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Hi - Have not been diagnosed but need some advice

B

Bluebell13

Active Member
Messages
41
Location
west country
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi All

I have been reading around this forum for a couple of weeks and what a knowledgeable and helpful bunch you are so I have decided to join.

To give a bit of background I have not had a diagnosis of Type 2 but feel that I may be when I visit the GP in the next week or two. Type 2 has run in my mother's side of the family and so I like to keep an eye on things myself. I have done a few fasting tests in the morning and have had readings in the 7.3 - 7.8 range so I need to try and get this sorted. My lancet device has now broken and so have been unable to do any further testing. I have ordered a new one. I am overweight and also have an underactive thyroid which makes it even harder to lose weight! However, after reading a lot on here I am trying to cut out carbs where I can and have lost a few pounds and will continue with that. My last fasting test done at the GP's was last April 12 and that was 6.0 and so from then on I just assumed everything was ok and never thought any more about it until this testing now. I am not due to go back until November but do not want to leave it that long.

What I would like to ask is is it likely that I will be put on Metformin or told to try diet and exercise first? I am not that keen on having yet more meds to take but would I be doing myself a disservice if I turned down the offer of Metformin and went for the diet and exercise - this is assuming, of course, that I would get offered any meds to begin with?

Could anyone also recommend a good low GI book that I could buy as I have not much idea of what is low GI and what isn't - especially where fruit is concerned etc.

I am scared and worried like everyone else must have felt at the beginning and also nervous of testing before and after meals in case I get any more shocks even though I am watching every morsel now.

So, any reassurance and advice would be most welcome

Bluebell
 
I hesitate to offer advice to you, there are many on this forum better educated in diabetes than me. If you are finding it difficult to lose weight through exercise, do you feel the benifits to your general wellbeing? I found that even with simple slowish walking (for me a long walk is easier than a fast one) my stamina etc improved, which can only be a good thing. It also seems to be a lot easier to follow a low carb diet if you eat meat. There are things you can try such as using cauliflower instead of rice. I haven't tried that myself. Does an underactive thyroid stop you eating as suggested on the low carb forum? Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I await the results of your test and your decision on what you will do. Please try the diet and exercise route, it has helped me and many others here and it will show your Dr. that you are serious about your health.
Good luck,
Lee.
 
Thank you all for your advice and I will certainly keep you abreast of things now that I have joined here.

One of the things that I have to beware of with Underactive Thyroid is Soya so I would not have soya milk or yoghurts etc but would be able to low carb generally as such and having meat is not a problem. My exercise at the moment is one of those exercise steps which I go on at least twice a day - and will build up to more and get in some walking where I can.

You have put my mind at rest Nomistheman about Metformin and good to know that you can come off or reduce if you are well enough and have good control levels.

I am trying with the lower carb approach and this morning's fasting reading was a lovely surprise at 5.4 and 2 hours after a breakfast of 50g porridge made with water, with just a little milk to serve, and with a few raspberrys was 7.3. In your opinion does this seem too high after breakfast? I am in the process of trying different breakfasts to see what I can tolerate. I haven't been able to test further yet as need to get some more lancets.

I do my fasting tests as I am getting out of bed in the morning - am I right in doing it that way or should you walk around a little first to get blood sugar levels lowering and then take it?

Also do they diagnose on a fasting test at the GP or do they do one of the HA 3 month tests and diagnose on that?

I will try the D & E route Lee but I just wanted to know what to do if the GP does suggest Metformin - whether to go along with it or fight against it for the time being.

I hope I am not bombarding you with too many questions but just so grateful to be able to speak to others who are travelling this road.

I am off to look at the low GI link that Squire Fullwood has suggested - thanks Squire for that one.

Bluebell
 
Hi Nomistheman

I tested about 6.00am and then had breakfast an hour later at about 7.00am - would this make any difference to the outcome?
 
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