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In the process of being diagnosed with type 2

BPF

BPF

Member
Messages
24
Hi guys,

I’m new here. Confused and a little worried.

the range my doctor has told me is 0-42 is normal, 43-47 is pre diabetes and 48+ is type 2.

my test last week showed 48 but the doctor said they need to do another test to confirm (currently booked for 29th March) and if I can get my glucose levels below a 48 by then that I wouldn’t have to register as type 2.

I’m a fussy eater and have cut out all junk foods and currently using my fitness pal to monitor the sugars I’m having. I’m trying to keep it either 25g per day or lower.

Is there anything else I can do that will help lower my levels before my next appointment or am I fighting a losing battle?

Thanks in advance,
Brendan
 
Hi @BPF and welcome to the forum.
The HbA1C test uses glycated red blood cells in order to show the average Blood Glucose levels over a period of around 2 1/2 to 3 months (depending upon average age of your red blood cells). Thus even if current blood Glucose changes dramatically, the HbA1C won't change much.

The reason they use 2 HbA1C tests to confirm a Diabetes diagnosis is in case of a faulty reading and because infection, injury, stress and lack of sleep can also raise BG. As can medications such as Statins and Steroids.

All carbohydrates turn into sugar as they are digested (some even start to do that in the mouth before you even swallow them). Thus the obvious way to Control/reverse Type 2 Diabetes is to reduce the total carbohydrate intake. This means starches (like potatoes flour, grains and even fruit as well as added sugar. The tropical fruit like bananas are the worst fruit for most Type 2's as are refined carbohydrates such as baked good and breakfast cereals, but even things you have been told are healthy (such as whole grains like oats or wholemeal bread) are little better.
Instead try to eat more proteins and fats such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts and lower carb vegs and berries (which are among the lowest carb fruit).
Here's a link to Jo Kalsbeek's 'nutritional thingy':
The Nutritional Thingy. | Diabetes Forum • The Global Diabetes Community
 
Hi @ianf0ster

Thanks for the below. I’ll check out the link now.

Regarding the test. You said they give the average over a 2 1/2 - 3 month period by my tests will only be around 3 weeks apart. Should I ask them to reschedule it closer to the 3 month mark?

Also I did have covid just before the test and now just recovering for a bad chest infection and current on a blood thinning med too.
 
A gap of 2 or 3 weeks between the initial 2 tests is normal in the UK.
Is there some particular reason why you don't want the free annual foot check and eye check ?

I don't understand what you mean about 'having to register as type 2'.
Type 1's and those Type 2's on insulin have to register as such with DVLC if they drive, but with such a borderline HbA1C I hardly think you will be put on insulin.
Perhaps it is something specific to your profession.
 
ianf0ster said:
A gap of 2 or 3 weeks between the initial 2 tests is normal in the UK.
Is there some particular reason why you don't want the free annual foot check and eye check ?

I don't understand what you mean about 'having to register as type 2'.
Type 1's and those Type 2's on insulin have to register as such with DVLC if they drive, but with such a borderline HbA1C I hardly think you will be put on insulin.
Perhaps it is something specific to your profession.
Click to expand...

Foot and eye check? Doctors have never mentioned this?

Yeah I thought it would be something like a diet and exercise type treatment but last week when the dr gave me those results they said if I get it below 48 by my next test “you won’t have to register as type 2”

I’m a desk jockey, worked in an office environment for the last 15 years…

To be honest, from the way the drs are talking about it it’s as if it is no big deal…
 
Hi. What do you mean by 'junk food'? The problem food for diabetes is all the Carbs which includes sugar, bread, pasta etc where starch-based flour is used. Fat in general is not a problem.
 
My own experience was that I went really low carb between tests ( a long wait due to covod lockdown) and missed out on being officially diagnosed, which I now regret as I don't get blood checks without a fight, and they are refusing to allow me the annual eye checks, even though I'm already partially sighted
With hindsight I should have stayed eating what was normal for me so I, and they , could really see how bad/advanced my diabetes was, then I could have dealt with it by low carbing but been in the system, and, hopefully, supported and educated. Now it's all just a fight as the diabetic nurse thinks I'm making it up. My meter doesn't lie.
Thank heaven for this site and others
 
@BPF The two tests close together are used to diagnose - particularly if the Hba1c is just on the edge. It could well be that the Covid virus was to blame - I have read of several people who had diagnoses after Covid who were then in the normal range after a few months - it is not something which is being investigated as far as I know, so anything could happen.
For some with higher Hba1cs, well into the diabetes range just cutting down on the carbohydrate is enough to lower it to under 48 - my own went from 91 to 47 in 80 days, so I suppose, officially I was never diagnosed with type 2 according to 'the rules' but a Hba1c of 91 is not something you can argue against. It is all carbohydrates, though other than the ones not digested, so starches and sugars need to be counted.
 
Resurgam said:
@BPF The two tests close together are used to diagnose - particularly if the Hba1c is just on the edge. It could well be that the Covid virus was to blame - I have read of several people who had diagnoses after Covid who were then in the normal range after a few months - it is not something which is being investigated as far as I know, so anything could happen.
For some with higher Hba1cs, well into the diabetes range just cutting down on the carbohydrate is enough to lower it to under 48 - my own went from 91 to 47 in 80 days, so I suppose, officially I was never diagnosed with type 2 according to 'the rules' but a Hba1c of 91 is not something you can argue against. It is all carbohydrates, though other than the ones not digested, so starches and sugars need to be counted.
Click to expand...

Wow thank you. This has settled my nerves a little! I’m also on blood thinners (Apixaban) and one of the side affects is increased bilirubin which can apparently mess with the results too.

I’ll still take every precautionary action I can to keep my level lower than 48 and even just purchased a blood glucose meter as I’ve seen in these forums that it’s a good idea to test before and 2 hrs after you eat to see how those food affect you.

Praying it’s covid and the meds that got this result but not taking any chances.
 
MrsA2 said:
My own experience was that I went really low carb between tests ( a long wait due to covod lockdown) and missed out on being officially diagnosed, which I now regret as I don't get blood checks without a fight, and they are refusing to allow me the annual eye checks, even though I'm already partially sighted
With hindsight I should have stayed eating what was normal for me so I, and they , could really see how bad/advanced my diabetes was, then I could have dealt with it by low carbing but been in the system, and, hopefully, supported and educated. Now it's all just a fight as the diabetic nurse thinks I'm making it up. My meter doesn't lie.
Thank heaven for this site and others
Click to expand...

I’m sorry to here you’ve had such a hard time with a diagnosis and how the drs are treating you. Surely as an annual regular check up they could still take bloods and check your levels? I had no complaints whatsoever but I’m on blood thinners so I get my bloods done once a year and they just happened to test for this too.

Exactly your meter doesn’t lie so how can they argue against it. Surely they should be brining you in and testing to confirm either way?
 
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