Greetings!

[first14808]

So my journey begins.. Or began with a battery of tests to check causes of tiredness. In which I learned what 'TATT' on a blood test form stood for. I had a hint last week with a repeat blood test for HbA1c, and suspicions grew when I was asked to make an appointment regarding my results.

That was Tuesday, and now I have a prescription for Metformin and a booking for the newly diagnosed on the 28th. So I promptly hit Google to learn more about diabetes, and found you.. And lots of information, which has somewhat eased my concerns. And modified my shopping list for later..

So the numbers. I think my results had gone from 44 to 78 over the course of 6 months, and I probably should have noted that down..

The good news is it may explain some of the problems I'd been experiencing, ie fatigue, needing to go to the loo a lot and the occasional craving for a cold drink (not beer..). I also had a lumbar sympathectomy last week to try to boost circulation in my left leg following on from a DVT. And from reading about that procedure, I discovered it's used to help with diabetic neuropathy. So I guess I've planned ahead with that one!

So been a bit dazed & confused the last few days trying to cram up on info. I've been reading topics here, and that's helped a lot. So not a lot of info from my GP yet, but some questions..

I'm assuming that as blood sugar levels are the issue, then being able to measure them is a Good Thing(tm)? Is that something I'll get prescribed, or have to buy myself?

I don't drink, but I really do enjoy rice, pasta and the humble spud in all it's glorious forms. Am I likely to have to cut those out completely? I'm guessing that's linked to glucose monitoring, and why being able to test before/after meals helps tune a diet. I'm 181cms and 90kg, so a bit overweight. I've an additional complication being on Warfarin, ie the sprout craving I got from another thread will have to stay a craving..

 

[Grateful]

Welcome! I will tag @daisy1 who will supply a very useful blub for newcomers.

I don't drink, but I really do enjoy rice, pasta and the humble spud in all it's glorious forms. Am I likely to have to cut those out completely?

Quite possibly (or at least, limit them drastically). You don't say so, but you are probably a "Type 2" diabetic, based on the information you provided. Some of us have successfully "reversed" our T2D by adopting a "low-carbohydrate" diet. I am one of them (see signature).

Basic information about low-carb is here: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diet/low-carb-diabetes-diet.html.

Detailed info about low-carb foods here: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb.

The time after diagnosis is often stressful and it can come as a shock. This is a great place for support and information.

 

[daisy1]

@first14808

Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask questions when you want 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 well over 276,000 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.

• 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.

 

[Resurgam]

If you turn out to be a type 2 and can alter your diet to cope with the inability to process carbohydrate then there is a good chance that you can lower your blood glucose to normal - perhaps even restore your metabolism so you have more energy - weightloss has been a happy side effect.
For the time being I'd advise cutting right down on anything sugary, and eating things such as mushrooms sweet peppers salad stuff such as celery tomatoes green leaves, red leaves - low carb foods, so your blood glucose drops and you will probably baffle the diabetes education people.
For drinks, try herbal teas, but not those with grains in. I like mint and licorice - I make a large pot and drink some of it hot, then fish out the tea bags and put the rest in the fridge.
If you get a meter you can see progress in controlling BG, and also test if you have anything high carb, either to see that you should not have done that or that you might be able to tolerate it - people do seem to have surprising variation - though some, like me have only got to take one bite of the usual suspects and my BG is up in double figures. These days I just don't try to push my luck - I am really happy with what I can eat.
The only problem is that I need to get all new trousers and skirts from time to time as the last lot start to fall off me.

 

[first14808]

Thanks everyone!

So some first steps.. no more sugar in my coffee. And first 500mg of Metformin seems.. tolerable
I like the idea of losing some weight. Found an old pair of CK jeans that I can use as a target goal. Hardly worn and probably vintage now!

I'm assuming I'm Type-2, but the appointment with my GP was only about 10mins.. So assuming I'll find out more at my next session. I suspect that'll cover diet, but my diet's been pretty terrible for probably the last 20yrs, ie skipping meals or 1 meal a day and maybe some snacks if I remember/in between dealing with work. So I'm guessing that probably didn't help.

Being an engineer/geek though, I like gadgets! Or given the dependency on managing glucose levels, it seems I need to know what they are to manage my diet properly. But I've been looking through the recipies and see quite a lot that takes my fancy. Some options are limited, ie avoiding/being careful with green veg or anything high in vitamin K because that counteracts warfarin. On the plus side, once I've figured out what I can tolerate, then a nice plate of chips + something will seem like more of a treat

 

[archersuz]

For drinks, try herbal teas, but not those with grains in. I like mint and licorice - I make a large pot and drink some of it hot, then fish out the tea bags and put the rest in the fridge.

Please be aware that licorice increases blood pressure so if on bp medication don't eat licorice. I only found this out recently as it doesn't seem to be well publicised.

 

[first14808]

Teas are a fun thing. I asked about those because Twinings were selling a lovely cranberry & blood orange flavour, and cranberry+warfarin=bad. But generally there's so little of the active ingredient in an infusion that you'd have to drink gallons a day before the cranberry element became a problem. Same with good'ol Earl Grey, which contains bergamot.

Liquorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which is the risky element, or potentially useful one as it's naturally sweet/low carb, but has an effect on kidneys & heart, amongst other things. But there's also some.. misinformation, eg-

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-side-effects-licorice-root-tea-5701.html
"Some licorice contains a substance called glycyrrhizin. If your tea contains glycyrrhizin, you could experience serious side effects, according to the UMMC, including hormonal problems, headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, water retention and heart attacks."

The plant's latin name is glycyrrhiza glabra, so if it doesn't contain glycyrrhizin, it's not liquorice. Like many things, just because it's natural, it doesn't mean it won't kill you.. Although if it were really dangerous, the Dutch would be drop-ing like flies. One of the things I'd been curious about though wrt diabetes even before I was diagnosed was if artificial or non-sucrose sweetners played a role.