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Just diagnosed!

Sandrao

Sandrao

Active Member
Messages
35
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Just wanted to say Hi to everyone.was told on Friday I have T2,frightened and anxious! Appt to have blood test again on 27th and DN on 6/3 seems ages away. What can I expect and what should I be doing whilst I'm waiting. Any advice welcome please.
 
Love to help, but I was diagnosed as T1 4 months ago so I'm useless. I'm sure you'll get lots of replies as this lot are super helpful and supportive.
 
Hi, welcome to the forum :) It's natural to feel frightened and anxious, we were all there once. I'll tag @daisy1 and she will send you some useful info soon.

When you get your blood test results ask your GP or nurse if you can have a printout of your results and then if there's anything you don't understand someone here will be able to help you with them.

What can you expect? Well you will probably be told to cut down on sugars, but most of us here would say look at other carbs too. So it might be an idea to start gradually cutting down on these before your appointments. Are you overweight? Have you any idea what the initial blood test result was?
 
welcome to the forum, im sure more type 2s will be along soon, do u know what your reslts were?while waiting on your appointment try to cut down on carbs and sugars:)
 
@Sandrao

Hello and welcome to the forum :)

Here is the information we give to new members and I hope this will help you a bit to understand what to expect. 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 130,000 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

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.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum,

Of course you will be scared and anxious, it's natural, but it will pass once you get your head round it all. The second blood test will just to confirm the diagnosis and will be what is called an HbA1c. This is a sort of average of your glucose levels over the preceding 2 to 3 months, weighted towards the last few weeks of that period.

If your nurse appointment is typical, you will be weighed, measured, and given referrals for an annual retinal eye screening, foot check, and a future invitation to attend a course. She should also take your BP and go through your blood results with you. These probably also include cholesterol and lipid tests. She will probably give you some leaflets and booklets about diet. Everyone (almost) on this forum will tell you to take them with a pinch of salt as it will be eat carbs with every meal, swap from white to wholemeal, and eat low fat. This is the usual NHS dietary guidance given to type 2's, and quite frankly is dangerous. Have a good read round and you will soon learn why. Type 2 care is normally devolved to nurses these days rather than GPs. If the nurse thinks you need medication she will prescribe it for you, but she may offer you the choice of trying diet with a little added exercise for the first 3 months, and then a review after those 3 months.

Ask any questions you like, and good luck.
 
Hi & welcome.
This will give you some idea into what to maybe looking at eating to getting things under control.
A good starting place on what to look for when shopping.
Found a handy shopping list to point newly diagnosed in the right direction on what to buy until you get the hang of things.
A Sample Low Carb Grocery List for Dieters

low carb grocery list
If you’ve just started a low carb diet, then your refrigerator probably needs an overhaul. So many common foods are packed with more carbs then you need.

Time to hit the grocery store!
If you’re looking for a ready-made low carb grocery list, here is one that you can print out and have on hand while shopping for groceries. Experience has taught me that low carb dieting involves a big portion of impulse control along with a decent-sized pinch of planning ahead. I have started shopping on a full stomach, armed with a low carb grocery list. This has made grocery shopping quick and effective. No longer do I feel threatened by the bakery at the super market!

I prefer to shop aisle by aisle, and that is how this list is put together. Please note, this list does not follow one particular diet. I would suggest you read every label for net carbohydrate count before you purchase anything. On average, foods that contain up to 5 grams of healthy carbohydrate per serving, are considered moderate to low carb. How you incorporate these healthy carb choices into your diet will make all the difference. The low carb dieter also has to shop for protein, fiber, grains, beverages, snacks, dessert and supplements.

Essential Foods on a Low Carb Grocery List

Fresh Vegetables You Should Buy

low carb grocery list broccoli
Broccoli is inexpensive and very healthy!
Alfalfa sprouts – .45 net grams per cup
Avocados – 3.65 net grams per medium avocado
Spinach – .39 net grams per cup
Artichokes – 7.09 net grams per medium globe
Bell Peppers – 4.78 net grams per medium pepper
Broccoli – 3.64 net grams per cup (chopped)
Basil – .01 net grams per tablespoon
Parsley – .14 net grams per tablespoon
Cauliflower (makes for excellent imitation mashed potatoes) – 2.8 net grams per cup
Cucumbers – 1.59 net grams per 1/2 cup slices
Celery – .59 net grams per medium stalk
Ginger – .36 net grams per teaspoon
Garlic – 0 net grams per clove
Eggplant – 1.87 net grams per cup (cubed)
Lettuce – .93 net grams per cup (shredded or chopped)
Mushrooms – 1.6 net grams per cup (sliced or chopped)
Radish – 2.04 net grams per cup (sliced)
Hot peppers – 1 net gram per tablespoon
Celeriac

low carb fruits fructose
Berries and melons are sweet and especially low on carbs.
Apples – 15.76 net grams per medium apple
Oranges – 12.29 net grams per medium orange
Grapefruit (if you are on thyroid medication, check with your physician before eating grapefruit) – 8.94 net grams per half medium grapefruit
Raspberries – 6.69 net grams per cup
Strawberries – 8.67 net grams per cup (halved)
Blueberries – 17.51 net grams per cup
Peaches – 7.85 net grams per medium peach
Limes – 5.16 net grams per medium lime
Lemons – 3.81 net grams per medium lemon


Salad Dressings and Toppings to Use

Sesame oil – 0 net grams per serving
Other seasoned oils
Balsamic vinegar – 2.55 net grams per tablespoon

Nuts and seeds: All nuts are permitted in most low carb diets. The key is to stick to the assigned portion sizes.
Great Proteins for Low Carb Dieters

low carb grocery list protein
Lean proteins are essential in any diet
Meat
Fish
Eggs (especially egg whites) – .38 net grams per large egg
Poultry
Other seafood
If there are no other health issues, the low carb dieter will benefit from eating some red meat in the week. This will help with iron stores. Also, if you are going to buy processed meat like sausage, read the label carefully. Often, these may have significant quantities of starches in them. Breaded foods do not belong on a low carb grocery list!

Dairy Products You’re Allowed to Have

Cottage cheese – about 6 net grams per cup, depending on the brand
Sour cream – about .5 net grams per tablespoon, depending on the brand
Cheese
Heavy cream – about .5 net grams per tablespoon, depending on the brand
Low-carb yogurt (yes, there is such a thing, and it’s delicious too!) – depends on the variety and brand

Oils and Fats with Few Carbs

Olive Oil – 0 net carbs per serving
Canola – 0 net carbs per serving
Butter – ~0 net carbs per serving
Ghee (clarified butter) – 0 net carbs per serving
Cooking sprays – most have 0 net carbs per serving
Coconut oil – 0 net carbs per serving

Mustard – .19 net grams per teaspoon
Mayonnaise (full fat/regular) – 3.51 net grams per tablespoon
Tomato ketchup – 5 net grams per tablespoon
Tomato paste – 2.33 net grams per tablespoon
Black olives (black olives are lower carb than their green cousins) – 1 net gram per 4 olives
Sun dried tomatoes – 3 net grams per tablespoon
Pesto – depends on variety and brand
Read the labels of all your condiments to make sure they are sugar free.

Grains with a Low Carb Count

Lentils are one of the best low carb grains!
Lentils (for vegetarian low carb dieters) – 22.21 net grams per cup (cooked)
Chick peas (also known as garbanzo beans) – 13 net grams per 1/2 cup

Bakery Items You Can Purchase

Smart & Delicious Low Carb Tortillas – The nutritional value of these tortillas is great. It has 3 gms of net carb per tortilla. Not bad! use these for quick, healthy wraps.
livlife - 4g a slice
Burgen linseed & soya - 11g a slice, slightly less when toasted. (shop around price varies from £1.59 coop to £1 in asda).
Black rye bread (if your diet permits it) – depends on brand
Ryvita, great with alot of things & some use as a bread substitute or for snacks.


Other Low Carb Options

Dark Chocolate 70% or more Cocoa has 14 net carbs in every 4 square serving.

Avoid low fat products they will have a higher sugar content.

To get more bang for your buck remember that you can buy all your vegetables and meats from the frozen section. They are less expensive and as nutritious as the fresh items.
http://www.easylowcarbdesserts.com/low-carb-grocery-list/

I found that carrying Winnie Chan's book Gi &Gl counter around when shopping helps by looking at the Gl of a food you will know whether it will have a low medium or high loading on your blood lvl.

Another handy book to have when it comes to knowing & controlling the condition.
http://www.xperthealth.org.uk/shop/details/p/handbook-lowcarb-highfat-lifestyle
 
Hello and welcome ,,
Lots to read here ....
Have a Google and read on the information given , there is lots ...Daisy gives good information gets you thinking ...
Along with others here ...

Your appointmrnt will soon be here , quicker than you think ...
Go with an open mind and maybe a list of questions with you ...
Good to collect as much information and discuss as much as you can ...

Then slowly make changes to your diet , you may have already done this , make sure your diet meets all your health needs ...
Keep reading in the meantime stay in touch ....best wishes ..Kat
 
zand said:
Hi, welcome to the forum :) It's natural to feel frightened and anxious, we were all there once. I'll tag @daisy1 and she will send you some useful info soon.

When you get your blood test results ask your GP or nurse if you can have a printout of your results and then if there's anything you don't understand someone here will be able to help you with them.

What can you expect? Well you will probably be told to cut down on sugars, but most of us here would say look at other carbs too. So it might be an idea to start gradually cutting down on these before your appointments. Are you overweight? Have you any idea what the initial blood test result was?
Click to expand...
Thank you and my bg was 9. 7 and yes I'm very overweight been given metfortin but told not to take it till I've seen the nurse as she might change it
 
Hi @Sandrao welcome :).

It is a shock but don't panic it is manageable. When I was diagnosed I also had a three week wait to see the DN. In that time I came on here, started low-carbing (LCHF) and by the time I saw the DN my BG levels were well on the way to control and my weight was already coming down. You could do the same, make the delay into a positive. The results should give you the confidence to withstand the recommendation from the DN to eat carbohydrates (the standard and hopelessly wrong NICE guidance). Who knows she might even delay implementing the metformin and let you continue on diet alone as long as you stick with it.

Have a read of the first item linked in my sig below and ask any questions.
 
A quick word about metformin. My experience was that it didn't cause me any problems (though many get an upset tummy at least at first). The only time I got a tummy upset with it was when I ate too many carbs in a meal. I asked my GP for metformin because someone on here told me about it. Unfortunately he won't let me have it anymore because my HbA1c is no longer in the diabetic range. I would love to still be taking it as I found it a great help in reducing insulin resistance, and therefore it helped my weight loss - which in turn helped to improve my general health, including the diabetes.

At 9.7 your BG does need to improve, but it could be a lot worse, and as sanguine says you can start working on this while waiting for your appointment.

Good luck :)

And continue to ask questions!

edit: I meant to add that metformin can also help suppress the appetite and I found this useful! I don't think it did much to bring my BG's down, maybe just a little, but it did help me to help myself.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hang around .... someone is always here to help :) Get it under control and we'll all helpl :)
 
Have cut out all potatoes cakes crisps and changed bread to linseed and soya bread. Eating fruit 2/3 pieces a day. Had mince with carrots and onion gravy with cabbage and broccoli for tea. Am I on the right road??
 
You need to test the carrots and gravy. Carrots can cause spikes as they are starchy, and be careful what you use to thicken the gravy. Otherwise that sounds brilliant!
 
Thanks bluetit haven't got a meter yet can't remember the one everyone was talking about on here though
 
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