can't find the reactive hypoglycaemia forum, scroll to top of page, click on forums, scroll down, you should see it, then click on there, there is great information about the condition and other similar endocrine conditions.

Best wishes

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Hi I had toast for breakfast with margarine. I did check two hours after lunch and it was 6.1 lunch was a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and chips. I have episodes every day when I feel my sugars are low and like I'm going to pass out unfortunately I then tend to grab rubbish food to try and get it up as quick as possible

Jennie

Reinforcing what @Lamont D says, your reactions are not typical of a recently diagnosed T2 diabetic (or a T1 for that matter).

Usually blood glucose goes up and then is reluctant to come down again. You are eating carbohydrate heavy meals and yet you are testing and seeing very low blood glucose levels at times.

Your GP sounds wise to only "think" that you have T2. In your shoes I would be tempted to keep a food and testing diary for a few days (testing on waking, before and two hours after each meal then at bed time) to see if there is a trend, then go back and see your GP with the figures to discuss this further.

Talk to your Mum and compare notes.

Thanks for your replies

I'm so confused about it all but I'm assuming it gets easier.

I seem to have more symptoms of low sugars I get shaky sweaty dizzy blurred vision and have to eat to make it go away my mum is type 2 and she's done cbg before and they've been 2.9 and 3. I always thought diabetes was sugars being too high not the other way round?

Thanks

Jennie

Yes, standard T2 (if there is such a thing) is high BG not low. You are getting hypo symptoms with the matching Blood Glucose (BG) levels. I think it is important to have another chat with your GP fairly soon because normal T2 isn't a particularly urgent thing and some GPs take the slow and steady approach.

@Lamont D is being sensibly cautious but it might be worth mentioning Reactive Hypoglycemia to your GP just to prod the thought processes a bit.

 

[Kingj8]

Hi thanks for your replies

I've never heard of reactive hypoglycaemia before. I've had these symptoms for few years and I have seen the gp before and his response was don't worry the worse thing to happen is you may pass out and have to say quite a few times I nearly have!

I will do a little more research on it and keep log of diet and sugar levels for when I see the gp

Jennie

 

[Lamont D]

It is a rare condition and becoming more well known.
There are not the doctors who have the knowledge to understand forms of hypoglycaemia. There are many types of endocrine conditions such as reactive hypoglycaemia, only specialist endocrinologist have the knowledge and the tests to diagnose such conditions.

I would ask for a referral.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Hi thanks for your replies

I've never heard of reactive hypoglycaemia before. I've had these symptoms for few years and I have seen the gp before and his response was don't worry the worse thing to happen is you may pass out and have to say quite a few times I nearly have!

I will do a little more research on it and keep log of diet and sugar levels for when I see the gp

Jennie

Your Doctor sounds a total air head.

I can think of many situations where "just passing out" could be dangerous or even fatal. I hope you don't drive a car.

Singing in harmony with @Lamont D . Get a referral to someone who knows what they are talking about. You need to see an endocrinologist.

 

[Kingj8]

Thanks again for your responses.
Sorry about all the questions just trying to educate myself a little.

So yesterday toast caused blood glucose to raise to just over 10 this mornin cereal has raised it to 12.9 those are my usual choice for breakfast.
What does everyone else eat?
I'm a midwife that works shifts and have a busy family life so do not always have time to make breakfast from scratch.

Thanks for reading

Jennie

 

[Kingj8]

Just to add sometimes I won't get a break for 10 hours so ideas that are filling would be great


Jennie

 

[ickihun]

Thanks for your replies

I'm so confused about it all but I'm assuming it gets easier.

I seem to have more symptoms of low sugars I get shaky sweaty dizzy blurred vision and have to eat to make it go away my mum is type 2 and she's done cbg before and they've been 2.9 and 3. I always thought diabetes was sugars being too high not the other way round?

Thanks

Jennie

When you see the nurse Jennie. Make this info clear and that she's made a note on these low bgs.
If you're range in 2s and 3s then you must be hitting higher than 7s too to average a 48 hba1c.
Anything over 7.8 can cause nerve damage.
Take advice from your diabetes team but I'd encourage your team to take notice of any hypos. Even in none insulin taking diabetics.
I'll tag @Brunneria as she may have more experience in natural hypos?

 

[Kingj8]

When you see the nurse Jennie. Make this info clear and that she's made a note on these low bgs.
If you're range in 2s and 3s then you must be hitting higher than 7s too to average a 48 hba1c.
Anything over 7.8 can cause nerve damage.
Take advice from your diabetes team but I'd encourage your team to take notice of any hypos. Even in none insulin taking diabetics.
I'll tag @Brunneria as she may have more experience in natural hypos?

Hi thanks for your response.

I was also thinking about if the Hba1c would be a true reading due to the ups and downs of my sugar levels.

Just taken them now before lunch and 3.6 which is a massive drop from 2 and half hours ago when it was over 12.

I will take all these readings with me when I visit the nurse which isn't for a few weeks so may have a pattern by then that she may make some sense from.

Jennie