Hi

Prem51

Expert
Messages
7,393
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
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Welcome to the forum @Tracey_2019. It's good that you are taking action now to avoid becoming fully diabetic.
A lot of the pre-diabetics and Type 2 diabetics have found that avoiding or lowering their intake of starchy carbohydrates has lowered their blood glucose levels.
Starchy carbs like bread, potatoes, pasta and rice turn to sugar quickly in our bodies so aren't good for pre-diabetics or Type 2 diabetics.
Have a read round the threads to see how this works and ask any questions you want. The people on here are friendly and supportive.
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi and welcome.

All you have to do is read round the forum threads, and if you have any questions, just ask.
 
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daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
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Cruelty towards animals.
@Tracey_2019
Hello Tracey 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 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
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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Stephen Lewis

Well-Known Member
Messages
207
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Hypocrites, liars, donald trump (no capitals for emphasis)
I can strongly recommend the Low Carb Diet program. I have lost over 20 lbs in six months. My glucose levels dropped enough that I was able to stop insulin. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic over 10 years ago and had ever increasing levels of, and different, medications until about 12 months ago when the insulin began. The insulin doses also increased until I began the diet. I am now back to the same medications I was taking about 8 years ago. Keep the carbs down, check your glucose levels regularly (A1Cs are best) and watch this forum for help, information and support.
 

Spl@

Well-Known Member
Messages
513
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Humans that only take.
Hey. Welcome. I'm pre-diabetic, or was depends on your view.

Was 15.5 stone, 1c of 47 and several medical concerns

That was October. Now I have a 1c 0f 31. Weigh 11.5 stone and have never felt healthier.

2 things. Test till your fingers hurt. Read this forum till your cross-eyed.

Simples
 

Franchesca

Member
Messages
15
Hey. Welcome. I'm pre-diabetic, or was depends on your view.

Was 15.5 stone, 1c of 47 and several medical concerns

That was October. Now I have a 1c 0f 31. Weigh 11.5 stone and have never felt healthier.

2 things. Test till your fingers hurt. Read this forum till your cross-eyed.

Simples
 

Franchesca

Member
Messages
15
Well done Spl@ Similar weight and reduction aswell as timescales to me my next HBA1c due in 2 weeks Id be over the moon if mine was reduced similarly. I have not been advised to test but see it can be done so might try as I have been working blind for 6 mth other than seeing my weight reduction on bathroom scales and monitoring my steps activity etc on fit bit type watch. I have not done low carb though and am on Atorvastatin which makes me worried as in some people it can raise sugar levels. Keep your fingers crossed for me.:(
 

Spl@

Well-Known Member
Messages
513
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Humans that only take.
Best of luck.

Have to say, did 2 things on finding out I was pre diabetic.

Spoke to Dr Google and found this forum. I then bought a meter. Worth it's weight in gold in getting this under control, in as far as you can.

No meds for me. My doc at least has the sense to see what I could do to change things.
They did regard my 1c result as an error though. Apparently dropping that far that fast is not possible. 100 down to 80 yes and more because its so high but 47 to 31 in 3 months. Nope.

Easier to take me off whatever NHS list I was on I think.