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New and very confused

V

Vikke

Member
Messages
22
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi, I was diagnosed on Wednesday with type 2 I think the Dr said it could be type 1 my mmol/mol was 65 and my liver enzimes high. It might sound silly but I don't know what to Do? I don't see a diabetics nurse till the 3rd April. Any advice about foods etc would be eternally grateful in a bit of shock and confusion at the minute!! Thank you x
 
Hi and welcome Vikke! Don’t worry about feeling shocked and confused, we can all identify with that. You’ve certainly come to the right place for help and advice. I was diagnosed in May ‘17 and found this Forum that same night. I’m so glad I did because with help from here I got my blood levels back to non diabetic levels within four months.
Your number 65 sounds like your HbA1c level, mine was 70 on diagnosis.
Can you tell us if you’ve been prescribed any medication, if so what and the dosage then we’ll be able to help you better?
I’ll tag in @daisy1 who’ll post loads of useful info for you.
 
Hi, no that's the thing he said baby steps at the minute gave me 2 websites to look on this being one and told me to see the d.nurse. I think we are trying diet 1st which makes me think type 2 but he isn't convinced he said hence being confused.
 
Vikke said:
Hi, no that's the thing he said baby steps at the minute gave me 2 websites to look on this being one and told me to see the d.nurse. I think we are trying diet 1st which makes me think type 2 but he isn't convinced he said hence being confused.
Click to expand...

In that case it should be safe to try a low carbohydrate diet. Although I’m on medication that only helps a tiny bit, the diet is the key. I also test my own blood sugars to see which foods I can tolerate best. I started on less than 100g of carbs per day and after six weeks dropped to between 50-70g/day and that’s where I stay. Dropping too suddenly can give you ‘carb flu’, not real flu but it feels similar, it’s your body protesting at a quick drop. If you have weight to lose, low carbing is an easy way to lose weight too.
 
Hello and welcome,

Can you tell us why your doctor thinks you may be Type 1, and if he has arranged some further tests to check this? Do you have your test results on-line? If not, I suggest you ask for a print out so you can see exactly which tests you had, what the results were, and what the normal range is. If there are any you don't understand, we can help you.

The first thing you should do is buy a blood glucose meter. (unless the doctor gave you one). You can then use this to guide you in your food choices. We can help you with this. Choosing the right foods is very important, which means learning about the role of carbohydrates. As all carbs turn to sugar once inside the system it makes sense not to eat a lot, and that includes the wholemeal varieties. We also need to be careful with fruit.

Have a good read round this forum and ask as many questions as you like.
 
Yes I did read about the low carb but at 30g a day but prefer doing it as you have said. Thank you
 

Hi and welcome,
I know how you are feeling, I was in the exact same place you find yourself in 4 months ago. Take a deep breath if you can and relax, everything will be ok, you will find lots of help and advice from lovely people here who have felt like you do today.

Not sure what your doctor has advised until you see the nurse, like you I had a bit of a wait before my first appointment and was given my results by the surgery receptionist, I had to call and ask for a telephone appointment to get clarification from my GP.

This is my story to date.

I was diagnosed completely out of the blue in October last year. My first HbA1c was 95 (10.8) 2nd test result 87 (10.1) booked to see the diabetes nurse end of November and she did a finger prick test for me reading 76 (9.1) advised to eat well balanced diet, do some exercise and no need to test!

After the shock and some tears I did my own research and found this forum and the Diet Doctor website. Needless to say what I read made some sense and I decided to ignore the NHS advice and swapped to low carb diet in the new year.

Had my first check up 6th February, HbA1c now 45 (6.3) pre diabetic range, I test my blood myself and am averaging 37 (5.5) I’ve lost just over 3 stone to date, cholesterol was good at time of diagnosis 4.1 and has come down a little bit to 4, blood pressure was good and again has come down to lower than the recommended maximum level. Exercise wise I started with 20 minutes swimming 4 times a week until new year, then I introduced 15 minute HiiT sessions for a change and now I have just returned to 30 minute swims, 5 minute HiiT sessions and a daily walk during lunch breaks of 15 to 20 minutes (weather permitting). I am hoping that when I go for my second check up my HbA1c will reflect the averages I get now, I would love to see it around 32 to 34, still have some weight to loose but have a holiday booked for May that is acting as an additional motivation.

I hope my story will give you a little bit of hope, there are lots of similar stories here, you can do it too. You will have good days and not so good days but don’t give up, I can honestly say that despite the fact that I have this condition, I don’t like to think of it as an illness, I am healthier than I was pre diagnosis.

Good luck and best wishes
 
Vikke said:
Yes I did read about the low carb but at 30g a day but prefer doing it as you have said. Thank you
Click to expand...
People vary with what level of carbs they can tolerate, that’s where monitoring your blood sugars comes into play.
 
Hi and thank you, all I was told everything came back great apart from my liver test and my hba1c. He asked about family history and symptoms of diabetes then said he has to diagnose me with diabetes I asked is it type 2 (they gave me my first hba1c test print out but not the 2nd) he said it could be but he ain't convinced it isn't type 1 to see the diabetic nurse and to take baby steps that's it hence why I'm confused tbh I think type 2. I have read about the meters is there a certain one to buy?
 
The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.

Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/

Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)

Did you get a print out of your liver function test? You really need this as you need to know which enzymes are raised, including the Gamma GT. If the ALT and Gamma GT are raised it is a marker for a fatty liver, which is typical of insulin resistance.
 
Hi, Yes thank you it's lovely to read people's story's and see hope in it. I have started a low carb diet but gradual keep feeling light headed and tired and all energy has been zapped but I do get surges of energy then I'm tired again tried a bit of chocolate last night it helped a bit I don't eat a lot of it tbh. No one said about ho.e testing which I thought was odd so once this snow is gone I will go get a machine. This forme is great you all are so lovely x
 

I see you are 30, that maybe why he hasn’t ruled out Type 1.
I have an SD Code Free meter from Home Health. Some companies offer a free meter but I wouldn't necessarily obtain a free one as the ongoing expense of the test strips is actually more important.
I get supplies of strips and lancets direct from Home Health too using the following discount codes:

5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
Don't forget to check the box stating you have diabetes and the VAT is deducted
.
 
Hi thank you will have a look now! No but thinking about it I do kick myself I knew this but never thought of it at the time. He did ask how much I drink which when I start can be a lot but I do t know if this makes sense but I drink larger and it's the same with and fizzy drink once I start I don't realise how much I can drink of it because I'm so thirsty on it I don't crave alcohol like I do other fizzy drinks but if I drink water or squash I don't get so thirsty as much I don't set out to get drunk or anything I don't notice it (not having any of it no more) I just get really thirsty I don't know why he said then it could be the diabetes also polycystic ovaries I'm getting tested for which he said goes with diabetes. Sorry for the essay
 
Thank you will look them up now. I don't know why it's come up a year younger than I am lol shouldn't complain I know but I'm 32 on the 13th! That's the other thing I don't know what I'm supposed to be or anything but I suppose would it say on the box?
 
[QUOTE="Vikke, post: 1714839, member: 469651" I don't know what I'm supposed to be or anything but I suppose would it say on the box?[/QUOTE]

You are definitely diabetic with the result you have. If you are referring to indicating that you are diabetic to avoid VAT on the meter purchase you don’t need a type just diabetic or not.
 
Rachox said:
[QUOTE="Vikke, post: 1714839, member: 469651" I don't know what I'm supposed to be or anything but I suppose would it say on the box?
Click to expand...

You are definitely diabetic with the result you have. If you are referring to indicating that you are diabetic to avoid VAT on the meter purchase you don’t need a type just diabetic or not.[/QUOTE]
Sorry just 're read what I wrote I do not make sense at the moment sorry I ment the readings on the machine
 
Vikke said:
You are definitely diabetic with the result you have. If you are referring to indicating that you are diabetic to avoid VAT on the meter purchase you don’t need a type just diabetic or not.
Click to expand...
Sorry just 're read what I wrote I do not make sense at the moment sorry I ment the readings on the machine[/QUOTE]

Ah I think I get you. You need a machine that measures mmol/l, that’s the measurement we use in the U.K.
 
Rachox said:
Sorry just 're read what I wrote I do not make sense at the moment sorry I ment the readings on the machine
Click to expand...

Ah I think I get you. You need a machine that measures mmol/l, that’s the measurement we use in the U.K.[/QUOTE]
Okay great thank you so mucj for your help
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. As has been said lowering your carb intake will have a positive affect on your blood glucose levels and will lower that number of 60 on your HbA1c result. I suggest you get the book or app called Carbs and Cals which will help you learn how many carbs are in the foods you are eating.
When you see the nutritional values on the back of packs of foods you will be able to judge if you can/should buy them.
There's a fair bit to learn at the beginning but it's not rocket surgery and after a little while it just becomes second nature. Foods to be aware of first are breads, pasta, rice, potatoes and anything made from flour.
You are right to say you will lower your intake gradually, I did too quickly and suffered carb flu which is very unpleasant. Good luck and come back with any questions. We have all been in your position and we remember what it is like.
 
I have been eating low carb since I was in my early 20s in order to control my weight, and I am 66 now. After diagnosis I used a meter, only to find out that I need to eat exactly the same way as I did before, if I am to control my blood glucose, but cut back even more if I want to lose weight - the effects of old age I think. Many people on the forum agree that low carb eating, for lucky type twos, is all they need to do to have lower, or even normal readings.
It does mean avoiding densely carb laden foods, as they tend to cause high blood glucose, but people differ in what they eat, and want to eat, so testing just before starting to eat and again two hours from then indicates the impact of the meal or snack and you can then judge if the food is OK, needs a tweak to keep the increase to two whole numbers, or might be best avoided.
One thing I am convinced of is that diabetes can be - for many people - an absolutely normal reaction to the modern diet - I just got a copy of 'pure white and deadly' my diet is pretty much Atkins as in 'new diet revolution' but I have read William Banting's 'Letter on Corpulence' from the mid nineteenth century - low carb is a several hundred year old fad diet.
 
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