Newbie questions

Peridot said:

I wasn't too bothered about being sent for a GTT (other than having needles stuck in me) because I had no symptoms of diabetes and was pretty confident I didn't have it.

Then out of the blue, I got a letter from my GP with a prescription attached.

Firstly, how conclusive was my reading - does anyone know? My result was:
Serum fasting glucose level - 10.700 mmol/L
120 minute blood glucose level 19.900 mmol/L

Also, should I take metformin? I just want to check it's not like statins where GPs dole them out like smarties as a knee-jerk reaction.

Are there other symptoms that aren't so widely publicised? I get very bad headaches for example.

Finally, is there a board on here just for T2, without insulin? The T2 board seems to be for people on insulin.

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for any answers. I'm pretty upset about the diagnosis and am trying to at least get a bit of control in understanding more.

Click to expand...

Glucose levels : look D, tbh
Metformin: unless you have liver/kdney/alcoholism probs this is the standard first set of D "sweeties" try them
Otherwise try dropping your carbohydrate level and increase your exercise levels, if possible.

Your readings are conclusive. They are also quite high.

Metformin does tend to be prescribed for all type 2's just about as much as they prescribe statins. If you have any problems with either then don't suffer it but take the problem straight back to your doctor or nurse.

There are lots of possible symptoms and I suppose headaches could be one of them although I never suffered from that one.

There is a board for T2's whether they are on insulin or not. Most T2's are not.

Hi

Welcome

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/type-2-diabetes.25/

Here is the Type 2 board,

Your levels look conclusive to my amateur eyes.

Take a look at this link

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html


There must have been something that made your GP think diabetes was a possibility for him/her to send you for the test. Perhaps you had a symptom that you didn't recognise as a diabetic sign?
Are you over weight? Or have you lost weight rapidly?

Lots of people take Metformin without any problems although often a first approach is weight loss, change of diet and exercise.

You should get a welcome message from forum moderator Daisy with lots of useful info but if you have any questions please just ask


Cara

Dear Peridot,
Those reading that you've posted of your recent OGTT would indicate that you DO have Diabetes and yes your DR's choice in prescribing Metformin will be based on these readings which are higher than 'normal' non-diabetic levels.
Oral medication is frequently prescribed to a new Type 2 diabetic, together with advice as to a revised suitable diet and exercise, particularly if the individual is overweight.
Metformin if frequently prescribed as this is one of the first choices your Dr will make to help in controlling B/G levels.
Sometime Insulin will also be prescribed, yes even to a Type 2, usually where the conventional Oral medication have failed to be effective in controlling the individuals B/G levels.
This may help you in understanding why a Type 2 may also eventually need to resort to Insulin and why this site refers to Type 2's on insulin.
There is also a special type of diabetes Type 1,5 (LADA) which is often miss-diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes and which can also add further confusion.

If the readings are accurate - and the fasting one is virtually guarenteed to be, then welcome to the club. Also your readings are rather high especially your fasting one.

Remember, the metformin doesn't cure or stop it. You need to change your diet - probably quite radically, take up some form of regular exercise at least 3 times a week and if you smoke stop it - now.

Hi and welcome. Metformin is prescribed for most of us. It's a very safe and problem-free drug except a few have stomach problems in which case ask the GP for the Slow Release (SR) version which is kinder. If you are overweight Metformin is useful as it helps reduce insulin resistance. By having the right diet, typically lower-carbs, then this will also help with both weight reduction and lower blood sugar. Note that Metformin although very good won't make a large change to your blood sugar. Do get a meter and monitor how you are doing and to find out which foods affect your blood sugar the most.

The most useful item in your life from now on will be a blood glucose monitor. Your GP probably won´t give you one so have a look, there is at least one thread on these. The cost for the actual metre isn't so bad and some are even free, but test strips usually are expensive.

Some buy them on line, on e-bay or at Booth´s or such.

Your only way to know how different foods affect your bg is to test. It is a simple way to take control.

Headaches were a major symptom for me. They went when I got my bs under control.

Hi Peridot and welcome to the forum. Here is the information we give to new members which I hope will help you. Ask as many questions you want and someone will help.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/