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Just diagnosed

Kevdons

Newbie
Messages
2
Good evening .
I’ve had a blood test done and it’s come back at 61 and normal is 48 I’m very upset and worried haven’t got app with DN until 25/4 any advice please x
 
First of all.......a hug to you by way of welcome

second I'll tag in @daisy1 and then you'll get the basics..........have a quick shufty over that and then feel free to comment....get involved,that's the best way!!
 
Good evening .
I’ve had a blood test done and it’s come back at 61 and normal is 48 I’m very upset and worried haven’t got app with DN until 25/4 any advice please x

Breath and all will be well. Lots of advice and help here!
 
I would offer some advice but I don’t feel far enough along my journey to do so but there are lots of people who will be along to help. I will say don’t worry. Eas was so scared but taking in all in my stride now as you will!
 
Good evening .
I’ve had a blood test done and it’s come back at 61 and normal is 48 I’m very upset and worried haven’t got app with DN until 25/4 any advice please x

Hi and welcome.

You will have now received the basic info which is really helpful. Have a read of this too:

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/

I was diagnosed with a hba1c of 62. Soon got it down to non diabetic levels where it has stayed since. Just had my latest diabetic appointment and its official, I'm 'in remission '. I and many have done this by choosing a low carb way of eating.

For me my diagnosis has been a blessing in disguise. Much healthier now.

Have a read of the info and fire away with any questions you might have.
 
I was diagnosed about 2 and 1/2 years ago and have been eating a low carb diet ever since - and I am better than fine.
Tonight I went off to longsword practice - the dance one, not edged weapons, and have come home and cooked myself a nice bit of steak.
Tomorrow I'll get up and have salad plus oil and vinegar dressing, and coleslaw and all the things from the fridge with some protein - and coffee with cream. I will not need to eat again until evening.
Wednesday is Cotswold morris practice, Thursday is Border morris but I only play the music for them.
 
Good evening .
I’ve had a blood test done and it’s come back at 61 and normal is 48 I’m very upset and worried haven’t got app with DN until 25/4 any advice please x

Hello and welcome to the forum,

We have all been in your position when first diagnosed, so we do understand your feelings. Many of us, myself included, soon came to realise it is the kick up the bum we needed to get our health and well being back on track, lose weight if we needed to, and get to eat some delicious foods. It is not the life sentence it was once thought to be, far from it. (despite the scare stories in the media)

Have a good read round, and ask as many questions as you wish.
 
@Kevdons
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both 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 147,000 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 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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