Type 2 hba1c increased

[lonewolf177]

Was told I was t2 in jan 2017 with a hba1c of 97, I’m not the tallest guy at 5ft 4 and was 12 stone and have a very unhealthy driving job,. Started to walk regularly and by mid 2019 my hba1c was 54 and weight 10.8, my review was due just as COVID hit so was postponed till April 2021, results were disappointing even though I’m now 10.2 weight my hba1c is at 84, ok I probably took my eye off the ball, sitting about for months during the lockdowns, eating more than I usually do but trying to keep my walking going, was hard to get motivated at times and I think, no I’m sure, got complacent and ate a lot of carbs etc. That for me could be the reason for the new reading and I am now determined to get that down, and fast. Sorry to ramble on but my worry is this, I’ve got an appointment with the nurse next week and when I spoke to her early this week she was talking about putting me on other meds (insulin based) but when she was talking about it she backtracked as my job is a driving job? Should I just accept what they will put me on but don’t want to risk my income or my ability to drive. I have now decided to try a low carb diet but my weight is fine and don’t want to lose much more so any ideas, comments much appreciated

 

[Mbaker]

I would suggest tweaking where you are and ditching carbs. You and I are the same age, so you most likely got your fill of carbs in your youth and following decades, nothing more to see here, steak, eggs and mushrooms, spare ribs with spicy chicken wings and cheese can compete with the best of the sweet / starchy stuff.

Walking is great, but maybe add some resistance training. This could be just push-ups and squats, progressed over time. I empathise, it will be difficult. Today I had
Brunch
Coconut flakes and desiccated coconut mix, with full fat milk, nuts, berries and sour cream. Followed by 2 air fryed seabass fillets with salt

Dinner
First course 4 local butchers sausages, tomato and onion gravy with broccoli and small amount of swede
Seconds: 4 more sausages
Desert: 3 home made seed crackers with Wensley Dale cheese, some almonds and hazelnuts

This normally results in less than 5 fasting blood glucose and the following. By being consistent and continually pushing (no shop cakes, crisps, no fries, potatoes, bread, rice, cereal, wheat, vegetable oils:



I have had home made low carb cakes, butternut squash fries, coconut flour flatbreads, cauliflour rice, cereal alternative - bruch above. I now focus on protein, for me no carb fall backs are worth it.

 

[jjraak]

Sorry to hear that @lonewolf177

@Mbaker makes an excellent reply.

I'd suggest many have followed a similar route as you.
Expect many to have raised HBA1c once we a get back to being tested.

Personally, I'd say NO to more meds.
You tried in better days to lower it and succeeded.
I'd give myself 3 months to crunch the numbers and take it from there.

While the worry is the damage T2D does silently as we eat, 3 months versus the years it's taken us to get here, seems a risk worth taking

And on guard, how much of the bad foods can slip by you ?

Good luck, sure your next one's much better.

 

[Goonergal]

Hi @lonewolf177

Sorry to hear you’ve been struggling. Don’t think you’re alone in that - this past year with Co I’d and restrictions has been difficult for everyone.

Whether to accept medication or not is entirely your own decision. The nurse/GP are there to provide options and support you, but the choice is yours. For what it’s worth, my HbA1c on diagnosis was 108. I declined medication and haven’t yet needed to use it.

With determination then adjusting what you eat should help to bring your numbers down pretty quickly. This website has great information in that respect: https://www.dietdoctor.com/

 

[muzza3]

Hi @lonewolf177

I agree with @Mbaker that you should seriously reduce your carbs. Are you testing? If not get yourself a meter so you can monitor your sugar levels and adjust your eating and know where you are at at any point in time. I agree with @jjraak and would also avoid medication and request another 3 months to improve your levels.

I am sure CoVid has effected many of us in this way and that you can get back on track

Good Luck