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Just been diagnosed with type 2

Sacwhh22

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi all

Just been diagnosed as type 2 - levels were 53 and 54 which I am guessing is not too horrendous a level to start with? Am I right in thinking this is low 7's?

Was very confused in the surgery - started off with the nurse who sent all the usual referrals off, told me t read the leaflets etc and start diet and exercise and then come back in 3 months to see if I have been able to bring it down. Sounded sensible

Then went in to the GP who prescribed 4 times 500mg Metformin. A day - going away and thinking about it, this seemed a bit full on to me so I have decided not to take them yet and see what lifestyle changes do to the levels first. Does this seem sensible to people??

I'm 39 male from South Wales BTW

CHEERS

Steve
Sent from my iPad using DCUK Forum
 
Hi @Sacwhh22 and welcome to the forum. An HbA1c of 53 would be 7%, or 8.6 mmol/L. Those readings aren't too high and many people on this forum have reduced their bs levels from higher than that to pre-diabetic or non-diabetic levels within a fairly short time by adopting a Low Carbohydrate High Fat (LCHF) approach to eating.
Some have taken the Metfornin, others decided not to. Metfornin does help, but only lowers bs slightly from what I have read.
It's up to you really to decide what you want to do.
Have a read round the threads and ask anything you want to, the people on here are friendly and supportive.
 
@Sacwhh22 -Hello and Welcome to the Forum. I will tag @daisy1 who will provide you with some basic information that all new members receive. Was you offered a blood glucose meter by your surgery nurse? Have a good read on the threads and come back with any questions you may have.:) Take a look at: http://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/60-seconds
 
Hi @Sacwhh22 and welcome! The leaflets probably tells you to eat plenty of healthy wholegrain with every meal. Don't do that.
Get a blood glucose meter as this will be your best tool to see what you can tolerate or not. There is one with fairly cheap test strips called the Codefree, someone will be along before long with links.

I follow LCHF and my HbA1c has been 32 for quite a while now. Dietdoctor is a brilliant site: http://www.dietdoctor.com /low-carb . Also check Ditch the Carbs, a NZ blog.

Carbs of all kinds will raise your BG and if they don't they'll f*ck up you liver, like fructose. Also don't overdo the protein as that can raise BG too while fat is fine, healthy and filling.
 
@Sacwhh22

Hello and welcome to the forum :) Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful, in addition to the comments you have got from members. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.


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 over 150,000 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-and-whole-grains.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

LOW CARB PROGRAM:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/low carb program


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 bloodglucose 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.
 
Hi and welcome. Metformin is a good safe drug but best started in steps over a few weeks up to the full dose. Yes, it may well be worth trying without it if you can do the low-carb diet which Daisy has given you information for. As another poster has said it normally best to ignore any NHS diet advice.
 
Hi and welcome,

I can't add much to the above good advice, save to say with an HbA1c like yours many GP's/nurses will allow at least a 3 month period on diet and exercise, no meds. Mine did. In fact Metformin was never mentioned and still hasn't been I'm glad to say. If you are overweight with plenty to lose, it may help suppress your appetite therefore it will aid weight loss. It won't allow you to eat carbs to your heart's content, it doesn't work that way. It's your body and your choice.

And yes ..... do buy a meter. It is the only tool we have to help us formulate a suitable diet. We will help you with this if/when you get one.

Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

Pharmacies don't sell them. There are discount codes if you buy in bulk and don't forget to declare your diabetes as it will then be VAT free.

5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
 
Hi all

Just been diagnosed as type 2 - levels were 53 and 54 which I am guessing is not too horrendous a level to start with? Am I right in thinking this is low 7's?

Was very confused in the surgery - started off with the nurse who sent all the usual referrals off, told me t read the leaflets etc and start diet and exercise and then come back in 3 months to see if I have been able to bring it down. Sounded sensible

Then went in to the GP who prescribed 4 times 500mg Metformin. A day - going away and thinking about it, this seemed a bit full on to me so I have decided not to take them yet and see what lifestyle changes do to the levels first. Does this seem sensible to people??

I'm 39 male from South Wales BTW

CHEERS

Steve
Sent from my iPad using DCUK Forum

Hi Steve…and welcome. I'm sure you will find the site/community a great help. I did. I am assuming that the levels you are referring to of 53/54 represent an HbA1c test result? It measures your average over a 3 month period. This would be about 7.1 %, equating to a reading of 8.7mmols. Most of the contributors here talk in mmols (the numbers shown on their own meters) or in the HbA1c numbers (eg. your 54)….very few refer to the % figure.


My initial diagnosis was above 20mmols (a one off reading), but my first HbA1c (shortly afterwards) came in at 54 (ie.8.7mmols) like yourself. I was prescribed Gliclazide as my Metformin is avoided in my situation (ie. post renal transplant).


I was given a meter to self test - my greatest tool) - do you have one? If not - GET ONE!


The pills weren't making a difference really and were doubled...not too much impact, but it appeared that changes to my diet were making a difference. I recorded details (ie. food eaten, time and meter reading before and after food, as well as when I took my pills). Informed by and armed with that, I advised my doctor that I wanted to try without the meds for a while. I then reduced my carbohydrate intake dramatically. Next HbA1c result a month later showed it was working...a month later down to 43 (ie.7.1mmols), and that's into the pre-diabetic range. That said, if I ease up on my carb intake, the levels go up.


I can't really say "yes...stop your meds" but I would say...ask you doctor for a meter and say you want to try diet and lifestyle change before the meds. Lots of GPs don't issue meters to Type 2s - so you may have to buy one. The easiest way to convince a doctor is with evidence that your own plan is working... Self-test, record readings and food eaten; drink a couple of litres of appropriate fluid a day...and I am sure you will get your levels right down on a LCHF diet (as many here have).


I would say discuss it with your doctor rather than just not taking meds. As I say, I stopped my meds and then told the doctor what I was doing - but I had evidence it was working as I had a meter and tested regularly. Good luck. Paul
 
@Sacwhh22

Hello and welcome to the forum :) Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful, in addition to the comments you have got from members. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.


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 over 150,000 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-and-whole-grains.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

LOW CARB PROGRAM:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/low carb program


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 bloodglucose 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.
Hi there. Your information is so helpful. I have an appointment next week with my gp and to be honest a wee bit scared. I have the symptoms of hypoglycemia and not sure what I should be doing with lifestyle etc. Thanks again.
Paul
 
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