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EX Pat Type 2

billyburi

billyburi

Member
Messages
5
Location
Thailand
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello all, I am an expatriate Brit living here in Northern Thailand, 7hrs + GMT. In November I finally decided to visit a major Thai private hospital, we have local Doctors and clinics near the town I live in but for some specialist tests and treatment you need to go to a good hospital.

I was generally feeling not too good and a major symptom was frequently going to the toilet through out the night, plus a very dry mouth. The tests done at the hospital showed high BP -, 183/119, high uric acid levels and FBS reading of 169mg/dl, they use the American system here. I have also piled on the weight, 97 kgs. that's a BMI of 31.

After the tests I had consultation with the doctor who informed me I was diabetic, needed to lose weight, no alcohol and start exercising, I also received medication to lower the BP, Metformin 500mg once daily, and tablets for gout, and return in four weeks for more checks.

On the second visit, my BP was much lower, 155/99, 94 kgs body weight and FBS of 121 mg/dl. I had started gentle cycling and brisk walking at first light most mornings, also kept off the local beer as well, boy was that tough!. Changed my diet after discovering this website and the bloodsugar101 site.
I now have to go back to hospital in two months (February) and I hope to have lost a few more kgs by then. Unfortunately I do not have access to a testing kit but I have found out there is a local clinic where you can have tests done.

I am also an ex-baker, but still bake in small quantities for the ex pat & Thai community, I have given up white bread but still eat in small amounts a tasty Rye/whole wheat sourdough.

Regards

Billy
 
billyburi said:
Hello all, I am an expatriate Brit living here in Northern Thailand, 7hrs + GMT. In November I finally decided to visit a major Thai private hospital, we have local Doctors and clinics near the town I live in but for some specialist tests and treatment you need to go to a good hospital.

I was generally feeling not too good and a major symptom was frequently going to the toilet through out the night, plus a very dry mouth. The tests done at the hospital showed high BP -, 183/119, high uric acid levels and FBS reading of 169mg/dl, they use the American system here. I have also piled on the weight, 97 kgs. that's a BMI of 31.

After the tests I had consultation with the doctor who informed me I was diabetic, needed to lose weight, no alcohol and start exercising, I also received medication to lower the BP, Metformin 500mg once daily, and tablets for gout, and return in four weeks for more checks.

On the second visit, my BP was much lower, 155/99, 94 kgs body weight and FBS of 121 mg/dl. I had started gentle cycling and brisk walking at first light most mornings, also kept off the local beer as well, boy was that tough!. Changed my diet after discovering this website and the bloodsugar101 site.
I now have to go back to hospital in two months (February) and I hope to have lost a few more kgs by then. Unfortunately I do not have access to a testing kit but I have found out there is a local clinic where you can have tests done.

I am also an ex-baker, but still bake in small quantities for the ex pat & Thai community, I have given up white bread but still eat in small amounts a tasty Rye/whole wheat sourdough.

Regards

Billy
Click to expand...


Hello Billy and welcome to the forum

RRB :)
 
@billyburi

Hello Billy and welcome to the forum :)

Here is the information we give to new members but not all of this information will apply to you in Northern Thailand. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

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 over 130,000 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

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

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

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 bloodglucose 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.
 
Thanks for the info, I will be back!!, specifically with some questions on diet and cooking/baking.
 
I thought you two guys were talking about me, then I spotted Brunneria's post..!

I'm having trouble with my carbs amount, but getting there.
 
billyburi said:
I thought you two guys were talking about me, then I spotted Brunneria's post..!

I'm having trouble with my carbs amount, but getting there.
Click to expand...

We all had troubles getting used to reduced carbohydrate intake. Just stay determined and like the rest of us you will get used to this new way of eating. That you dumped the beer is already a good sign that you have what it takes. All the best for your continued success.
 
billyburi said:
Hello all, I am an expatriate Brit living here in Northern Thailand, 7hrs + GMT. In November I finally decided to visit a major Thai private hospital, we have local Doctors and clinics near the town I live in but for some specialist tests and treatment you need to go to a good hospital.

I was generally feeling not too good and a major symptom was frequently going to the toilet through out the night, plus a very dry mouth. The tests done at the hospital showed high BP -, 183/119, high uric acid levels and FBS reading of 169mg/dl, they use the American system here. I have also piled on the weight, 97 kgs. that's a BMI of 31.

After the tests I had consultation with the doctor who informed me I was diabetic, needed to lose weight, no alcohol and start exercising, I also received medication to lower the BP, Metformin 500mg once daily, and tablets for gout, and return in four weeks for more checks.

On the second visit, my BP was much lower, 155/99, 94 kgs body weight and FBS of 121 mg/dl. I had started gentle cycling and brisk walking at first light most mornings, also kept off the local beer as well, boy was that tough!. Changed my diet after discovering this website and the bloodsugar101 site.
I now have to go back to hospital in two months (February) and I hope to have lost a few more kgs by then. Unfortunately I do not have access to a testing kit but I have found out there is a local clinic where you can have tests done.

I am also an ex-baker, but still bake in small quantities for the ex pat & Thai community, I have given up white bread but still eat in small amounts a tasty Rye/whole wheat sourdough.

Regards

Billy
Click to expand...

Welcome Billy the baker you are on a roll - jokes aside adapting nut flours and fake sugars to your recipes is all you have to do and you will be 90% on track without having to count carbs or calories.

I opted for almond meal/flour and coconut flour but they have no gluten so I use extra egg or Xanthan gum.
Almond meal is simply ground almond kernals

But coconut flour has had the oil removed so some oil has to be added to coconut flour.to simulate wheat flour. Coconut flour sucks up huge amounts of water.

I find it is best to mix the nut flours in some recipes if not all recipes to balance out the flavours

If you can handle some carbs then try a 3 flour mix = almond + coconut + wheat flour + oil + Xanrhan gum or extra egg.

The only real drawback with coconut flour is it can be a bit gritty.

Desiccated coconut can be added to the flour mixes to "bulk it out with texture"

I am sure you will be able to tell us"how to" in no time flat.
 
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