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hello

AliPen

Newbie
Messages
1
Location
Devon
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed at the end of March as type 2 diabetic, my HBA1c is 52. I have got 3 months to get it under control before they prescribe metformin. Was diagnosed by a nurse in a 10 min appointment and then sent home. Fortunately I know a bit about it as my Mum also had type 2. So much to read and learn!
 
Welcome to the forum. Tagging @daisy1 for the info pack offered to all newcomers.

Have a wander around the forum and ask as many questions as you like.
 
Welcome! I have learned so much on this forum as well as a couple of other great sources- https://www.dietdoctor.com and from Dr Jason Fungs books - https://www.dietdoctor.com/book-change-world-diabetes-code-dr-jason-fung . Utilizing the information from these and other sources, 1 yr after a diagnosis of "pre-diabetes" I have lost 40 lbs and normalised my blood sugar levels and blood pressure. It hasn't been anywhere near as hard as I expected it to be mostly because it has been effective and I feel better than I have for years. Good luck to you in your journey & welcome to one of the most supportive groups around!
 
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed at the end of March as type 2 diabetic, my HBA1c is 52. I have got 3 months to get it under control before they prescribe metformin. Was diagnosed by a nurse in a 10 min appointment and then sent home. Fortunately I know a bit about it as my Mum also had type 2. So much to read and learn!

hi @AliPen

sadly welcome to the club.

many of us got told then booted out the surgery as next patient rolled in, our heads whirring at the news not fully understanding *** just happened..at least you had an ideas of what it entails

BUT it's not all bad news.
you found the forum..your best bit of luck since then.

Like minded people, sharing and suffering the same worries and issues,
each passing on a snippet of useful information.to help the next person on the climb back to better health.

i had 57 in oct and by jan got it down to 42..

you got this

all the help you need is here, just look learn and ask.
can't rate the crowd on here highly enough.
 
It is really kind of shocking how little information is provided by the folks at the clinics who are supposed to be helping us isn't it? No wonder people turn to the internet for information. Fortunately this forum (unlike many internet sources) can be relied on for sound advice and information.
 
@AliPen
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

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 220,000 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.
 
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