Type 2 HA1BC has gone up

Sorry about your result. You must be very disappointed. Were you expecting it to rise, and have you any idea why it did?

Gliclazide is a strong drug that forces your pancreas to produce extra insulin. This means you are more at risk of hypos so you have to test very regularly to make sure you aren't going too low.

This will tell you a little about this type of drug

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-medication/sulphonylureas.html

carina62 said:

I’m determined to beat this and eventually come of medication by huge weight loss.

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I don't know enough to give you specific advice but just wanted to voice best wishes for dealing with the disappointing reading.

I don't know if this will help, but I did read somewhere that the HbA1C test has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. (However, sources differ on this.) If true, that could add some perspective, although obviously you and your doctor are right to view the trend as a matter of concern and something that needs to be worked on.

I know that it is accepted as gospel that weight is a factor in becoming diabetic, and losing it brings relief - but that is not what I found - it really perplexed the helper at the diabetes education sessions - but he was very firmly squashed by the leader.
I have concentrated on my blood glucose levels, keeping them below 8 mmol/l by what I ate, then sticking to the same menu and I saw my numbers going down each week.
By 6 months I was in the normal range for Hba1c and usual after meal readings were under 7 mmol/l.
I know that eating more carbs once in a while I do not spike significantly, but I feel safer continuing as I am as I have discontinued the prescribed medication despite medical advice so will have no support for at least another 6 months.
I can be strict for as long as it takes to get back to what used to be normal for me.
I have lost weight - but what I think is more significant is that my waist has reduced and my shape changed so much that I have needed several sets of new clothes in the year since diagnosis - the actual date is the 15th of this month. That happened with no effort at all.
As I have shrunk back into all the good coats and jackets I have no excuses - I can go out whatever the weather and walk or cycle. My husband has retired now so I can drive out to the New Forest or down to the beach whenever I like, and I do now want to go out. Reducing the blood glucose is what I believe altered my metabolism, and THAT is what changed my energy levels, my body shape and my weight.

Resurgam said:

I have lost weight - but what I think is more significant is that my waist has reduced and my shape changed so much that I have needed several sets of new clothes in the year since diagnosis - the actual date is the 15th of this month.

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I am convinced (and there is some scientific evidence that I have seen for this) that the waistline, and waist-to-hip ratio, are at least as important as weight, for some people. (Particularly for some ethnic groups, apparently, although I am not a member of one of the stipulated groups.)

After going on the low-carb diet I lost 10KG or 12 percent of my body weight. But I also reduced my waist from 40 inches to 35 inches, a reduction of also 12 percent. I have never been overweight in my life, but I think that in the years prior to the T2 diagnosis I became "over-waist" if you like.

carina62 said:

I may refuse to take the glicazide and try and get it down myself with my continued weight loss and see in 6 months time if my efforts pay off.

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How are you doing with your weight loss?

carina62 said:

I joined SW a few weeks ago and have lost just over half a stone and want to aim to get to a stone lighter before Xmas but I have a long way to go before I get to goal weight so it’s going to be slow, I seem to be losing about 1 - 1.5 lbs a week.

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That is good and going in absolutely the right direction.

Have you considered the very low calorie Newcastle Diet? It seems to work for most people.

Grateful said:

I am convinced (and there is some scientific evidence that I have seen for this) that the waistline, and waist-to-hip ratio, are at least as important as weight, for some people. (Particularly for some ethnic groups, apparently, although I am not a member of one of the stipulated groups.)

After going on the low-carb diet I lost 10KG or 12 percent of my body weight. But I also reduced my waist from 40 inches to 35 inches, a reduction of also 12 percent. I have never been overweight in my life, but I think that in the years prior to the T2 diagnosis I became "over-waist" if you like.

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I like your 'Over Waist' phrase!

carina62 said:

I may refuse to take the glicazide and try and get it down myself with my continued weight loss and see in 6 months time if my efforts pay off.

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In my opinion (although only a doctor can say for sure) it is definitely worth a try. Especially if it is time-limited, I don't see why a doctor would object ... but I am not a doctor. Good luck!

Guzzler said:

I like your 'Over Waist' phrase!

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I did read somewhere, a year or two ago, that for most men 40 inches was the "danger level." This was not a specific claim regarding diabetes (never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever get diabetes) but it was just a kind of general metric for bad health. At the time, it struck me as a bit daft since we all have different body types.

What I failed to realise at the time was that my waistline was actually approaching that number, and at diagnosis I was shocked when I measured my waist for the first time in ages and it was indeed 40 inches. For a while I had been wearing 38-inch trousers, but they have elastic waistbands so they fit anyway!

Hi @carina62

I've just deleted a post higher up the thread because it gave out information which was rather misleading.
I wanted to let you know that while statins have been found to increase blood glucose in some people, and increase the risk of developing T2 for some people, it is by no means everyone.

Are you monitoring your blood glucose at home to check what levels you are reaching on a daily basis?

Have you ever considered fasting? intermittent or extended?
Or maybe eating low carb to help with control and weight loss?
All of the above are pretty well known to help with NAFLD too.

May I suggest that you check how high your blood glucose is going after your Slimming World meals?
I know that there are different options/ways of eating that Slimming World offer, some of them higher and lower in sugars and carbs. You may find it very useful to see when and how high your bg is affected and choose your plan accordingly.

carina62 said:

I’ve been taking statins for years and I can’t really come off them and risk my fatty liver getting worse. Am just hoping by taking my weight loss seriously the numbers will come down. I know it sounds like a very long way off but I do hope to come off a lot of my medication. Sometimes I can’t believe that being obese has led me to end up like this with my health. If I’d been ‘careful’ about my diet and lifestyle years ago I’m convinced I wouldn’t be in this position now. I feel angry with myself.

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Carina, please don't be angry with yourself. IMO there is no-one living who hasn't done self-destructive things they regret. You look young (and pretty). I am 75. Just imagine how many bad things I have managed to do to myself in all those years. If I had been more "careful" I would now have better teeth, a nicer figure, more money, younger skin, better achievements to look back on - it goes on and on. And it isn't just in the past. Only last night I ignored all my good intentions and went to bed late, which meant I got up late and my day was somewhat wrecked. Will I get to bed early tonight? I wouldn't bet money on it but I'm hoping against hope. So, this is just to say, please accept that you are imperfect, like all of us, and hope for the best. Congratulations on your resolution, and good luck!

carina62 said:

My latest HBa1c result has gone up to 7.5% and so the doctor wants to reduce that 0.5 down to 7 so I may be prescribed glicazide in addition to my x2 metformin which I’m already taking. Is there anything I need to know about glicazide ie side effects etc from others already taking it? I’m determined to beat this and eventually come of medication by huge weight loss.

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Have you seen Jenny Ruhl's books and /or website? IMO she is very sound and sane on diabetes AND how to lose weight. http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/