New & Confused

[GeoffersTaylor]

Hi,
I was diagnosed Type 2 diabetic just over a month ago. I'm on Meftormin (1000 per day). My levels were 63 mmol. I wasn't aware of any symptoms - I only went to the doctor for a routine check-up. My triglyceride levels were very high (6.7) out of total cholesterol of 7.8.

Here's my thing - My weakness is beer. I cook most meals with fresh ingredients and I don't eat lots of bread, pasta, or other starchy carbs. I had a phase of paleo eating several years ago and never really put those things back into my regular diet. I did eat them, just not in any quantity and I'm more likely to have meat & salad - cheeses too. But beer... oh sweet nectar of life!

So, I've cut back on beer, widened my variety of meats (more fish, less red meat) and lowered my overall calorie intake. I've introduced cholesterol-reducing spreads & drinks and cut out almost all pastry. I've lost nearly ten pounds in the last six weeks (I now weigh 158lb) which seems like a sustainable rate of loss and guess what? I've felt terrible - hypos all over the place, falling asleep at work and just no energy. It seems to me that the combination of diet change and metformin is overcompensating and I'm not getting enough sugar.

In the last few days I've started putting *more* starchy carbs back into my diet - brown tortillas, brown rice and that seems to help - I don't "crash" as much but I still feel leaden during the day. So I'm now eating more of the stuff that's supposed to be bad for me!

I'm confused. I have an appointment at a diabetes clinic later this week but if anyone has any light they can shed I'd be grateful.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hello and welcome,

It sounds to me like you need more fat in your diet, and definitely NOT more carbs. Your hypos are not real hypos, they are most likely false hypos as your body gets used to your new diet and lower levels of glucose in the blood; and you could have what is known as Carb flu. This is very common when first starting a low carb diet, but it will disappear if you persevere. Metformin won't give you hypos. Only injected insulin and certain tablets designed to boost your natural insulin will do this.

Have you got your own meter? If so, I suggest you test when these "hypos" occur. If you don't have your own meter, then I strongly advise you to get one as it will be your only tool to help you control this disease.

As you cut down the carbs you lose energy so this has to be replaced by increasing your good fats. Personally, I would stay away from artificial spreads and go back to real butter, plus proper cheese, full fat yogurts, cream, eggs. Very, very little of our serum cholesterol comes from our diet. Our bodies make it irrespective of what we eat. To help with the triglycerides, eat loads of oily fish and cooking oils that contain plenty of Omega 3 and not much Omega 6. (Olive oil and rapeseed oil are about the best)

Please ask as many questions as you like, and have a good hard read round the forum. One thing that I personally experienced, along with many other members, is that our cholesterol levels dropped significantly following a low carb/increased fats diet. Not to mention our waistlines!

 

[4ratbags]

I think Bluetit1802 summed it up nicely. I can sometimes feel like Im having a hypo but my BS is still in the 4s. What is your BS reading when you are having a hypo as your body can be so used to your BS being high that when it drops even slightly you can get hypo synptoms. Its great that you have cut down on beer but you really need to cut it out completely, have you thought of trying spirits and diet fizzy. If you would like to try and control your diabetes with diet it might be worth discussing it at the diabetes clinic as I know that coming off Metformin has reduced the amount of hypos I have.

 

[GeoffersTaylor]

Thanks for the replies. I was told that a meter wasn't necessary, so I guess that I need to have that conversation again.

At this stage I'm not willing to cut beer out completely - I intend to live with my diabetes and not be bound by it! I rarely drink fizzy sodas, diet or not.

Interesting about adding full fat stuff back into the diet. I'm actually quite glad to hear that. A few pieces of grilled halloumi over some rocket and tomatoes... yum.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Thanks for the replies. I was told that a meter wasn't necessary, so I guess that I need to have that conversation again.

At this stage I'm not willing to cut beer out completely - I intend to live with my diabetes and not be bound by it! I rarely drink fizzy sodas, diet or not.

Interesting about adding full fat stuff back into the diet. I'm actually quite glad to hear that. A few pieces of grilled halloumi over some rocket and tomatoes... yum.

If you have that conversation again with your doctor/nurse you are unlikely to get anywhere. The vast majority of us Type 2's have to self fund. This may be ridiculous and counter-productive, but it is a sad money saving fact. Have a look here http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/blood_glucose_monitor_testing.htm This is the meter many of us on here use because it has the cheapest available testing strips. You may find other meters, but do look at the cost of the test strips. Many are very expensive, and initially you need a lot.

Beer is very carby, red wine and spirits are the better alternatives. However, I do understand what you are saying, just incorporate your beer into your diet plan and cut down as much as you can. We must rule our diabetes and not let it rule us! There are some low carb bottled beers on the market I believe.

Nothing nicer than a cooked full English breakfast - bacon, eggs, 97% meat sausage, mushrooms cooked in butter and tomatoes, and a jolly good meal for diabetics.

Have a look at this thread, which may help you formulate some plans. http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/a-new-low-carb-guide-for-beginners.68695/

 

[GeoffersTaylor]

Thanks very much for this. If we ever meet I owe you a beer (or low-carb beverage of your choice!). I'll check out those links.

 

[Bluetit1802]

My pleasure. Red wine for me.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I agree with the other posts. Continue with the low-carb and increase protein and fats to keep you feeling full and well. Yes, you need a meter.

 

[4ratbags]

They will tell you a meter isnt necessary and it isnt, its essential otherwise you dont know how different foods are affecting your BS. A lot of the advice you will get here will contradict what the professionals tell you but everyone here is speaking from their own personal experiences not from a text book. Give LCHFa go, its great for lowering your BS and you always have loads of energy. Fair enough about the beer, we all need a little something, mine is sweet treats which I can luckily make low carb versions of, I just have to keep the other half away from them.

 

[GeoffersTaylor]

Update from me...
I'm now on the 5th day of a ketogenic diet. Averaging 30g carbs & 90g protein (I weigh 70KG so I think that's about right for protein). The rest is fat. My energy levels feel much more stable and I'm not going hungry even with a 500 calorie deficit.

In weight loss terms I'd already lost half a stone in the six weeks since diagnosis but that had slowed right down. I've lost another 2 pounds this week alone.

So cheers guys. It's still early days but right now I'm glad I followed your advice and I thank you for it. THANK YOU.

Also, my blood sugar testing kit arrived yesterday. I'm on a camping trip this weekend so I'll start testing when I get back from that.

 

[sanguine]

Well done Geoffers. sounds like you are heading the same way as I did and from a very similar start point.

I also used to drink beer, regularly but not in great quantities, and thought I might struggle to stop it (or just feel guilty if I didn't). But as with some other things like croissants and pasta after a while I didn't miss them and wouldn't have them even if an opportunity presented itself. I'll have an occasional half or even a pint of real ale but that's enough now.

Keep going and good luck!