Newbie Introducing herself

[Ryhia]

Just signed up to forum today so want to say hi to everyone and share my journey so far you asked for experiences.

For the last couple of years I have known I was pre-diabetic but believe it or not, didn't understand the import of that even though there is diabetes in the family. When I visited the practice nurse she simply said "you need to eat food from the Eatwell plan but you are probably doing that anyway." I think she said that because my BP and Cholesterol is fine. I actually I did follow a reasonably healthy diet much like the Eatwell plan and I have never been a great sugar eater, however I did like bread and pastry.

At the end of Feb this year after a routine blood test(s) I was given the diagnosis that I was diabetic. Believe it or not if came as an utter shock, I had been recalled for a second set of bloods but had not been asked to visit the surgery for 3 weeks so I still thought everything was in the pre stages. My first Hb1ac this year was 54 and the recall one was 52. Everything else is fine with no noticeable symptoms. I am on no medication as I had begun a diet in Jan this year 1000 cals a day and to try to address the prediabetes issue decided to do an 800 cals low carb diet in Feb. I have had no problem keeping to this diet but have experienced issues which brought me to this website for advice. Because of the issues, Afib, my doctor has recommended that I uplift the intake to 1000 and has arranged a 72 hour ECG. (My doctors have been extremely supportive and encouraging regarding my weight loss) I have lost 10kgs since Jan but I have still some way to go, my BMI is 30. I have my next bloods on the 17th April, so will be interested to see what they are.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi and welcome. You have done the right thing in coming to this forum. We are all diabetics of one sort or another, with years of experience between us, so who better to help you!

Your HbA1c is not at all drastic and it shouldn't take you long to get that down to a normal level with a bit of effort, which you seem to be doing.

How long do you intend to stay on the low calorie diet? Many of us on here have found great success without counting calories, just counting or eliminating carbs and upping the fats to compensate for lost calories. It isn't all about weight loss. Lowering blood glucose levels is more important, and the weight loss is a lovely bonus.

I will tag @daisy1 for her important intro post, and meanwhile have a good read round and ask any questions you like.

 

[Debandez]

Hello and welcome.

You may find this post helpful. Many of us control our blood sugars well with a low carb approach. This really works well in reducing hba1c too as you will see from attached. Just 1 sheet of a4 with forum members impressive stats. I never had to count 1 calorie either which suited me as I'm hopeless at that kind of stuff.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/

 

[daisy1]

@ryhopian
Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

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 147,000 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

Reduce your 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

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

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.

 

[Ryhia]

Hi Thanks for the useful info and the welcome, and sorry I have not responded sooner but I am struggling a little. I was trying to do low carb, low fat diet, in hindsight a bit stupid and I have now developed aggressive Atrial Fibrillation. I am undertaking a 72hour ECG test at present. This A Fib is really messing me up. Its worse after a meal then stops for a while. Its like I am not getting enough energy from what I am eating. In desperation yesterday, I ate a sesame crispbread and my heart quickly went calm. I don't want to eat carbs so I am lifting the fat in the hopes the A Fib will improve! Doc has already indicated I will probably need to take blood thinners. Its quite frustrating that doc doesn't see the need for me to have a test kit so have decided buy one myself. Anyone have any suggestions as to the best options? Think my bloods are probably all over the place because of all the stress I have been under. Had my bloods taken on Wednesday, fearing the results.

 

[Mike d]

Low fat? Should be the reverse ... high fat, low carb.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Yes, you can't do low carb and low fat. Your energy will drop.

As for meters, you only need one meter but you need thousands of test strips, so before you buy check the cost of replacement strips. They vary from under £8 to about £30 for 50. The popular meters on this forum for self funders are the Tee2 and the Codefree.
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. (applied at the check out stage)
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833

The Tee2+ is here

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product-category/shop/tee2/


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

 

[Ryhia]

Once more thanks for the useful info re meters - good advice about buying the testing strips in bulk, hadn't really thought about the cost involved when so many strips are required. Guess having a tester is so much more important now as I have received my HbA1c blood results today. I have only spoken to the receptionist but she told me that my tests have come back as normal! After some questioning and querying as to what she meant by normal, she said my bloods were 47. This is better than what I was hoping for. Looks like the last few months have been worth it although I know that I have a long way to go. I still need to keep my bloods in order and would love to continue to lose weight so I have now gone on to a high fat, low carb. I think I may even have been in ketosis for some of that time, could certainly smell the almond breath, but then it might be because of the number of almonds I have been eating. I am still trying to understand this eating plan as different websites seem to have different ideas of what you can eat however will give it a good go as I am convinced by the many examples on these forums that this is the best way to go.

By the way, receptionist has also told me my ECG is normal which I can't quite believe as the A fib is still every much in evidence although improving, the addition of fat seems to be helping.

Regards

 

[jjraak]

@ryhopian ... sadly is NOT normal..that's high prediabetic.

another case of some not understanding the ins and outs of the disease it's self and giving bad information.

• Normal: Below 42 mmol/mol (6.0%)
• Prediabetes: 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.0 to 6.4%)
• Diabetes: 48 mmol/mol (6.5% or over)

link is here..https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html

BUT good news that the trending is down, the afib is being helped and your continuing the LCHF way of eating.

good luck.

 

[Ryhia]

Hi

I know that this measure is high pre diabetes but I look on 47 as better than 48 which was the best I was expecting. Hopefully I can continue to get my bloods down further over the next few months and continue to lose weight. May need advice with the LC diet though, I find it difficult to know what to eat to get the balance between fats, protein and carbs correct.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi

I know that this measure is high pre diabetes but I look on 47 as better than 48 which was the best I was expecting. Hopefully I can continue to get my bloods down further over the next few months and continue to lose weight. May need advice with the LC diet though, I find it difficult to know what to eat to get the balance between fats, protein and carbs correct.

A meter will tell you when you have got your carbs right - it will tell you instantly by testing before and after each meal and keeping any rise from before to after as low as you can - always under 2mmol/l and hopefully less. Use a food diary including portion sizes to help with this, recording your levels alongside the food and looking for patterns. After that, eat the same protein you have always eaten, and increase your fats enough to stop feeling hungry and keeping your eye on your bathroom scales as well as your meter.

 

[jjraak]

Hi

I know that this measure is high pre diabetes but I look on 47 as better than 48 which was the best I was expecting. Hopefully I can continue to get my bloods down further over the next few months and continue to lose weight. May need advice with the LC diet though, I find it difficult to know what to eat to get the balance between fats, protein and carbs correct.

i hope my post read as the receptionist NOT you not understanding the ins and out of diabetes., @ryhopian

lost track of how many get told bad information or that their BG is ok..when it's patently not.

your doing a grand job, and i like the positive take that 47 is better..and it is,
and your also savvy enough to see perhaps more could be done..smart man.

ask away for help, list up your foods for the day at some point, always something that can be picked out and replaced to help squeeze a bit more goodness and tad more carby badness out of your diet.

Onards the journey goes.
best of luck on your travels.

 

[Bluetit1802]

lost track of how many get told bad information or that their BG is ok..when it's patently not.

You can't blame the receptionist. She would be reading from the computer screen where the word "normal" probably appeared next to the non-diabetic (albeit pre-diabetic) result of 47. It is what was shown on my records at one time., and is noted by the lab rather than the doctor.

 

[jjraak]

You can't blame the receptionist. She would be reading from the computer screen where the word "normal" probably appeared next to the non-diabetic (albeit pre-diabetic) result of 47. It is what was shown on my records at one time., and is noted by the lab rather than the doctor.

Oh..then that's just poor information baked into the system, I guess.
But like you say, can't blame those who are just reading what is on screen.

 

[aealexandrou]

Hi

I know that this measure is high pre diabetes but I look on 47 as better than 48 which was the best I was expecting. Hopefully I can continue to get my bloods down further over the next few months and continue to lose weight. May need advice with the LC diet though, I find it difficult to know what to eat to get the balance between fats, protein and carbs correct.

There is no balance between fats, protein and carbs. What you want to do is reduce the processed carbs (breads, sugar, rice, pasta, fruit juices, etc.) as much as possible. Ignore carbs in vegetables as they are usually accompanied with fibre and other nutrients which you need. Protein in excess will also be turned into carbs by the body, so don't overdo the meat. Increase your fat intake as this will help your body change over energy from sugar to fat based ketones. It will also help in clearing out your body of the junk its being holding in after years of relying on carbs/sugar for your energy.

 

[Veryanxious]

There is no balance between fats, protein and carbs. What you want to do is reduce the processed carbs (breads, sugar, rice, pasta, fruit juices, etc.) as much as possible. Ignore carbs in vegetables as they are usually accompanied with fibre and other nutrients which you need. Protein in excess will also be turned into carbs by the body, so don't overdo the meat. Increase your fat intake as this will help your body change over energy from sugar to fat based ketones. It will also help in clearing out your body of the junk its being holding in after years of relying on carbs/sugar for your energy.

This is actually false. Body doesn't rapidly convert protien into glucose it converts whenever body demands.