I called the doctor to make an appointment after having a blood test 6wks after starting medication. Surgery fully booked up for day. I Explained to the receptionist that I would like to know my blood test results. She said the results came back satisfactory. I asked her what that meant, she couldn't answer. I wanted to know whether the test was my hba1c. And i had other questions about medication etc. In the end the receptionist asked if I would like the doctor to call me. I said that would be a good idea.
I then spent the next 2 an a half hours being talked to like a child durning my 2nd session at the Xpert classes. We discussed food, what are carbs, protein, fats, fruit etc and why our body needs them. Out came the healthy eating plate with 1 third designated carbs and 1 third fruit and veg. The other third divided between protein, fats and dairy. We had to place magnetic pictures of various foods in the sections we thought were applicable. :roll: I suggested that maybe protein should swap places with the carbs, and the fats take up more of the fruit part of the fruit and veg section. She looked at me as though i'd suggested eating human body parts and carried on as though I hadn't said anything, We watched a video on the importance of exercise. I learnt nothing.
Afterward, I received a call from the doctor. I asked what satisfactory meant, she said that the result was within the acceptable range. I asked if the test was my hba1c, she said it was. So I said I would like the actual result (like extracting teeth getting information over the phone), 51 she said, which I assume means 5.1. She said that the results indicate that I do not have to test my blood glucose (any excuse not prescribe test strips).
I told her that I now buy my own strips and that my readings were anything but normal, She said that If I adopt a healthy lifestyle, lose weight and exercise, my levels should go down. No **** shirlock. So what are the tablets for? I said that since diagnosis I have adopted a healthier lifestyle, losing weight and exercising regularly. She said that my average readings are all I need and should not be self testing.
She also mentioned in passing that the results show I have a fatty liver, and then went on to say if I need any further advice about diets I should speak to diabetic dietitian. I gave up, thanked her for returning my call and hung up.
I googled fatty liver, now I know I'm not a heavy drinker so that's not the cause. What is looking scarily familiar is Metabolic Syndrome which a fatty liver can be a symptom. along with carrying a lot of weight around middle, high blood pressure (although mine is controlled) and of course diabetes. (whilst googling Metsbolic Syndrome it linked me to an information page on this website).
Now, do I have metabolic syndrome I wonder. Not that it makes any difference, adopt a healthy lifestyle, lose weight and exercise seem to be the recommendations for that as well. However, I did read the following statement on wikipedia
'Restricting the overall dietary carbohydrate intake is more effective in reducing the most common symptoms of metabolic syndrome than the more commonly prescribed reduction in dietary fat intake'
Maybe I should show that to my diabetic dietitian, xpert presenter and doctor.
Just to say thanks to everyone here, i'm not banging my head against a brick wall. If I hadn't found this website I don't know what I would do. No one I speak to, even those that are diabetic, seem to understand my choice to lower my carb intake.
