LCHF - fasting and Very high Blood Sugar levels

[Brunneria]

Hi, you mentioned a reaction to the injected insulin you were prescribed.
So i expect that you want to avoid that in future.

However, if you are a type 1 or LADA, then insulin is in your future. Unavoidably so.

You aren’t the first person to react to insulin, but as I understand it, the reaction is often to the preservatives used, not the insulin itself. There are also different types of insulin. The animal insulins are sometimes better tolerated, when/if the modern insulins are not.

Unfortunately, general practitioners and practice nurses are often unaware of all the options available, so you would be best to get a referral to the nearest diabetes clinic. Your doc can refer you, and cannot refuse, if you ask for a second opinion. Once there, you can discuss your situation with someone with more experience and a better understanding of the different options.

If it turns out you are T2, then there are many, many different drug combos, and if you are T1/LADA there are different insulin brands.

Please don’t think that you only have the options you have tried so far.

 

[Daibell]

I am so confused as recent research cited on sites such as Diet Doctor and Jason Fung suggests that a pancreas can regain function after fasting periods.
I also understand that going on insulin increases weight and therefore the issues surrounding that.

I am definitely going to ask for tests as I must admit I do feel rather frustrated that I have no definite diagnosis other than HbA1c.

Insulin itself does not cause weight gain but it enables the body to metabolise the carbs you have and if that is too many you will gain weight; it's the carbs not the insulin. I agree with the other posts that T1 is possible.

 

[Luce13]

How do. You know you have too much insulin already?

If you are a T2 who doesn't make lots of insulin (such people do exist), or if you are actually a slow onset T1. Or similar, you may not be making enough insulin at all.

Levels into double figures tend to cause damage; especially over time. What timescales would be a personal thing.

Going onto insulin isn't a one-way street for many T2s. For T1s it is though.

Please do have a good chat with your Doc. They are there to support you, not to railroad you, but honestly, those big numbers are doing you no favours.

I have been to my Dr and he is referring me to a specialist as he cannot do the blood tests to confirm or deny T1 and has admitted he has never seen the results I have when fasting. I tested my sugar infront if him.

He said the liver will only release sugar if the blood sugars go dangerously low.

I the meantime I am going to, on his advice, trymetformin again but only on days I eat.

I will await my appointment.

 

[Luce13]

Hi, you mentioned a reaction to the injected insulin you were prescribed.
So i expect that you want to avoid that in future.

However, if you are a type 1 or LADA, then insulin is in your future. Unavoidably so.

You aren’t the first person to react to insulin, but as I understand it, the reaction is often to the preservatives used, not the insulin itself. There are also different types of insulin. The animal insulins are sometimes better tolerated, when/if the modern insulins are not.

Unfortunately, general practitioners and practice nurses are often unaware of all the options available, so you would be best to get a referral to the nearest diabetes clinic. Your doc can refer you, and cannot refuse, if you ask for a second opinion. Once there, you can discuss your situation with someone with more experience and a better understanding of the different options.

If it turns out you are T2, then there are many, many different drug combos, and if you are T1/LADA there are different insulin brands.

Please don’t think that you only have the options you have tried so far.

Thank you for the information
I have asked for a referral and have been advised to reintroduce Metformin but only when not fasting.
I have tried a few different drugs since diagnosis 12 years ago ( gestational 30years ago)

I need to know what type of diabetes I have and I think my GP could see how worried I am and as I have said to another person in here he admitted he has absolutely no idea what to do.

 

[Flora123]

I have been to my Dr and he is referring me to a specialist as he cannot do the blood tests to confirm or deny T1 and has admitted he has never seen the results I have when fasting. I tested my sugar infront if him.

He said the liver will only release sugar if the blood sugars go dangerously low.

I the meantime I am going to, on his advice, trymetformin again but only on days I eat.

I will await my appointment.

I’m surprised he hasn’t seen Fasting results like that. My doc didn’t seem to show it was something he hadn’t seen before, apart from the fact I’m slim which did surprise him. Although the next time I was seen my BS testing was 6.5! The benefits of LCHF

 

[Freema]

I am so confused as recent research cited on sites such as Diet Doctor and Jason Fung suggests that a pancreas can regain function after fasting periods.
I also understand that going on insulin increases weight and therefore the issues surrounding that.

I am definitely going to ask for tests as I must admit I do feel rather frustrated that I have no definite diagnosis other than HbA1c.

One only gain weight from insulin if the level is too High , all people need insuline in adequate amounts

 

[Luce13]

I’m surprised he hasn’t seen Fasting results like that. My doc didn’t seem to show it was something he hadn’t seen before, apart from the fact I’m slim which did surprise him. Although the next time I was seen my BS testing was 6.5! The benefits of LCHF

Did you have high blood sugars of 20? If so how long before they came down?

 

[Freema]

I have been to my Dr and he is referring me to a specialist as he cannot do the blood tests to confirm or deny T1 and has admitted he has never seen the results I have when fasting. I tested my sugar infront if him.

He said the liver will only release sugar if the blood sugars go dangerously low.

I the meantime I am going to, on his advice, trymetformin again but only on days I eat.

I will await my appointment.

Well then he is not so well informed , many type 2 diabetics have a liver that has a higher rate of producing blood glucose all Day long which is part of the problem of cause

 

[Flora123]

Did you have high blood sugars of 20? If so how long before they came down?

Yes. See my previous post. I was diagnosed and had FBG if 22. I was so shocked and confused I went LC immediately (before I found this site) and by the time I next saw my doc my BG was reading 6.5 in a finger prick. Maybe I’m lucky/unusual....

 

[Luce13]

One only gain weight from insulin if the level is too High , all people need insuline in adequate amounts

Hoping I will get this rested when I go to see the specialist.

 

[Resurgam]

I hope that you are soon sorted out - low carb is usually really effective and brings BG levels down towards normal levels in days - My Hba1c went 91 to 47 in 80 days and I can't say I was really trying, to be honest.
Do keep checking your levels and go to A&E if it doesn't go down - as DKA can be dangerous.

 

[Luce13]

I hope that you are soon sorted out - low carb is usually really effective and brings BG levels down towards normal levels in days - My Hba1c went 91 to 47 in 80 days and I can't say I was really trying, to be honest.
Do keep checking your levels and go to A&E if it doesn't go down - as DKA can be dangerous.

I have returned to medication today and levels are slowly falling so that is promising.

Thanks to you all for your helpful,caring comments. It was through the support I got on this post that I was empowered to question and to request the referral.

I am very grateful.

 

[Luce13]

Hey, not sure if anyone is still following this but I thought I would update you.

I went to my GP and have been referred to the diabetes centre here. My appointment is 25th March.

I returned to metformin and gliclazide and have continued with <30g carbs a day with regular 24 hour fasts.

My BS have been steadily dropping and I have my PM reading to 6.5 -7.5 over the last 7 days!! Better than the 11-17 I was getting.

Fasting bloods in the morning are high at 12-14 but again vastly improved from 20-21.

I am recording my BS 5-7 times daily and have all the records to take with me to the specialist.

I guess I was too hasty trying to cut all meds when my main aim had been to stay off insulin. I am hopeful that will be the case.

Thanks all for your advice when I was in need.

 

[AloeSvea]

I have been to my Dr and he is referring me to a specialist as he cannot do the blood tests to confirm or deny T1 and has admitted he has never seen the results I have when fasting. I tested my sugar infront if him.

He said the liver will only release sugar if the blood sugars go dangerously low.

I am very pleased to read a happy ending re getting a referral to experts! Because of course without a good diagnosis it is not possible to come up with the best treatment methods to choose from. And that word 'options' as said by Brunneria, is an absolutely fabulous word for us all to keep in mind when it comes to treatment.

Just wanted to add a 'ps' to this very interesting and informative thread in case others are reading for info - I do want to say that my life with blood glucose dysregulation would be VERY different, as in - I wouldn't have it, if the liver only released glucose if the blood glucose level was dangerously low. The doctor in giving this info is well wrong.

The liver releasing glucose 'inappropriately' (as in there is plenty of glucose in the blood already) is in fact an obvious marker of - type two diabetes! Sigh.

 

[Luce13]

I am in total agreement as with all the research I have done myself leads me to conclude that is exactly what my liver was doing.

I am pleased to say my BS levels have reduced dramatically and I will be presenting the specialist with readings that include many 5-7 late afternoon readings. I intend to continue with <20g carbs a day and IF 24/48 hours as I am really pleased with the results.

It has been hard doing it with no HCP support but hopefully they will see how far I’ve come and support me in moving towards reducing my meds.