• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Metabolic Clinic?

luceeloo

Well-Known Member
Messages
677
Location
Rowley Regis
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I haven't posted here in a while, but after recent dealings with the wonderful NHS and it's way of managing Type 2, I'm kind of losing my way a bit.

To cut a massive long story short, a cardiologist decided that 4 stones in 12 months is not enough weight loss, and has referred me to a metabolic clinic for weight management.
Has anyone ever been referred to one? If so, what kind of things do they do?
He seems to think that it will get rid of my diabetes. I tried to point out that actually since losing weight my Hba1c has gone up, and that even the thin people in my family are type 2. But he wouldn't have any of it. Fat clinic is the cure for me, apparently.

From what I can glean from Google, it's all about prescribing a year long diet plan, pills, and if that doesn't work, surgery. I'm not enamoured by the idea of any of it, and felt I was doing fine low carbing and exercising.
 
Sorry, I don't know, but here is a bump.

The NHS states that 1-2 lbs a week is a safe and sensible rate of weight loss. This is what you have achieved. Do you have other health issues?
 
Could this be something to do with the stuff about weightloss surgery that's all over the news at the moment. It seems that the NHS has now decided that it's the miracle cure for Diabetes. - needless to say, they are delusional. They seem to be completely ignoring the fact that not all diabetics are over weight any more than all overweight people are diabetic. They talk about "reversing" diabetes and about it going into "remission". So, does that mean that someone who has achieved normal blood sugar levels can go out and have a lovely, "healthy" meal, say, pasta, or a jacket potato, or something multi grain and, of course low fat, followed by fruit and fat free (sugar laden) yogurt, and not have their blood sugar spike? - Please, pull the other one! - Until health professionals start to accept that the wonderfully healthy, low fat,high fiber, sugar packed "diet" foods they have been recommending for decades are not good for us, the sooner we can start dealing with the problem.

Sorry, rant over.

- you might be lucky and have an enlightened doctor. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Hi. Are you still overweight? If the other family members are genuinely slim but still have diabetes then do consider the possible diagnosis of Late onset T1. It's possible that in your family the cause is more genetic than due to weight but do get the weight down if needed and then see how the blood sugar levels are doing. If they are still too high then do ask for the two tests that will help determine Late onset T1 (LADA). Note that it is possible to have both T2 and T1 together which is why weight reduction and then the two tests may help diagnosis
 
Doctors, nurses, consultants and the NHS in general, treat us with our permission. They have no powers to make us accept treatment if we object.

If you are happy with your weight loss (and at 4 stone in a year, you should be delighted), and are willing to carry on (if you want to lose more weight), then simply ring up and cancel the appointment.

It would probably be a good idea to write a letter too, clearly explaining that with your family history of slim diabetes, and the great success of your current diet regime, you don't feel that you can commit yourself to another year long regime, with the prospect of surgery at the end. If things change in the future, you will be willing to reconsider, but in the meantime, you would like to continue with your existing diet and diabetes regime. And please can you go back to your normal schedule of clinic appointments?

Send a copy of the letter to your doctor, your consultant and the fat clinic, breathe a sigh of relief, and wait for the next normal clinic appointment to arrive.

The odds are, you will see a completely different consultant or registrar next time, and the subject will never come up again!

The whole point of the letter is to avoid the black mark of 'non compliance' from appearing on any of your records.

Good luck!
 
Thanks all for your input.

The reason behind seeing the Cardiologist is that I passed out after having severe palpitations. After a load of tests, it's been discovered that the two different blood pressure medications I've been on for a year are unnecessary as I seemingly have "white coat syndrome". So, I had palpitations and passed out because my blood pressure was becoming far too low. Other than that, I have no health problems except the diabetes.
The weight thing was a by-the-way kind of advice from the Cardiologist, and at the time I had no idea what a Metabolic clinic was. Since researching it, it seems to be about popping pills and weight loss surgery. I have no interest in either.

My GP has now decided to refer me to the practice Weight Management Nurse instead of the hospital Metabolic clinic. I'm going to the appointment, but I am really skeptical. I don't want to appear to be non-compliant or obstinate, but I know what works for me, and I'm not sure that an NHS diet sheet will really benefit me. But, I'll give it a go if only to prove a point.

The LADA issue has come up before. Initially, my Nurse was talking about sending me for tests... but changed her mind somewhere along the way. She is, however, currently reviewing my diabetes medication because my blood sugar has been slowly and surely creeping up. She's had approval to get me on to Byetta, but decided to stall until October as I'm getting married next month and I don't think she wanted to run the risk of me having an adverse reaction in case it ruined my wedding lol.

I'm feeling very demotivated. Suddenly my weight has become a big issue, when it's actually better than it's been throughout my entire adult life.
I guess I should be thankful that the NHS is finally taking an interest.
 
I think you should be fabulously pleased with your magnificent weight loss.

I am certainly delighted on your behalf!

As a lifetime weight problemer, the thought of such fantastic loss is something aspirational. I gave up trying years ago, because every time I focused on it, I became obsessed with food and ended up gaining. I have since found out that my hormone situation, insulin resistence, etc. mean that if I eat low fat, with carbs, I end up pigging out on carbs. It is only since finding this forum that I have reduced my carbs even more than usual, and am losing without trying .

It is very slow, but steady. The thought of 4 stone is... Awesome. As in, fills me with awe.

Please don't feel disheartened. And please don't comfort eat.
Come on here, read the forums and renew your motivation.

And thumb your nose at insensitive consultants.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
What she ^^^^^ said.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…