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New here and a question please!

Lemonsqueezy

Newbie
Messages
3
Location
Suffolk, UK
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi all,

I've been reading through lots of posts today and thought I would introduce myself (having joined earlier today).

- I'm 52 with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in January 2023, my HbA1c being 53. I have reduced this to 48 on my last blood test which was March 2023. I am not on any medication for this at the moment.

- Most of my family have type 2, so it was no surprise it has come my way. However, I was hoping this wasn't going to quite be this early on but it's a no brainer with how I was eating and treating my body

- I had breast cancer in 2021 which was treated with surgery and radiotherapy. I'm taking Tamoxifen for the next 3 years which is endocrine therapy to help prevent the cancer returning. I also have an underactive thyroid and take Levothyroxine.

- I have recently used a CGM to try and learn what is going on with my blood sugars and what affects it mostly (so far that is porridge and cornflakes!).

- I'm a little worried about some hypos the GMC is showing up at night when I am sleeping. Readings are showing a 3.0 mmols but it doesn't wake me up.

- I tried to join the low carb programme with the discount code DCUKMEMBER but it says it is not valid. Is there another code knocking about?

- I am such a carb lover, it's a struggle to keep the carbs low! Any tips for this please?

Thanks for reading and hope you are having a good evening/day
 
Last edited:
Hi @Lemonsqueezy , welcome to the forum!
Lemonsqueezy said:
- I tried to join the low carb programme with the discount code DCUKMEMBER but it says it is not valid. Is there another code knocking about?
Click to expand...
We recently had another member with the same issue, this thread may give you the answers you need: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/low-carb-programme-voucher.197436/post-2616828

If this still doesn't work, just reply here and I'll get the help from an Administrator.
 
If you're not taking any medication to lower your blood sugar, then hypos are near impossible for a type 2. But if you lay on your CGM they can give a false low. This is almost certainly what you are seeing.
As you get more into low carbing, you will find that your tastes will change, most carbs become far too sweet. Depending on what carby things you like, try googling them adding keto to the search, you will find masses of low carb alternatives.
 
You've already seen porridge and cornflakes spike you. That's because they're carb-heavy, as you've found. https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html might help a little with adjusting your diet to something more suitable without, hopefully making you feel the lack of carby foods. Fingers crossed. Just basically up the fats and protein, and make them tasty ones. Maybe avoid the recommended cauliflower rice and such, because those might make your thyroid swell. Celeriac may be a better option.

No worries about hypo's at the moment. Without certain medication, nothing'll make you go too low, so no risk of slipping into coma's and such. And as it's a CGM, @ajbod 's right... They give false hypo-readings when you sleep on them.

You'll be okay, it's just a bit of a learning curve and it takes a little getting used to.
Hugs,
Jo
 
Hi Lemonsqueezy, I see others have replied to other aspects of your post.

Vis-a-vis your CGM readings of 3.0 overnight, I would bet on a high probability that you are experiencing what is called a compression low, when sustained pressure is applied to the sensor. I have seen lows of 2.2 and Lo on the meter running alongside the CGM, but have been absolutely fine.

Based on what you have said, and that you don't appear to be taking any blood glucose lowering medication, I doubt you need be concerned about these lows.

In order to absolutely test things for myself, I applied a sensor to my upper chest, towards my armpit, where it would not be seen, or have potential for sustained full weight pressure as we might do on an arm, lying on our sides.

You seem to be moving things in the right direction and have a curious mind. That curiosity and open-mindedness will help you move forward.

Welcome to the forum.
 
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