Good evening a Newbie here

[Spud 7]

After many years of having a HBa1 level around the 47/48 mark I was rather shocked that my level in 18 months has jumped to 67. My docs have made an appointment for me to see the Diabetic nurse next week.
I swim on a regular basis and use a gym (somewhat sporadically) too, so was rather disappointed at the levels.
I bought a BM meter and started taking some readings. My first mid day one when getting the meter was 9,0.
I've been rigidly sticking to a low carb diet for the last week and increasing my exercise.
I've found my morning reading has gone from around 8 to 6.8 last few days.
Pre food I'm at 5.8 rising to about 7.3 a couple of hours later.

I'm desperately hoping these are levels I can control with diet'/exercise, as I really don't want to be going on meds if I can possibly help it.
Any observations or thoughts ?
Many thanks in advance

 

[Antje77]

Hi @Spud 7 , welcome to the forum.

I'm desperately hoping these are levels I can control with diet'/exercise, as I really don't want to be going on meds if I can possibly help it.
Any observations or thoughts ?
Many thanks in advance

May I ask what kind of food you eat?
Many of our members have great results when they lower their carb intake. Seeing as you have a glucose meter already, you can easily use it to test before and about two hours after a meal to see how this meal has affected you.
If it went up by more than 2 mmol/l you might want to try with less carbs next time.

 

[Buster_]

As you're a type 2 there's every chance you can get your BS levels into the healthy range using diet alone, very many here in the forums have done just that. I've dropped my HbA1c from 109 on diagnosis to 43 at my last test, and will be even lower when my new results come back (blood taken at GP surgery today).

You're doing exactly the right thing, low carb, it's absolutely the silver bullet. You're already seeing results after only a week, stick with it and your readings will very likely continue to fall.

The testing you're doing around mealtimes is crucial (and current results look good). Ideally you are looking to find meals which, at the two hour mark, have elevated your levels by no more than 1.5 to 2 points, and to no more than about 8mmol/L as a maximum. I find by keeping my carbohydrate intake very low my BS is usually back to pre-meal level at about the one hour mark.

Keep going, you're doing great!

 

[Pipp]

Hi @Spud 7 . Another swimmer and gymmer, here.
I do find that exercise often sees my blood glucose rise quickly immediately after an exercise session, even though I generally fast before exercising. I do then find levels drop very quickly after , too.
I would agree about the testing timing , though find it disheartening to see high numbers after exercise. So leave it an hour or so after, then test before eating or drinking anything but water. (Important not to get dehydrated, as I find this has an adverse effect too).
Well done on the low carbing. That will be the biggest impact. Exercise alone won’t be enough to lower BG levels.

 

[Spud 7]

Hi @Spud 7 , welcome to the forum.

May I ask what kind of food you eat?
Many of our members have great results when they lower their carb intake. Seeing as you have a glucose meter already, you can easily use it to test before and about two hours after a meal to see how this meal has affected you.
If it went up by more than 2 mmol/l you might want to try with less carbs next time.

Lots of Stir fry veg, with Steak or Chicken, but also unfortunately work shifts ( for 40 years or so now) which does kind of mess things up a little. I've now cut out any Beer too !!

 

[Spud 7]

As you're a type 2 there's every chance you can get your BS levels into the healthy range using diet alone, very many here in the forums have done just that. I've dropped my HbA1c from 109 on diagnosis to 43 at my last test, and will be even lower when my new results come back (blood taken at GP surgery today).

You're doing exactly the right thing, low carb, it's absolutely the silver bullet. You're already seeing results after only a week, stick with it and your readings will very likely continue to fall.

The testing you're doing around mealtimes is crucial (and current results look good). Ideally you are looking to find meals which, at the two hour mark, have elevated your levels by no more than 1.5 to 2 points, and to no more than about 8mmol/L as a maximum. I find by keeping my carbohydrate intake very low my BS is usually back to pre-meal level at about the one hour mark.

Keep going, you're doing great!

109 to 43 is pretty amazing ... I hope I can go some ways towards similar results .... Thank you for the reply and encouragement, it's appreciated ..

 

[Spud 7]

Hi @Spud 7 . Another swimmer and gymmer, here.
I do find that exercise often sees my blood glucose rise quickly immediately after an exercise session, even though I generally fast before exercising. I do then find levels drop very quickly after , too.
I would agree about the testing timing , though find it disheartening to see high numbers after exercise. So leave it an hour or so after, then test before eating or drinking anything but water. (Important not to get dehydrated, as I find this has an adverse effect too).
Well done on the low carbing. That will be the biggest impact. Exercise alone won’t be enough to lower BG levels.

Thank you, I appreciate it.
It's all taking a bit of getting used to, let alone getting my head round !!

 

[Ronancastled]

Pre food I'm at 5.8 rising to about 7.3 a couple of hours later.
/QUOTE]

With figures like that you'll be in remission earlier than most.
Your high fasting readings are dawn
phenomenon. They will improve when your insulin sensitivity improves.

Keep on your course of low carb, enjoy the benefit of losing weight & you'll be back in the 5s in a few months.