New to this after some help

Dont panic.In any event if its diabetes it can be dealt with. We need to know if it was a HbA1c or a random glucose,and what were the numbers.Since you dont know anything yet just dont panic.This isnt a death sentence at any stretch.A lot of us have been able to control it just by diet alone as type 2's.

I'll let the British folks answer,they know more about your system.Im just here to relieve you from much worrying ,this is treatable.Didnt want you waiting all night for them to help you,not knowing anything.

Also we will need to know if type 1 or type 2,that will determine the path you take.

Stick around,these folks are experts at this,the best advice anywhere is right at this forum,hands down,no exaggeration.You landed at the right place,already you are getting good things done just by that.

Hi @Brockyneo and welcome!

Whether what you ate before the blood tests will have impacted them really depends on which tests they were. If it was an HbA1c, which measures the average blood glucose over two to three months, then the impact will have been minimal. If it was just a random blood glucose test then it may well have been elevated. Either way, if you’re being re tested and will have fasted, that should give you a clearer picture.

Do make sure you ask which tests you have and get the results - whatever they are, there’s plenty of support on here.

You don’t have a diagnosis yet, but you might find the information in this link helpful. Do come back and let us know hw you get on.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.26870/

Brockyneo said:

Thanks guys just carnt believe a random blood test has possibly come back with bad news, I checked for early symptoms and I dont have non at all I feel fine I've emailed about my first results so if they get back in touch I'll post them on here

Thanks for your helps guys

When I was looking at the doctors monitor I think I saw a number around 60 dont know if this means anything

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That 60 could be anything... HbA1c or anything else. Next time you speak to someone at the practice after every test, get your exact results (a print out, or maybe you can log in to your practice's results?). You're flying blind without numbers and the names of the tests, so that'd be a good idea from here on in, not just this one time. In any case, quite a few people here were a-symptomatic and the T2 came out of the blue. I was quite symptomatic, and still was quite surprised, as I thought it was my other issues wreaking havoc. Whichever way things go, you will be okay, believe it or not. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ is my own little quick-start-guide, but all in all... Whatever way this turns out, you'll be fine. We've got your back. Remission is a thing. (If a T2, you'll technically always be one, but this doesn't have to be a progressive condition, you have a say in that, and you're not doomed.)

Keeping fingers crossed for you,
Jo

Brockyneo said:

Just a question when blood is drawn out does the insulin in the blood that is in the test tube still active only asking as I think before I had my bloods done (I wasn't expecting to have them done) I had a full bag of mint imperial's which might not of helped

Hi just had bloods redone today and asked about the test I had it was a HbA1c and it was 76 which I think the blood test I had done around 4 years ago was 35 but I have eaten alot of pasta and rice over the past few months but I think it's not looking good

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To answer your questions: It's not the insulin they're testing. A HbA1c is the average bloodglucose of the past 3 months, leaning most heavily on the last 2 weeks before the test. Any present insulin wouldn't affect that outcome at all.

The pasta and rice in the past months shouldn't've had an impact on your HbA1c, if your metabolism still worked as it should. So it's not the food that changed, it's your body.

Thing is, you can change the food so your body feels better... So start there.

A false reading isn't likely, but it is usually the practice to have 2 tests done before making diabetes official. And yeah, it's the carbs we can't handle. That doesn't usually happen overnight, but your excellent HbA1c from a few years ago could well mean it's a recent issue. I was a T2 for years before diagnosis, most likely, with damage done, so it's good if you are catching it early and stopping it in its tracks. (There are silver linings here). I am a little concerned about the weight loss though, combined with what you call a lot of carbs... You might want to mention that to your GP or endo, and request C-peptide and GAD tests done. Sooner rather than later, actually. Just to make sure your diagnosis is correct.

Brockyneo said:

Thanks for your help I'm guessing from the first test results there not looking great and could be a false reading?

I've changed my diet ever since my first test I didn't realise carbs where such a bad thing thats all I eat lol I've lost around 8 pounds since around 2 weeks without even really trying proberly from worrying

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Brockyneo said:

Thanks guys just carnt believe a random blood test has possibly come back with bad news, I checked for early symptoms and I dont have non at all I feel fine I've emailed about my first results so if they get back in touch I'll post them on here

Thanks for your helps guys

When I was looking at the doctors monitor I think I saw a number around 60 dont know if this means anything

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The only reason I found out that I had diabetes is because I have annual blood test for my blood pressure . I too have no outward symptoms and 5 years down the line still have non of the symptoms and feel ok .

Hi there. Absolutely dont worry, and it's a good thing you've found out so you can start learning and managing. Also great that you've found this site as there are some lovely people who know a lot.

Your story very similar to mine. I had a routine test for cholesterol and found out my HbA1c was 73, with blood sugar on the day of 14. They also discovered I had hyperkalemia, which although a false reading was a blessing as I saw specialists straight away.

They even checked HbA1c again and it was the same. I'm still waiting on the tests to see if I'm LADA (a form of type 1 diabetes) or Type 2, but after an initial period of worry (like you) I'm checking my blood before and two hours after meals (I have a glucose monitor as been prescribed a drug called gliclazide to lower levels short term) to see what foods are doing what, and I am generally being more mindful what I eat (plates of carbs and a whole packet of sweets because I fancied them sounds like I was in the past too!). Similarly, i had no symptoms and not overweight, although on reflection I was more tired and grumpy.

So really dont worry, ask for those GAD and C Peptide tests from the Dr, and start learning a little at a time. You'll be fine

Hi @Brockyneo. I didn't have any symptoms when I was diagnosed, and still don't.
The weight loss is a possible indicator of Type 1 diabetes. You do need to ask your gp if that is a possibility - further tests (GAD and C-Peptide I think) would determine that. Many gps seem to assume that people who become diabetic later in life must be Type 2, as Type 1s are more usually diagnosed as children or young adults.
But some Type 1s do become diabetic when older, it's called late onset Type 1 or LADA.
Type 1 is controlled mainly by insulin medication.

OK, so when you get the result of your retest you should see your doctor to review the results.
Ask your gp surgery for a printout of the results for both tests which gives you a lot of useful information. You should also ask your gp surgery if they allow you online access to your test results. GP surgeries are supposed to allow online access but some still don't. You do usually have to request the online access.

Brockyneo said:

I've been eating alot more fruit the past 2 weeks and cut out a lot of carbs I've still had the odd bad bit of food few bits of pizza and a mcdonalds but seem to have lost around 6 to 8 pound over the 2 weeks

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Watch out for fruit - it is only too easy to eat a lot of sugar in the form of fructose, even if you are reducing sucrose and starches.

Hi @Brockyneo. Well done on the reduction from 76 to 63 in just two weeks. That's quite a reduction in a short time.
We can't diagnose you, but it does sound more like it's Type 2. It's not borderline or pre-diabetes. In the UK non diabetic is below 42, pre-diabetic is 42-47, and diabetic is 48 and above.
48 might be regarded as borderline, and if reading was 48 on first test another test would be taken after 2 weeks to confirm diagnosis.

Your readings of 76 and 63 are firmly in the diabetic range, but not very high. Having already reduced your readings you should be able to reduce them further by your 6 month retest. Many of the Type 2s have reduced their blood glucose levels by adopting a Low Carbohydrate High Fat (lchf) approach to eating. That means avoiding or lowering consumption of not just sugary food and drinks, but also starchy carbohydrates. Starchy carbs turn to sugar quickly in our bodies so aren't good for Type 2 diabetics. The main culprits are bread, potatoes, pasta and rice.
To replace the energy from starchy carbs we increase the intake of 'healthy' fats like oily fish, avocados, full fat dairy products, olive oil and nuts. Meat, fish and eggs are good too.

It is good to get a blood glucose meter to check your blood glucose levels and to find out how different foods affect you.
I use a TEE2+ meter. It costs £9.99, and the test strips cost £7.55 for 50 which are among the cheapest. You can order the meter and test strips online: http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/
But if you ring Spirit Healthcare on 0116 286 5000 to order and tell them you are diabetic they might send you a free meter.

Have a read round the forum to see how lchf works and ask any questions you want to. You will get a lot of good advice and support from the people on this forum.