I’ve just ordered one off boots and will collect in the morning. It’s an accu check nano ? My doctors are quite stingy but for £25 it’s worth the piece of mind. Bought extra test strips and lancets too as they were on offer.
New to all this
- Thread starter Emma3627G
- Start Date
You shouldn't have had to in my opinion but well done Emma, please let us know how you get on. x
daisy1
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@Emma3627G
Hello Emma and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will 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 Emma and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will 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.
Thank you so much
Ok, I’ve just been to boots and got my blood glucose monitor.
I’ve not eaten anything yet. I’ve only drank water
My reading at 10.50am is 9
I’m about to have to scrambled egg with cheese and some fruit smoothie consisting of pineapple mango and kiwi (frozen fruit)
I have no idea if this is ok to eat if not as I’ve never had it but this is a fresh beginning for me so I’m gonna try and get my eating sorted.
Is a fasting level of 9 bad ? And how long after my breakfast should I retest ??
Ok, I’ve just been to boots and got my blood glucose monitor.
I’ve not eaten anything yet. I’ve only drank water
My reading at 10.50am is 9
I’m about to have to scrambled egg with cheese and some fruit smoothie consisting of pineapple mango and kiwi (frozen fruit)
I have no idea if this is ok to eat if not as I’ve never had it but this is a fresh beginning for me so I’m gonna try and get my eating sorted.
Is a fasting level of 9 bad ? And how long after my breakfast should I retest ??
ziggy_w
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Hi @Emma3627G,
Welcome to the forum. Well done for joining us. Lot's of knowledgeable people and great advice here.
A reading of 9 mmol isn't too shabby when you are starting out -- you will probably see this drop further in the next few weeks.
Scrambled eggs with cheese is a great breakfast for us.
However, if I were you, I would skip the fruit smoothie. Tropical fruits tend to very quickly raise blood sugars in most of us -- pureeing them even seems to make it worse. How about some Greek yoghurt with whole raspberries, strawberries or blackberries instead?
Forgot to add: Test right before you eat and two hours after having had your first bite. (With new meals I also generally test around one hour to try to catch the peak.)
Welcome to the forum. Well done for joining us. Lot's of knowledgeable people and great advice here.
A reading of 9 mmol isn't too shabby when you are starting out -- you will probably see this drop further in the next few weeks.
Scrambled eggs with cheese is a great breakfast for us.
However, if I were you, I would skip the fruit smoothie. Tropical fruits tend to very quickly raise blood sugars in most of us -- pureeing them even seems to make it worse. How about some Greek yoghurt with whole raspberries, strawberries or blackberries instead?
Forgot to add: Test right before you eat and two hours after having had your first bite. (With new meals I also generally test around one hour to try to catch the peak.)
Thanks I will test again in 2 hours then. I have a raging headache too just above my left eye and had to take some paracetamol just now. I have a bag of frozen berries so know for future. I did mix it with about 200ml of whole milk but my daughter had half. I’m probably going to switch milk to almond or something similar if it helps my blood sugar
It took a few attempts to get the the lancet depth right to get enough blood for the test strip. I guess it’s trial and error
It took a few attempts to get the the lancet depth right to get enough blood for the test strip. I guess it’s trial and error
ziggy_w
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Hi @Emma3627G,
Good idea re frozen berries.
The headaches might be a sign of the low carb flu. Increasing your salt intake might help.
Keeping my fingers crossed for your two-hour reading. Good luck.
Good idea re frozen berries.
The headaches might be a sign of the low carb flu. Increasing your salt intake might help.
Keeping my fingers crossed for your two-hour reading. Good luck.
Yeah I feel abit blahh at the moment. I feel nauseas , is that a usual thing after eating ?
Will test again in about 40 minutes
Will test again in about 40 minutes
ziggy_w
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When I first started eating lchf, I often had a headache especially after waking up in the morning. Also, there were times when my heart started beating fast and I felt a bit dizzy and lightheaded -- but symptoms can be different for different people. And yes -- for some it can also include nausea.
One reason is that when going low carb, our bodies release a lot of water. With the water loss, you also lose a lot of salt -- thus, we have to make up for it by increasing our intake. The easiest way to deal with it is by just salting your food a bit more than usual or to add a daily cup of broth. The should help with the headache and nausea.
Hope you feel better soon.
One reason is that when going low carb, our bodies release a lot of water. With the water loss, you also lose a lot of salt -- thus, we have to make up for it by increasing our intake. The easiest way to deal with it is by just salting your food a bit more than usual or to add a daily cup of broth. The should help with the headache and nausea.
Hope you feel better soon.
Ok so
An hour ago I was 10.4
Just tested now and it’s 9.2
So I feel like the breakfast was ok and I’m heading in the right direction. Although I really don’t like scrambled egg I may try boiled eggs and try a granary bread and see how tolorant I am
An hour ago I was 10.4
Just tested now and it’s 9.2
So I feel like the breakfast was ok and I’m heading in the right direction. Although I really don’t like scrambled egg I may try boiled eggs and try a granary bread and see how tolorant I am
Resurgam
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I have scrambled egg and cheese for breakfast, but with a tomato, thinly sliced and dropped onto the just cooked eggs and cheese. I put the plate over the top for a minute and that just warms the tomato, I then tip it all onto the plate.
The idea that a fruit smoothie is 'healthy' doesn't apply to type two diabetics - the cells are ruptured in the processing and so let all the sugars out into the drink - and those fruits are heavy carbs, with a lot of fructose which isn't good for the liver.
Eating a small amount of frozen berries with thick cream seems OK for me - we actually need fats, not carbs. I only use milk if I run out of cream.
The idea that a fruit smoothie is 'healthy' doesn't apply to type two diabetics - the cells are ruptured in the processing and so let all the sugars out into the drink - and those fruits are heavy carbs, with a lot of fructose which isn't good for the liver.
Eating a small amount of frozen berries with thick cream seems OK for me - we actually need fats, not carbs. I only use milk if I run out of cream.
Good to know. I’ve bought low carb granary. I’m a little reluctant to go too low carb at this point because I have high levels of ketones in my urine already. I’m trying to get myself through the weekend till my Monday morning appointment with the nurse and all my tests.
Can I just ask how different type 1 and 2 diets are ?
Can I just ask how different type 1 and 2 diets are ?
Hi Emma, personally I wouldn't worry too much about going low carb right this instant, on Monday they will be doing your testing and if you have had a very low carb weekend, it could mask the information they need to know at the start (ie, how your body reacts to your 'normal' meals). On Monday they MAY be able to suggest whether it is leaning towards type 1 (and may put you on insulin based on what they estimate your carb to insulin ratio might be), or if they think type 2 then the treatment will be different (or sometimes the same, confusing isn't it?).
I had a 'lost' weekend between going to the Drs and going back on the Monday for further tests. I did not eat any obvious 'sugary' stuff but I did eat my usual porridge and wholemeal bread etc. On that Monday I got sent to the hospital and as mentioned before, came out on insulin.
Your high ketones worry me, I did not know I had them until the Monday and was told I was lucky they were noticed then and that I hadn't keeled over! What are yours at the moment? It's so hard to give advice but if your glucose remains high along with your ketones, I would contact the hospital.
I do think that you have to get a diagnosis before worrying about following a low carb diet, if you are type 1, the advice will be different at first.
bulkbiker
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Ketones were 4 on Thursday and 2 yesterday
The doctor suggested the urine infection might be the reason for the ketone level but I’m not as convinced it’s totally down to that
The doctor suggested the urine infection might be the reason for the ketone level but I’m not as convinced it’s totally down to that
Hi Emma, well I know you are keeping an eye on glucose levels and your ketones so that's good. x
Ham salad and cherry tomatoes and I’m
Up to 12.1 lol
Ahh sorry for the running commentary. It’s starting to feel like my diabetes diary.
Monday can’t come soon enough
Up to 12.1 lol
Ahh sorry for the running commentary. It’s starting to feel like my diabetes diary.
Monday can’t come soon enough
Emma_369
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@Emma3627G once you’ve had your tests Monday and then results you’ll feel better as will know exactly which type your dealing with and how best to tackle it. That’s a great lunch, keep testing, keep posting, and keep positive as you’ve clearly got the right attitude towards tackling this and thats the best tool you’ve got at the minute
SugarDaddy91
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- Wasps. Terrified of wasps. And retinopathy.
Hello, Emma and welcome to the forum!
I worked with gastroenterology briefly and made some experiences along the way there and I would like to say that you've done a good job in seeing the symptoms and acting on them.
So there's a link between UC and diabetes that's well known in theory, but sadly, too many doctors and nurses lack the common sense to connect the two when they're faced with a patient.
First of all; which medicines are you taking? Steroids can and will cause breakdown of muscle, which releases sugar to the bloodstream.
This can raise your blood sugar by quite a bit (as anyone who's taken steroids as a diabetic would agree to).
UC is an auto-immune disorder, and as with other auto-immune organ disorders, these can often come in sets. That being said, if you take steroids, then you could be at a higher risk for getting T2DM. In my professional opinion, those levels you mentioned above are indeed indicative of one form of diabetes or another, but without further tests, it's impossible to know which one.
Ketones are released when the body believes "I ain't got nuff sugar. I gotta make more." It then starts to break down fat and muscle into glucose, which in turn increases your blood sugar.
I would recommend that your doctor or nurse tests your C-peptide value to determine if you are producing a suficient amount of insulin. It's not a perfect test, but it'll tell you if you're producing enough, at least.
It is good that you're so vigilant, but I hope you remember to eat enough.
Ulcerous collitis can be terribly painful, and despite having mentioned the link between medication and blood-sugar, I would not recommend you stop taking the medication just because of this. It looks like you have this under control, though! Good job!
Now; as for your doctor and nurse I would tell them to kindly pick up a **** book. I've seen this too often; tests, tests and tests, but no perscribing of meters or any treatment. I am glad you bought a meter, although I am horrified you had to!
I worked with gastroenterology briefly and made some experiences along the way there and I would like to say that you've done a good job in seeing the symptoms and acting on them.
So there's a link between UC and diabetes that's well known in theory, but sadly, too many doctors and nurses lack the common sense to connect the two when they're faced with a patient.
First of all; which medicines are you taking? Steroids can and will cause breakdown of muscle, which releases sugar to the bloodstream.
This can raise your blood sugar by quite a bit (as anyone who's taken steroids as a diabetic would agree to).
UC is an auto-immune disorder, and as with other auto-immune organ disorders, these can often come in sets. That being said, if you take steroids, then you could be at a higher risk for getting T2DM. In my professional opinion, those levels you mentioned above are indeed indicative of one form of diabetes or another, but without further tests, it's impossible to know which one.
Ketones are released when the body believes "I ain't got nuff sugar. I gotta make more." It then starts to break down fat and muscle into glucose, which in turn increases your blood sugar.
I would recommend that your doctor or nurse tests your C-peptide value to determine if you are producing a suficient amount of insulin. It's not a perfect test, but it'll tell you if you're producing enough, at least.
It is good that you're so vigilant, but I hope you remember to eat enough.
Ulcerous collitis can be terribly painful, and despite having mentioned the link between medication and blood-sugar, I would not recommend you stop taking the medication just because of this. It looks like you have this under control, though! Good job!
Now; as for your doctor and nurse I would tell them to kindly pick up a **** book. I've seen this too often; tests, tests and tests, but no perscribing of meters or any treatment. I am glad you bought a meter, although I am horrified you had to!
