Everything seems good but will it stay this way?

[Deleted member 99312]

I was diagnosed type 2 earlier this year. Since then I've got my BG levels under excellent control with dietary changes. I am also taking 2x500g metformin per day, although whether I actually need to keep doing this, I don't know.

What I am wondering is, does the fact that my BG levels are perfectly normal NOW, mean that they will CONTINUE to be within the normal range, provided I keep doing the same things as I am doing now? Or will my diabetes get worse as time goes by, regardless?

If my BG levels do stay within the normal range, does this mean I am at no risk of developing any of the nasty possible complications of diabetes such as blindness? Or can that still happen regardless?

Am I potentially doing any harm like wearing out my pancreas by continuing to eat more carbs than I need to? I am still eating some bread and potatoes, although I have cut down to a low level compared to what I used to eat. I can consume 50g or so of carbs in a meal and it doesn't push my 1hr or 2hr BG reading out of the normal range. However, I almost never have more than 30g of carbs in a meal, as I like to err on the side of caution. I realise though that even 30g is a lot more than many here will be able to consume, or choose to consume. Just because I can get away with it 'now', does that mean I will be able to do so forever, or am I being an idiot and getting lulled into a false sense of security, perhaps doing irreparable damage to my pancreas?

Would appreciate any feedback, thanks.

 

[Enclave]

I was wondering the same thing .. Hope we get some advice soon
Edit to add.. I have had my Metformin stopped by the DBN as my levels are in the normal range now.

 

[zand]

The answer is......I don't know. My best guess would be that if you keep your BG's in the normal range you are very much less likely to get any diabetic complications. I would say that probably things could get a little worse as youage....just as everything does. Having said that, you still have some scope for reducing carbs some more if that happens.

If I were you I would carry on as you are. Keep an eye on things so that if there is a change you can react quickly to it to minimise any damage. As for lots of us being able to eat less carbs than you, well maybe you are just luckier than some of us.

Are you still taking gliclazide? I have never taken it myself, so I am not sure of what I'm saying here. Is that the drug that stimulates your pancreas to make more insulin. Do you still need to be taking this one if you are under good control now? Sorry if I've got that totally wrong, I'm not feeling able to research this today and I'm sure you will know the answer anyway.

I hope someone cleverer than me answers you soon

 

[Deleted member 99312]

I stopped taking gliclazide over 3 months ago and now am just taking the metformin although I suspect I could probably stop taking that too. I will raise that with the diabetic nurse when I next see her early next year I think.

 

[Brunneria]

I think the answer is that 'it depends'

Off the top of my head, here are a few suggestions why:

Do you have some 'invisible' damage that may deteriorate in time, and become 'visible'
Equally, do you have some 'invisible' damage which will heal, now your BG is normal
Will you maintain the things that are keeping you at normal BGs?
Will you stay under your personal fat threshold?
Will your personal fat threshold decrease with age?
Is your personal fat threshold a factor in your impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes?
Will your beta cells regenerate?
What do you consider 'normal' BG levels, and will those levels work for you, longterm?

So, short answer: No one knows, but you have a MUCH better chance than if you are fat, sedentary and don't look after your diet!

Have you had a look at the bloodsugar101 website (see the link in my signature) where the author, Jenny Rhul, evaluates the new research on the longterm effects of raised BG, and what actually constitutes abnormal BGs? Her suggestion is somewhat lower than NHS guidelines, and may well explain why the NHS considers diabetes to be a degenerative condition, while Jenny Ruhl does not think it needs to be.

 

[izzzi]

Read this somewhere on Google, which may put your mind at ease,

Can type 2 diabetes go away? And if my blood sugar becomes normal, do I still have diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a genetic condition or pre-disposition that doesn’t change with treatment. But diabetes is defined as an elevated blood sugar.

When your blood sugar is normal with no treatment, then the diabetes is considered to have gone away. However, even when the blood sugars are controlled, because type 2 diabetes is a genetic condition, the predisposition for diabetes always exists. High blood sugars can come back.

If you have type 2 diabetes and the blood sugar is controlled during treatment (diet, exercise and medications), it means that the treatment plan is working. You are getting the good blood sugar because of the treatment – NOT because diabetes predisposition has gone away. You will need to continue your treatment; otherwise your blood sugar will go back up.

I believe as long as you keep good control including the necessary checks etc; you should not stress yourself with worry about your diabetes getting worse.
Lets face it, as we are all different it would be impossible to forecast what may happen with our Diabetes.
When I first joined this Forum my health only got better and my Diabetes will never worsen, "I hope"

 

[Enclave]

Just a thought .. I am enjoying my new found body shap and food choices .. My bs are well under control with LCHF diet and the future .. Who knows I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.. Hope I dont ... But I don't worry to much about it .. If it's ment to be then it will be ... I survive my heart attacks and bypass op .. So every day I have is a plus day .. I got my extra weight and high blood sugar eating ' healthy ' foods ... So now I eat LCHF and enjoy my life

 

[Deleted member 99312]

Brunneria thanks for that link, I think this page answers some of my questions although the answers aren't quite as I had hoped. ie. as has been mentioned, it seems that the 'safe' BG level is some way lower than what is commonly recommended. So I have been right to err on the side of caution but I may want to consider going further. I am only 41 so could have a lot of years left, and so need to take care of myself accordingly - not wait until I have problems and then deal with it because of course with diabetes that can be too late.

 

[Deleted member 99312]

Just a thought .. I am enjoying my new found body shap and food choices .. My bs are well under control with LCHF diet and the future .. Who knows I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.. Hope I dont ... But I don't worry to much about it .. If it's ment to be then it will be ... I survive my heart attacks and bypass op .. So every day I have is a plus day .. I got my extra weight and high blood sugar eating ' healthy ' foods ... So now I eat LCHF and enjoy my life

I wouldn't say I 'worry' to the extent that I am letting it make me unhappy, but, I want to make sure I am on the right track and not blissfully ignorant of being on the wrong track just because things seem ok right now, you know.

 

[izzzi]

I wouldn't say I 'worry' to the extent that I am letting it make me unhappy, but, I want to make sure I am on the right track and not blissfully ignorant of being on the wrong track just because things seem ok right now, you know.

@Dave P You are definitely on the right track,
There is many lessons that diabetic's including myself could take notice from your experience's.
I hope you stick with us.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Having seen a chap at my gp practice that has been pre diabetic for 50 years(!!).... And still remains off drugs due to eating to his meter... Then seeing this chap in his 80
S gave me hope for all T2's that they can sustain a healthy living.

I a t1 of 30+ years without complications, so I know that I been lucky and some of this is down to my care of myself, but somewhere I must have some better genes.....

None of us can forsee what other illnesses we are going to have either from diabetes or not.. I actually sometimes think..."ok, I look after myself in every way I can, so just what will kill me?" Its not actually as morose as you think, but it makes me just ponder what my future is... Just like others are thinking here...

 

[Kat100]

Hello, we really just don't know , our health can be complex, we can only do our best to stay as well as we can ....but we don't know what changes will happen in relation to our health ....regarding risk , well there are many risks we take everyday some risks we have control over others we don't
As long as you are doing what is right for you and your health , that is the main thing ...best wishes ...Kat ..