Horrendous Hba1c

[TracyA]

Ive just seen my doctor as I had bloods done last week for Hba1c so went to get my results.I was told they were horrendous at 11%,He said I'd more than likely been diabetic for a long time going undetected.
I rarely go to the doctors as i dont really trust them due to problems with my youngest (long story) so i really had no contact with my gp so if i were ill,i got over the counter meds.Anyway,I now have to take x2 500mg Metformin instead of 1,and then he wants me to gradually go to 4 a day.He wants me to test my levels 3 times aday and hes hoping to get them into single figures soon,if not he will look into something else.I dont know what though,i didnt ask.He is also sending me to a group (DESMONDS) so i can learn alot of things that i need to know.Theres just so much to learn and to take in,its so scary.

 

[sugarless sue]

When have you been told to test Tracy?
It is best to test just before eating then two hours after a meal to see how the food that you have eaten affects your blood sugar levels. If you keep a food diary as well by the end of a couple of weeks you should have a picture of which foods are good for your blood sugars and which are not.

 

[TracyA]

Hi,he didnt really say,he just asked how many times i was testing,i told him about 3 and he said that was fine.
Ive just spoken to the nurse and shes booked me in for a retina test or something? I have to go and fill in a form for prescription exemption,i have to take a urine sample and make an appointment to see her.What does the nurse do as opposed to he doctor? How often are the appointments?

 

[hanadr]

Tracy
Testing isn't much use unless you know what to do with the results. With a high HbA1c, you've obviously been eating too much carbohydrate, either as sugars or starches. You need to control these. You can do it in a number of ways and you need to choose which suits you.
Simplest and mosrt direct, is just cut down HARD on the carbs.
then you could cut down carb portions. It will take a while to find what's right for you.
Examine GI and GL and see if that's the road for you.
Take more medicine, which seems to be the strategy your doctor is applying.
Testing will show whether you are succeeding, whichever method you choose.
Hana

 

[ShyGirl]

Hi ,

You probably feel overwhelmed right now so my advice is to make sure you read about Diabetes and how to change your diet to a low carb one as it seems to help most Diabetics. The nurse does the job of a doctor for less money from what I can see but it's good they are asking you to bring a sample etc
Depending on your clinic's approach you will be seen every 3 months for a blood test but it seems to vary.

 

[wallycorker]

Hi Tracy,

I agree totally with Hana - it's very important that you cut down on the sugars and starchy carbohydrates - e.g.cereals, bread, potatoes, rice and pasta etc. You might get different advice from your health team - they might even advise that you eat more starchy carbohydrate. If they do then in my opinion that's the road to knowhere!

It's good that you've started testing because sometimes they are against Type 2s doing that due to cost reasons.

Best wishes - John

 

[IanD]

Hi, & sorry to welcome you here.

15 years ago I was screened for diabetes (glucose tolerance test) & was clear.

10 years ago I was diagnosed with HBA of 11. Dr want to check so I was tested again a month later. Meanwhile I gave up sugary things. HBA dropped to 8. I was advised to diet - low salt/sugar/fat - & eat complex carbohydrates - brown everything & medium glycemic index.

I was also told diabetes was progressive. Last year I had serious mobility problems which with advice from this forum I treated by a low carb diet. Within 3 months I was fit again.

I recommend testing overnight, & looking for a reading initially below 7, but preferably below 6. My problems came on with readings just below 7, & cleared when they dropped below 6.