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Newbie Type 2

S

SianP

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi everyone,

I've been lurking on here for a while and have picked up some great advice and recipes. Thought it was about time I joined you all and introduced myself.

I'm 33 and was officially diagnosed type 2 on 13th Feb. I got my first fasting blood result of 15 on 28th Jan and was told by my GP that I was almost certainly diabetic but she would have to do another test and HbA1c to confirm the diagnosis. Within a couple of days I had started on a low carb diet to reduce my sugars and help me to lose weight (I had around 3 stone to lose), I also increased my exercise significantly. I had further bloods taken on 5th Feb (less than a week after starting to exercise and low carb), which came back with BG of 11 and HbA1c of 90mmol/mol (10.4%) and my diagnosis was confirmed. I'm now taking Metformin 500mg once a day (will be twice a day from Friday) and other than occasional stomach ache I'm feeling pretty good.

I'm getting a BG meter from the practice nurse in a few days time and will be testing after meals to see how different foods affect my sugars. My GP actually suggested it as she was so pleased with my attitude and the fact that I want to manage this myself! She is also ok with me being on a low carb diet and has referred me for the DESMOND course. I was very impressed! Let's hope the nurse is just as positive about what I'm doing.

Anyway, I've rambled on enough! I just wanted to thank everyone on here for all the advice that I've read and the fantastic low carb recipes. I feel so much more positive because of what I've seen on here.

Siân.
 
Hi Sian and welcome to the forum:)

Maybe you have already seen this on your travels around the forum, but in case not, here is the information we give to new members which I hope you will find useful. Ask all the questions you need to and someone will help.


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 70,000 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

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

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

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.
 
Hi Sian
Welcome, I stalked the forum for a while before making my first post. I had a HbA1c end December and got result on 2nd Jan - 106. Happy new year, you have t2 diabetes! Like you, I reduced my carbs and hunted on here for recipes. Cauliflower mash and rice are now amongst my staple diet! I had a further test just under 6 wks later to confirm diagnosis. HbA1c had dropped to 79. I had a similar amount of weight to shift and like you I upped my exercise and was well chuffed when 4kgs came off in the first four weeks. My nurse not keen to give me a monitor so I bought my own and am testing lots at the mo and finding it useful. Best of luck with your journey.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Thanks everyone :)

I got my BG meter yesterday and when I tested before lunch it was 5.7 (and 6.2 two hours after lunch). Really pleased with my reduction from 15 (fasting) to 5.7 within just a few weeks!

The nurse doesn't want me testing the way I am doing and only wants 3 or 4 readings a week - hmm, think I'll ignore that. How else am I supposed to know what I should be eating and what causes spikes?! :mad:

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,
Sian.
 
nannyg123 said:
Hi Sian
Welcome, I stalked the forum for a while before making my first post. I had a HbA1c end December and got result on 2nd Jan - 106. Happy new year, you have t2 diabetes! Like you, I reduced my carbs and hunted on here for recipes. Cauliflower mash and rice are now amongst my staple diet! I had a further test just under 6 wks later to confirm diagnosis. HbA1c had dropped to 79. I had a similar amount of weight to shift and like you I upped my exercise and was well chuffed when 4kgs came off in the first four weeks. My nurse not keen to give me a monitor so I bought my own and am testing lots at the mo and finding it useful. Best of luck with your journey.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...

Thanks nannyg123, sounds like you're doing really well. Great stuff!

I'm finding cauliflower is a feature of my diet now too, who knew it could be so versatile!

I hope everything continues to go well for you - good luck! :)
 
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