Hello everyone, my first post, I'll introduce myself, I'm 45, a student nurse, so well informed about health and disease. Yet my doc confirmed today I'm pre-diabetic. I'm very cross with myself that I let things get this bad. I'm looking forward to getting and giving support as we work towards healthy selves!
New and cross .`'. but determined!
- Thread starter entwife
- Start Date
- Messages
- 3,176
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- I do not have diabetes
My doc has advised me to 1. do a low carb healthy fat diet, 2. add some exercise, 3. lose some weight so that is my plan. I have added some appetite suppressant drugs as per drs advice as weight loss has been a big stumbling block for me these last few years
Prem51
Expert
- Messages
- 7,393
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- *
Welcome to the forum @entwife. Your doctor sounds quite progressive, advocating low carbing. Many of us on here have found that adopting a Low Carbohydrate High Fat (lchf) approach to eating has lowered our blood sugar levels. Lchf usually also leads to weight reduction.
Have a read round the threads to see how this works and ask any questions you want. The people on here are friendly and supportive.
Have a read round the threads to see how this works and ask any questions you want. The people on here are friendly and supportive.
She's awesome @Prem51, she's the first person to give me real help in years.
I've been trying low carb high fat myself since January but my weight didn't go down and my cholesterol went up, so I'm trying low carb HEALTHY fat, which puts you in mild ketosis but should improve cardiac health as well as diabetic health - and they do go hand in hand
ickihun
Master
- Messages
- 13,698
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- Bullies
Just remember we girls don't bode well on too low a cholesterol. Trigs are the ones to monitor.
Ive had type2 40+yrs and found out my calcium score was only 19. Even thou I'm very overweight (morbidly obese). Have been for decades. However my total cholesterol is never higher than 4.6. I believe below 4 is the guidelines for all diabetics. But we women not of menopausal age have great health advantages.
Sorry to hear. Suggestion box worked for my body, so hopefully for yours and others, dont be cross, just think positive,
instead, your lucky, to be made aware of your situation as you explain this point in time, allowing you to be in a position to do something about it now, have the opportunity to turn it all around, nip it in the bud, an example, my doc just changed my medical records from Pre Diabetic to "non diabetic range" results were from lifestyle change, see below which may give hope, and best of all enjoying wonderful new style and exploring ways of eating, I have gone from Pre Diabtic, to non diabetic reversed, lowere numbers to continuous non diabetic range, motivation, will power..
- Dont put in and burn off ie.
- Eat low carb. I dont eat potatoes, bread, rice or pasta, instead substitute these items
- Exercise more I walk min 5 to 9 klm a day, tread mill after each meal breakie, lunch and dinner for 10 mins
- Intermittent fasting 3 times a week. Two mornings no breakfast, one day no breakie, or lunch
results of which....
Lost 24 kilos in weither 23/4 cm off waist.
Sugar levels along with A1C all non diabetic range normal normal normal!
By the away I dont take any medication from first day diagnosed Pre Diabetic to today as I speak, simply opted for lifestyle change, eating following keto low carb eating recommendations plan dietdoctor.com
Feeling great, fit still surfing at 68 years of age, never felt better healthier in my entire life since taking control of my own body, life style change /routine. It works for me, hopefully for yourself, all.
Hope this helps to turn it all around, I used tools and knowledge gained, to do just that, everyone is different, perhaps within kicks you off to positive motivation. Good luck, I am sure you will do it.
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@entwife
Hello entwife and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful and interesting. 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 well over 235,000 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:
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
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.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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 blood glucose 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.
Hello entwife and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful and interesting. 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 well over 235,000 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
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
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.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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 blood glucose 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
Terrytiddy
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 835
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Hi @entwife welcome to the group. Like said sounds like your Dr is one of the better one's on diet advice. I'm on LCHF and do fasting every day on 18/6 No food after 20.00 and 14.00 next day. Only black tea, water and vitamin water during fast. I'm also on >20% carbs per day. I'm going to convince my Dr and DN that LCHF diet works. I went on it a few years ago and lost weight and fetched my HbA1c down but fell off it. I started on 30th April and in just three weeks reduced my Bg from 16.6 to 5.8. Some days as low as 4.5! never been that low before. My neighbour is also a dietician at the local hospital and said that I'm doing the wrong thing doing LCHF! She is very old school so will prove it to her as well.
Good luck on your journey and don't forget you are never alone we are all here for you.
Good luck on your journey and don't forget you are never alone we are all here for you.
Last edited:
Resurgam
Expert
- Messages
- 9,867
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
I have never been able to eat normal amounts of carbs, I was low carbing back in the 1970s - you might find you have no need for appetite suppressing tablets- carbs cause insulin to be secreted, often too much and your BG drops quickly causing feelings of hunger, without the carbs I can happily eat two meals a day, one early and one late, and not need anything else.
Fats are a healthy choice - all the heart attack on a plate advice was derived from some rather carefully chosen data - like cholesterol from eggs - when tested it is not proven.
My weight is down 40lb from my highest point when on a cholesterol lowering diet, my BG levels are normal so is my hba1c, and I just got the all clear on retinopathy from the hospital - I did have background retinopathy but not any more.
Fats are a healthy choice - all the heart attack on a plate advice was derived from some rather carefully chosen data - like cholesterol from eggs - when tested it is not proven.
My weight is down 40lb from my highest point when on a cholesterol lowering diet, my BG levels are normal so is my hba1c, and I just got the all clear on retinopathy from the hospital - I did have background retinopathy but not any more.
