Hello, I was diagnosed with Type 2 last Thursday. My diabetic nurse suggested I find my way on here and use the low carb program, which I am now doing. Knowing about this site has been a source of strength and comfort. We (hubby & I) are determined to make changes and I'm finding keeping a food diary is a real help. I am much more aware of what I put into my mouth now! It's been a wake-up call but in a funny way I'm glad because it's motivated me to change. I already have angina and other conditions which carrying extra weight doesn't help. Thanks for reading this.
Hello everyone, newbie here
- Thread starter layladream
- Start Date
pleinster
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- Type of diabetes
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Hi. I am glad you have nurse who is promoting the low cab approach - it's not the usual, sadly. like many Type 2s here, I am controlling my blood sugar levels pretty well purely through a low cab diet. I completely agree that keeping diary/record of what you eat is a really good idea. You don't mention meter readings...do you have self-testing meter? I know the NHS "party line" is to say we don't need them, but many of use here would strongly disagree. It is through testing before and a couple of hours after eating that we identify what foods are particularly best avoided for us as individuals. The meter combined with a record of food and of readings is the way I have managed to stay off meds and in control... I have tagged @daisy1, who will be along with some very good info for you. I hope you really gain from this site...I certainly have. Good luck.
Thank you for your reply. My nurse did say I could self test but didn't say anything more and my mind was whirling with all the information she was giving me so I forgot to ask about it!! I have rung my surgery and I'm waiting a call back. In the short time I've been on this site I have found it so helpful! And knowing that it is something others have got under control really helps too. My nurse is lovely but we're moving counties soon so I'll lose her. I'm hoping there will be someone just as good and helpful in the surgery we will be going to.
AM1874
Well-Known Member
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- Type of diabetes
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Hi @layladream .. and welcome
You have made an excellent start to managing your diabetes and I wish you well. I have tagged @daisy1 for you and I note that you have already started to follow the Low Carb Program in the information that she will soon be sending you. You might also find the discussion on the Low Carb Diet forum helpful .. together with the following Diet Doctor websites, which will give you all the info that you need on what and what not to eat ...
Low Carb Intro and Information and Low Carbs in 60 Seconds
Unless you are prescribed a test meter and strips by your doctor (unlikely), it is a top priority that get yourself one and, for this, the following websites might help:
https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
for the SD Codefree meter, which costs £12.98 or:
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
who distribute the TEE 2 meter, which is free.
I have both which I alternate for comparative purposes and I have never found any significant difference between them.
The costs of testing comes down to the ongoing charges for test strips and lancets. Make sure that you tick the appropriate box on the on-line order form and you won't pay VAT on your meter or strips.
For the SD Codefree, the strips are £7.69 for a pack of 50 and there are discount codes available for bulk purchases:
5 packs x 50 use code: 264086 .. cost is £38.45
10 packs x 50 use code: 975833 .. cost is £76.90
For the TEE 2, the strips are £7.75 for a pack of 50 .. but there are no discount codes currently available
I'm testing 3-5 times a day which works out at around £10 to £12 per month for either of the two packages above but, more importantly, I now know what my BG levels are .. and I can now manage them
Hope this helps
You have made an excellent start to managing your diabetes and I wish you well. I have tagged @daisy1 for you and I note that you have already started to follow the Low Carb Program in the information that she will soon be sending you. You might also find the discussion on the Low Carb Diet forum helpful .. together with the following Diet Doctor websites, which will give you all the info that you need on what and what not to eat ...
Low Carb Intro and Information and Low Carbs in 60 Seconds
Unless you are prescribed a test meter and strips by your doctor (unlikely), it is a top priority that get yourself one and, for this, the following websites might help:
https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
for the SD Codefree meter, which costs £12.98 or:
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
who distribute the TEE 2 meter, which is free.
I have both which I alternate for comparative purposes and I have never found any significant difference between them.
The costs of testing comes down to the ongoing charges for test strips and lancets. Make sure that you tick the appropriate box on the on-line order form and you won't pay VAT on your meter or strips.
For the SD Codefree, the strips are £7.69 for a pack of 50 and there are discount codes available for bulk purchases:
5 packs x 50 use code: 264086 .. cost is £38.45
10 packs x 50 use code: 975833 .. cost is £76.90
For the TEE 2, the strips are £7.75 for a pack of 50 .. but there are no discount codes currently available
I'm testing 3-5 times a day which works out at around £10 to £12 per month for either of the two packages above but, more importantly, I now know what my BG levels are .. and I can now manage them
Hope this helps
Bluetit1802
Legend
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- Type of diabetes
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- Diet only
Hi and welcome. As your enlightened nurse said you could test but didn't give you a meter it appears you will have to buy your own, just as most of we T2s have to do. They are essential tools if used properly and without one you are working blind. With one you can see at a glance what your chosen food does to your levels. Using a meter along side your food diary will help enormously. Test before you eat and again 2 hours after first bite and record those levels in your diary to look for patterns.
Prem51
Expert
- Messages
- 7,393
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- *
Welcome to the forum @layladream , you will get a lot of good advice and support on here.
And well done your DN for pointing you to this forum. I hope you get another good one when you move.
And well done your DN for pointing you to this forum. I hope you get another good one when you move.
- Messages
- 15,885
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Welcome! I'm three and a half months from diagnosis. Once I was over the initial shock, I saw it as the proverbial kick up the bum to get healthier. I wasn't advised to eat low carb, but stumbled on this forum by chance and took up low carb dieting and self monitoring. To date I've lost just over three stone and got my HbA1c down significantly, all due to the advise I got here 
I'm sure you'll do it too!
I'm sure you'll do it too!
daisy1
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- Cruelty towards animals.
@layladream
Hello Layla and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful to you. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will 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 250,000 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:
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 free 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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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. They're all free.
Hello Layla and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful to you. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will 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 250,000 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
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 free 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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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. They're all free.
- 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.
Thank You all for your really helpful replies. I picked up a booklet at my surgery about Diabetes and I was shocked to discover it was 5 years out of date!! The information from the DN and this site was so different in some aspects. I decided to read the information about diabetes but not follow all the diet info which was really different. We are moving to Devon in a few weeks so will ask at our new surgery. If they are not helpful re. meters, I'll buy my own. I don't feel comfortable having my bloods tested 4 months after diagnosis and then a year later. So thank you all again. I am so glad my DN pointed me to this site!
- Messages
- 15,885
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
I doubt you'll get a meter provided, very few type 2s do. It maybe wise to just buy your own anyway and get ahead with starting to see how different foods affect you. I had my first HbA1c 2 months after diagnosis, and have my next one 2 months after that. Your new surgery may vary from what your old surgery has said too.
pleinster
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,631
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- ignorance
I got my meter provided and get all my strips on prescription. I suggest you try anyway and plead your case saying that you really want to get in control of this, etc etc...if it's a no, it's a no - but ask anyway.
Thank you all. We're moving on the 13th September (just exchanged contracts!) so I'll wait until after the move to order a meter.
All I can say is welcome 
I have recently been diagnosed too. I find testing before meals useful as I can chart how what I've eaten has affected my blood sugar. Low carb has reduced my average from 15 to 7 in about 2 weeks with metformin once a day at mo. So I believe it's the way to go if yours run high.
Good luck
Sent from my F3111 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
I have recently been diagnosed too. I find testing before meals useful as I can chart how what I've eaten has affected my blood sugar. Low carb has reduced my average from 15 to 7 in about 2 weeks with metformin once a day at mo. So I believe it's the way to go if yours run high.
Good luck
Sent from my F3111 using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
