Newbie with recent diagnosis

[DSCLO]

Hi all. I recently was diagnosed Tyoe 2 with a reading of 86. To say I wasn’t surprised was an understatement. My last 2 and a half years have been a rollercoaster during which time I lost both parents to short term illness (my father passed away from coronavirus in April) and I changed jobs 18 months ago which involved 3-4 nights away in hotels each week. My mindset was I have a very good allowance for dinner each evening so I’d have a starter and main and occasional dessert. At home I had dinner which rarely involved more than 1 course. 2 and a half years ago my HBA1C reading was 41!!
Since my dad passed away I’ve also had a bulging disc pressing in my sciatic nerve and was laid up in bed for 6 weeks before my blood tests. During that time I had friends drop shopping off for me and, as I couldn’t walk as far as the kitchen, this mainly consisted of ready to eat pasties and pies plus crisps and chocolate. Prior to my injury I was staying at my dad’s house and largely reliant on fast food deliveries.
I did LCHF 4 years ago very successfully and I told my GP I didn’t want to go on Metformin straight away and would embark on low carb for 3 months before reviewing. The diabetic nurse wasn’t very happy about this and has said she wants to see me after 6 weeks.
So far I’ve managed a Keto diet for the last 4 weeks. I have ketostix which have been dark pink to purple every day once into ketosis. I haven’t wavered from the diet. I’d already stopped drinking alcohol due to the high level of opioids I was taking as painkillers but previously could often open a second bottle of wine at night. I’ve now not drink alcohol for 3 months. I’ve lost 2 stone already and I’m wearing clothes I haven’t worn in 3 years. I have an Omron BP monitor and my daily readings are averaging at 115-120/ 75-80. My BP readings have always been on the high side of normal and I’m happy with these readings.
So I have 2 questions.
Firstly my understanding of the HBA1C test is it gives a reading based over the last 3 months. I don’t want to have a test after 6 weeks of sustained effort if it will have 6 weeks of results prior to my changes mixed with 6 weeks of keto. Am I understanding this correctly and would I be better maintaining what I’m doing and waiting 3 months for my follow up test to get a true representation of the effects of the keto diet?

Secondly I’m spending a few days with my family and off to the seaside later. They want to have fish and chips. After 4 weeks in ketosis I know having that will kick me out but as a one off treat and resume keto tomorrow will it have much impact on my desire to drop my high score if that’s the only ‘cheat meal’ I have between now and next test?

Thanks.

 

[bulkbiker]

They want to have fish and chips. After 4 weeks in ketosis I know having that will kick me out but as a one off treat and resume keto tomorrow will it have much impact on my desire to drop my high score if that’s the only ‘cheat meal’ I have between now and next test?

It likely won't have a huge impact on the HbA1c results but it may well re-awaken urges that you have so far successfully overcome.
Just get the battered fish pick off most of the batter and eat it. Maybe get a second portion of fish and do the same if you're still hungry.Or maybe see if the chippy does grilled fish and have that with butter instead? Depends if you are eating in or taking away I guess.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi all. I recently was diagnosed Tyoe 2 with a reading of 86. To say I wasn’t surprised was an understatement. My last 2 and a half years have been a rollercoaster during which time I lost both parents to short term illness (my father passed away from coronavirus in April) and I changed jobs 18 months ago which involved 3-4 nights away in hotels each week. My mindset was I have a very good allowance for dinner each evening so I’d have a starter and main and occasional dessert. At home I had dinner which rarely involved more than 1 course. 2 and a half years ago my HBA1C reading was 41!!
Since my dad passed away I’ve also had a bulging disc pressing in my sciatic nerve and was laid up in bed for 6 weeks before my blood tests. During that time I had friends drop shopping off for me and, as I couldn’t walk as far as the kitchen, this mainly consisted of ready to eat pasties and pies plus crisps and chocolate. Prior to my injury I was staying at my dad’s house and largely reliant on fast food deliveries.
I did LCHF 4 years ago very successfully and I told my GP I didn’t want to go on Metformin straight away and would embark on low carb for 3 months before reviewing. The diabetic nurse wasn’t very happy about this and has said she wants to see me after 6 weeks.
So far I’ve managed a Keto diet for the last 4 weeks. I have ketostix which have been dark pink to purple every day once into ketosis. I haven’t wavered from the diet. I’d already stopped drinking alcohol due to the high level of opioids I was taking as painkillers but previously could often open a second bottle of wine at night. I’ve now not drink alcohol for 3 months. I’ve lost 2 stone already and I’m wearing clothes I haven’t worn in 3 years. I have an Omron BP monitor and my daily readings are averaging at 115-120/ 75-80. My BP readings have always been on the high side of normal and I’m happy with these readings.
So I have 2 questions.
Firstly my understanding of the HBA1C test is it gives a reading based over the last 3 months. I don’t want to have a test after 6 weeks of sustained effort if it will have 6 weeks of results prior to my changes mixed with 6 weeks of keto. Am I understanding this correctly and would I be better maintaining what I’m doing and waiting 3 months for my follow up test to get a true representation of the effects of the keto diet?

Secondly I’m spending a few days with my family and off to the seaside later. They want to have fish and chips. After 4 weeks in ketosis I know having that will kick me out but as a one off treat and resume keto tomorrow will it have much impact on my desire to drop my high score if that’s the only ‘cheat meal’ I have between now and next test?

Thanks.

Hello @DSCLO , and welcome,
The HbA1c is a three month average, but it weighs a little more heavily on the most recent 2 weeks. If you've gone keto and your sticks are nice and coloured (they won't stay that way as you are in ketosis longer because the ketones won't be as present in your urine after a while, so they don't work as a measuring method for the long term), then it's fairly safe to say the nurse'll be able to see the improvement. Not all of it, but it should make a dent. My second HbA1c was done within about the same time span and I went from severely diabetic to prediabetic in that time, the next test was solidly non-diabetic. So if you want to be sure to blow her away, I think you can rest assured.

The second question: There's a few issues with cheat meals. They can kick-start the carb cravings, keto flu, and if your body's not been used to high-ish blood sugars anymore, a steep rise can make you feel ill and blur your vision. So it's entirely up to you what you want to try with this. If you think you can withstand the carb cravings, and whatnot, and think it is worth it... Have at it. As a one-off. (Quite a few of us save the one-offs for Christmas and their own birthday/wedding cake. ). Being Dutch I don't know what else a chippy has on offer, but if they have something meaty instead? The fish is still carby, unless you pick the bulk of the batter off of course, but better than the chips. Maybe just stick with the fish, or any meat they have on offer? It won't ruin your HbA1,but there is a price. Don't cheat lightly.

Good luck!
Jo
PS: You really, really want to get yourself a blood glucose meter. The keto sticks are nice and so's the weight loss, but you want to know what your blood sugars are doing. Especially around a chip-shop, so you know what is happening and what you can handle. Plus, if you test regularly, you can show that to the nurse to go with the HbA1c. (Test before a meal and 2 hours after the first bite. you're looking for a rise of no more than 2.0 mmol/l. And yeah... We mostly self-fund on here, as the NHS doesn't like to give T2's a meter. They'd go bankrupt, there's too many of us. )

 

[EllieM]

PS: You really, really want to get yourself a blood glucose meter.

This. You don't have to use it all the time, but it will tell you (and your DN) a lot.