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My Story So Far.....

Mr Clean

Mr Clean

Member
Messages
16
Location
Derby
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was recently (29th Aug) diagnosed Type II. I went to the doctors for something unrelated but I mentioned while I was there that I was tired all the time, extremely thirsty and had lost a lot of weight in the recent months without really trying. The doctor sent me for a blood test and my HBAC1 results came back high at 112.

Since diagnosis I have been taking three 500g Metformin per day and sticking to 150g or less of Carbs per day as recommended by my DN. I'm no longer thirsty all the time and have much more energy and feel great. I've had a few more blood test in the past two months for Liver checks amongst everything else and it appears I have what they call Fatty Liver and High Iron in my blood. Having another blood test on Saturday morning and being sent for an Ultrasound on my Liver sometime soon when the appointment comes through. I will also have my 3 month HBAC1 check in December and it'll be interesting to see what has changed.

Until you start counting the Carbs, you don't realise how many there are in everything. It is quite the eye opener. I'm counting them now but, looking at my old lifestyle, I was having an ridiculous amount of Carbs per day.

Anyway, that's me so far.....

Anthony (Mr Clean)
 
Hello and welcome.
It sounds like you've made a really good start in taking control of your diabetes.

I had a fatty liver before my diabetes diagnosis, and to my doctors' surprise it resolved after I went low carb.
One of the GPs was always scathing about my diet in spite of my getting into remission. His words, with emphasis, were "low carb HIGH FAT" but the evidence is that my blood fats, especially my triglycerides, are better and so is my liver when eating much fewer carbs and more good quality fats.

It would help if you get a meter and measure your blood sugar before then 2 hours after eating to check how your body is coping. I started on 120g of carbs, quickly went down to 100g, then down againto 85g to get my morning BS down (see Dawn phenomenon).

Since being in remission for over five years I can have at least 150g of carbs a day with no impact but very rarely go over that.
 
TriciaWs said:
Hello and welcome.
It sounds like you've made a really good start in taking control of your diabetes.

I had a fatty liver before my diabetes diagnosis, and to my doctors' surprise it resolved after I went low carb.
One of the GPs was always scathing about my diet in spite of my getting into remission. His words, with emphasis, were "low carb HIGH FAT" but the evidence is that my blood fats, especially my triglycerides, are better and so is my liver when eating much fewer carbs and more good quality fats.

It would help if you get a meter and measure your blood sugar before then 2 hours after eating to check how your body is coping. I started on 120g of carbs, quickly went down to 100g, then down againto 85g to get my morning BS down (see Dawn phenomenon).

Since being in remission for over five years I can have at least 150g of carbs a day with no impact but very rarely go over that.
Click to expand...
Hi Tricia

Thank you for the welcome. I have been loitering around for a while and I have found this a great place for information.

It's good to know that Fatty Liver can be resolved.

I don't have a meter. I have seen a lot of people recommend them but my DN said I don't need one so I never got one.

Well done on getting into remission. That is my ultimate goal and control with diet only rather than pills.
 
TriciaWs said:
I know DNs don't always support us getting meters, but how else can we know how many carbs we can eat as we are all different? I doubt I'd have got into remission without one.
Click to expand...
Very true. I'll have another look into them. There are just so many, I haven't got a clue where to start!
 
Mr Clean said:
I was recently (29th Aug) diagnosed Type II. I went to the doctors for something unrelated but I mentioned while I was there that I was tired all the time, extremely thirsty and had lost a lot of weight in the recent months without really trying. The doctor sent me for a blood test and my HBAC1 results came back high at 112.

Since diagnosis I have been taking three 500g Metformin per day and sticking to 150g or less of Carbs per day as recommended by my DN. I'm no longer thirsty all the time and have much more energy and feel great. I've had a few more blood test in the past two months for Liver checks amongst everything else and it appears I have what they call Fatty Liver and High Iron in my blood. Having another blood test on Saturday morning and being sent for an Ultrasound on my Liver sometime soon when the appointment comes through. I will also have my 3 month HBAC1 check in December and it'll be interesting to see what has changed.

Until you start counting the Carbs, you don't realise how many there are in everything. It is quite the eye opener. I'm counting them now but, looking at my old lifestyle, I was having an ridiculous amount of Carbs per day.

Anyway, that's me so far.....

Anthony (Mr Clean)
Click to expand...
I was told my non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was going to kill me, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Turns out going low carb really did make a massive difference to more than just my blood sugars, as I'm still around 7 years later. I'm sure the same'll probably happen to you; get what's wrong sorted and make medical jaws drop. ;) Off to a good start, so try not to worry about it overmuch. You're going to be fine, with this bull-by-the-horns attitude. :)
 
JoKalsbeek said:
I was told my non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was going to kill me, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Turns out going low carb really did make a massive difference to more than just my blood sugars, as I'm still around 7 years later. I'm sure the same'll probably happen to you; get what's wrong sorted and make medical jaws drop. ;) Off to a good start, so try not to worry about it overmuch. You're going to be fine, with this bull-by-the-horns attitude. :)
Click to expand...
My Dr told me not to worry or lose sleep over it and that he was sure that the Fatty Liver was a result of the Diabetes but wants to do more tests to check on it because of the High Iron count that he can't explain because everything else is fine.

I can't fault them for how they're looking after me really. They've been very thorough.
 
Mr Clean said:
Very true. I'll have another look into them. There are just so many, I haven't got a clue where to start!
Click to expand...
I'll tag @Rachox for you, she'll share up to date information on meters and teststrips in the UK.
The trick is buying a meter with teststrips on the cheaper end, because the strips are the ongoing cost.
 
Mr Clean said:
Very true. I'll have another look into them. There are just so many, I haven't got a clue where to start!
Click to expand...
Most of us just want a decent meter with cheap(er) test strips since they are the main expense wen testing our meals.
The 2 meters that meet those criteria, which are the most recommended in both main UK Diabetes forums are:
SD Gluco Navii
Spirit TEE2+

Both are available on the internet and have test strips less than half the price of some other meters.
I have no connection with either company except as a customer of Spirit Healthcare for the TEE2+ and test strips for that.
 
Hi @Mr Clean

@ianf0ster has already given you some info on Meters but here is more info to help you choose with some links too. Thanks for the tag @Antje77 .

Firstly to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)
 
Mr Clean said:
and had lost a lot of weight in the recent months without really trying
Click to expand...
Well done @Mr Clean
Just be aware that unexplained weight loss can be a sign of type 1. Weight gain is more common in type 2, but both can vary
I'd echo getting a meter and keeping an eye on things, just in case.
 
Mr Clean said:
My Dr told me not to worry or lose sleep over it and that he was sure that the Fatty Liver was a result of the Diabetes but wants to do more tests to check on it because of the High Iron count that he can't explain because everything else is fine.

I can't fault them for how they're looking after me really. They've been very thorough.
Click to expand...
I got lucky with my GP, it was specialists that thoroughly let me down, really. GP's who know what they're doing when it comes to diabetes are hard to find. Hold on to yours with both hands. Maybe put them on your Christmas card list, if that's your thing. (I know mine's on mine. :))

And yeah... Get a meter, it'll be the best tool you'll ever get in your life. :)

Good luck!
Jo
 
JoKalsbeek said:
I got lucky with my GP, it was specialists that thoroughly let me down, really. GP's who know what they're doing when it comes to diabetes are hard to find. Hold on to yours with both hands. Maybe put them on your Christmas card list, if that's your thing. (I know mine's on mine. :))

And yeah... Get a meter, it'll be the best tool you'll ever get in your life. :)

Good luck!
Jo
Click to expand...
I read you posts in your thread, sounds like you had a bit of a rough time. Hopefully you're coming through it all now.

I'm on it with a meter. Been looking at the recommendations.
 
MrsA2 said:
Well done @Mr Clean
Just be aware that unexplained weight loss can be a sign of type 1. Weight gain is more common in type 2, but both can vary
I'd echo getting a meter and keeping an eye on things, just in case.
Click to expand...

becca59 said:
Hi @Mr Clean as a matter of interest did they check for type 1 at all due to the unexpected weight loss?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I've been checked for Type 1, along with everything else. I've had 5 blood tests in the last 2 months and have another one tomorrow. There was mention of possibly being Type 1.5 but that was a fleeting conversation.
 
Rachox said:
Hi @Mr Clean

@ianf0ster has already given you some info on Meters but here is more info to help you choose with some links too. Thanks for the tag @Antje77 .

Firstly to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the info. :)
 
A quick update on my journey.

I had my 3 months HBA1C level test yesterday and got the results this morning. After behaving myself with diet and less alcohol, etc, I am now at 57 which is a substantial come down from 112.

I also had a scan on my liver on the 23rd Dec which appears to confirm Fatty Liver but hopefully no other issues. Not had the full results of that yet. We will see.

:)
 
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