Hi.

catza · Apr 3, 2012

Hi everyone I have decided I need to stop lurking in the shadows.

I was diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic on 16th February this year and have been visiting this brilliant forum since then to try to sort out a plan to help me get a grip on what I need to do. So far I have changed to a low carb/low GI diet which seems to be working and I am at long last loosing some of the weight I have struggled to remove over the last 20 years on YoYo dieting. Cabbage diet anyone?

I have my blood tested every few months due to different health problems and a raised Blood Sugar result in January came out of the blue. A retest confirmed the first result and I was sent for a Glucose Intolerance Test which gave results of Fasting 7 ... 2 hours later 11.7.

I seem to be quite lucky with my GP Practice as they have a GP who specialises in Diabetes and he was prepared to spend a decent amount of time with me on my first appointment with him in February. He went over all the expected advise and was happy for me to go with low carbohydrates but suggested, I think partly due to my difficulties with exercising, that I started on Metformin straight away and I have gradually got up to the 4 X 500gms a day he prescribed. No free monitor though.

Following the second fasting blood test I bought my self a SD Codefree Monitor and have used it to help me keep track of what food items can cause me problems.... Pea and Ham soup ...

Baring the odd higher test result( all of which followed something I was testing) I find my readings are pretty consistent with a fasting level of 6/7 and premeal readings of 5/6 increasing to 6/7 two hours after eating. I realise these readings are probably lower than I deserve considering my unhealthy past diet/lifestyle but I also know I have to get them lower.

I am back with my GP on Thursday and am hoping my first HBA1c result will be better than I fear.

Sorry for the long post but putting it all down in black and white has helped me put things into perspective.

Catza.

daisy1 · Apr 3, 2012

Hi Catza and welcome to the forum I'm glad you have stopped lurking and finally decided to join us. In case you didn't see this on your travels, here is the information we give to new members. Ask as many questions as you like and there will be someone who will have an answer.

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 30,000 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

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

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

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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Please sign our e-petition for free testing for all type 2's; here's the link:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/petition/

Do get your friends and colleagues to sign as well.

xyzzy · Apr 3, 2012

Hi Catza and welcome.

Looks like you're doing really well so well done you :clap: Levels seem to be funny things in some people they can come right back down in days and in others in takes a while so don't knock your excellent levels be proud of them!

If you've been a lurker then you know the best advice is to just ask questions.

Take care

Grazer · Apr 3, 2012

Welcome Catza! Don't be too dissapointed if your HbA1c isn't quite where you want it yet. That test looks at your blood sugars over the previous 3 months, although heavily weighted to the last month. Nonetheless, you haven't had the full 3 months since diagnosis for your low carb diet to have maximum effect. Also, it does take a little time for your BGs to start sorting themselves out. I'm sure it will be a good result, just don't be overly concerned if it's not great.

Defren · Apr 3, 2012

Hello Catza. I was diagnosed March 5th with a HbA1c of 7.0. Like you I hit the track running and began to low carb immediately. I am looking forward to my next test, as I am sure my Doctor will be quite baffled. :lol: Welcome to the forum, keep up the good work and ask questions.

catza · Apr 3, 2012

Thanks for the welcome everyone. You are a great bunch and I am so pleased I found you all.

Daisy, the basic information you have added to your post was one of the first things I read back in February and was one of the most helpful pieces of information I read on that first bad day when my head was spinning from the enormity of the task ahead.

I can honestly thank the forum and it's members for getting me through the first few days when I was coming to terms with the fact that my life had to radically change.

lydia520 · Apr 23, 2012

Dottybagpuss · Apr 23, 2012

Hi Catza

I am a recent newbie on these forums too, and have already found oodles of new information, ideas and encouragement from all the "friends" on here. No question is too simple or complicated and help and advice is always only a click away. So keep posting and asking, and I'm sure you have lots of good help and advice to give others too, even if you don't realise it yet!! :thumbup:

And Hi Lydia too, welcome to the forum where you can post, read or simply observe until you feel ready to join in. We are, it seems to me, just one big family of diabetics who will always look after each other....

catza · Apr 23, 2012

Thanks Dottybagpuss, Oh I do love your username.

I am pleased to say that I have had loads of support and still think that finding and joining this forums was one of the pluses in getting this dratted condition. I can't believe how fast the last couple of months have passed, I feel that I have found the place to hang my hat and get my feet under the table with this wonderful community.

Dottybagpuss · Apr 23, 2012

catza said:
Thanks Dottybagpuss, Oh I do love your username.

Thanks catza, it kinda describes me quite well..... a bit dotty, a bit baggy and a bit of a pussycat!!

:lol:

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