Medication

[maxgarry]

I am currently trying to control my diabetes (type 2) with diet only. Is there a level of Hba1c at which medication is prescribed?

 

[richardinglis]

I am currently trying to control my diabetes (type 2) with diet only. Is there a level of Hba1c at which medication is prescribed?

Not sure if there is a specific level but if you cant control it and it regularly tops the 7 mmol mark then they may look into medication before your glucose levels cause too much damage. just be sure to balance meals out and read labels, so many products contain sugar, think ketchup for example, plaster your dinner in that and you may be eating 1-2 teaspoons of sugar.

be aware of "Diabetic" labeled products "suitable for diabetics" is another one, Jam is jam, just because they haven't added any sugar doesn't mean its not got a ton of natural sugar in it, same with fruit juices, healthy....yes, for diabetics......no, only in minute amounts, same with fruits like bananas, contain very high natural sugars, the riper they are, the more sugar in them.

seek some decent advice from a diabetic dietitian, not just a regular one as they usually don't know their **** from their elbow judging by the 4 i have seen, all stick thin and want you to adopt the rabbit food approach of lettuce and thin air. if you cant get to see one get a good book on the subject, it will help a lot.

good luck.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. If you look at the NICE Diabetes Pathways document on the web it says above 6.5% you should be started on medication. Ref a Diabetic Dietician make sure you find one who isn't from the standard 'lower your fat and salt but stuff your face with carbs' bunch. I may be exaggerating but having read this month's DUK Balance mag today there are still many diabetes experts around who don't quite realise that carbs get turned to glucose in the blood and that's our problem not cholesterol.