Newbie

[pollensa]

Hello to everyone, I'm new to the site - I was recommended it when 1st diagnosed and to be honest, I have found it quite confusing. There is lots of generic information - but trying to find out if something is good or bad for me is not easy. I was sent away from the useless surgery that I am a patient of. Just told that I had diabetes and then sent packing. My crime? I asked if I could refuse the "aggressive new treatment that makes you pee like a horse" (the doctors actual quote) and left with a leaflet advising to join a weight loss class.
6 months in, I'm getting worried, I have had several episodes of heel bursitis since last November. This restricts my activity levels at a time when I need to lose weight. I've lost about 6% of my body weight so far and hope to get that past 15%. The forums are very jargony - my last result did not mean anything to me - they used to say it was 5.6 (when tested with the old drink a bottle of lucosade method) - I was given a higher number - 71? No idea what means, no idea how bad it is, no idea what it should be. I've spent several hours on here and to be honest, I scared. I've not had any treatment - not even a eye scan since I was diagnosed. Is this normal?

Hello there, yes it can be confusing along with the cut offs you should aim for and the results numbers if you are not first explained and guided by your doctor time of diagnosis. Your not alone, I too here in Mallorca was informed time my Doc read my A1C out, "Your result is diabetic, dont drink coffee and convince yourself your diabetic". Thankfully A1C was error and turned out only Pre diabetic, whatever, no one explained gave support numbers of diabetes associations or other, simply sent packing on my way, with my trying to ask questions as I was going out the door, do I need a monitor, lancets, how many times do I have to check my blood sugars finger tests, to which I got a grumped look and reply "oh you have to pay and supply these items yourself, and check every 2 or 3 weeks up to you. I opted due to no support guidance from doc or system to do my own researches which have proved valuable knowledge gained. I can relate to your situation of no information and pushed out the door situation.

I would like to share with you a most interesting video of Dr. Jason Fung, a neurologist highly respected Doctor worldwide, amongst all information gathered, speaking about diabetes 2 generally, I have to say this excellence of video by Dr. Fung, puts Diabetes 2 into perspective in a simple and understanding manner in a nutshell without using medical jargon, which may prove helpful to have as first base knowledge, and then add other gained knowledged on top.

look on www.dietdoctor.com excellent website for keto and low carb recipies, although only prediabetic, change of lifestyle low carb eating, exercising every day, and intermittent fasting are three excellent ways to start and control your situation. This may prove helpful also for you.

If your confused and need clarifications I would suggest go back to your Doctor or surgery,explain you need information to be in a position to put a plan together require information of the cut off numbers if you have to check your fingers blood testing to keep control of sugar levels to aim for.

Hopefully in the interim, the below link video will assist, indicate what can be done regards diabetes 2, its interesting especially the explanation the way Diabetes is been treat by the medicals, seeming over 30 years not viewed treat the way it should i.e. treatment should focus target the CAUSE insulin resistance and not the symptom sugars, perhaps doctors out there should have this video on their shelves in surgeries and take a leaf out of the informative knowledge expressed.

Good luck, I would get your doctor to provide you with basic information hopefully information will become more easy to understand it has taken me one year of searches to finally understand Diabetes so your not alone in that either.

Mallorca.

 

[pollensa]

Hello

It,ll get very confusing and then clears.

Glucose c6 h12o6 has a relative molecular mass (weight of 1 mol) of 6x12 + 1x12 + 16x6= 180g/ moles.

In the old days the amount of glucose in the blood was reported in how many thousands of a mol were present per ml of blood. Or mmol glucose/ l of blood. Now it's reported in milligrams gkucose/ 100ml blood.
Quickest method
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-sugar-converter.html


Quick answer
Every mM of glucose = 18mg/dl
So
mM result* 18= mg/dl result.

Or mg/dl result ÷ 18 = mM result.

Long answer

A mole (mol) is a defined number of subatomic particles, around 10^26 inif recall correctly-tbc).
1 mol of carbon was determined to weigh 12g.
Other elements have also had their unique relative atomic masses determined.
The relative molecular mass of a molecular is the sum of each atoms, the RAM X the number of atoms of each element.


Glucose c6h12o6 is made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the ratios 6, 12, 6, with respective atomic weights of 12, 1, 16g/ mol
It's RMM is 6x12 + 12x1 + 6x16 =180

That 1 mol of glucose weighs 180 g.
If 1 mol ue 180g of glucose were dissolved in water (or blood) upto a liter, there would 1 mol per litre, written 1M or 1 molar.
If 1000th of a mil ie 0.18g were dissolved in 1L the molar concentrate would be 1 Milli molar (1mM)
So a 7mM solution contains
7x 0.18= 1.26g/l

These days they changed how they write concentration from mols/ ml to grams/ volume.

Firstly they express the weight now per tenth if a volume, a decilitre =100ml.
They also express the weight in milligrams, 1000ths of a gram.
So our 7mM solution contained
1.26gL which is equivalent to 0.126g/ decilitre which is equivalent to 126milligrams) deciliter.

So the concentration hasn't changed, just the way it's expressed.

What a thorough presentation of general info, thanks for sharing. You may also like to see an interesting video of Dr. Jason fung which puts diabetes 2 into perspective see below, which may prove of interest , for more gained knowledge if you have not already seen the video. I found it most helpful, do agree seems the cause of diabetes insulin resistance should be treated and focused,instead of the sugars, and doctors should take a leaf out of the info provided in the video, or better have this video on the shelves in their surgeries?
Again, great info you have provided am sure will prove beneficial for many out there.

Mallorca

 

[Liam1955]

Welcome to the Forum @berliner 2
There is a Thread on Forxiga/Dapagliflozin - go to the main index and it is under the heading of: Diabetes Medication and Drugs.

 

[daisy1]

@berliner 2

Hello Berliner 2 and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will try to 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 235,000 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  
  
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
  

 

[berliner 2]

Hello

It,ll get very confusing and then clears.

Glucose c6 h12o6 has a relative molecular mass (weight of 1 mol) of 6x12 + 1x12 + 16x6= 180g/ moles.

In the old days the amount of glucose in the blood was reported in how many thousands of a mol were present per ml of blood. Or mmol glucose/ l of blood. Now it's reported in milligrams gkucose/ 100ml blood.
Quickest method
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-sugar-converter.html


Quick answer
Every mM of glucose = 18mg/dl
So
mM result* 18= mg/dl result.

Or mg/dl result ÷ 18 = mM result.

Long answer

A mole (mol) is a defined number of subatomic particles, around 10^26 inif recall correctly-tbc).
1 mol of carbon was determined to weigh 12g.
Other elements have also had their unique relative atomic masses determined.
The relative molecular mass of a molecular is the sum of each atoms, the RAM X the number of atoms of each element.


Glucose c6h12o6 is made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the ratios 6, 12, 6, with respective atomic weights of 12, 1, 16g/ mol
It's RMM is 6x12 + 12x1 + 6x16 =180

That 1 mol of glucose weighs 180 g.
If 1 mol ue 180g of glucose were dissolved in water (or blood) upto a liter, there would 1 mol per litre, written 1M or 1 molar.
If 1000th of a mil ie 0.18g were dissolved in 1L the molar concentrate would be 1 Milli molar (1mM)
So a 7mM solution contains
7x 0.18= 1.26g/l

These days they changed how they write concentration from mols/ ml to grams/ volume.

Firstly they express the weight now per tenth if a volume, a decilitre =100ml.
They also express the weight in milligrams, 1000ths of a gram.
So our 7mM solution contained
1.26gL which is equivalent to 0.126g/ decilitre which is equivalent to 126milligrams) deciliter.

So the concentration hasn't changed, just the way it's expressed.

Phewf!!!!!

 

[berliner 2]

@berliner 2

Hello Berliner 2 and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will try to 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 235,000 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  
  
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.

thank you for this. Saw the nurse today and last test showed my level had some down slightly - I have lost a stone or so over the last 5 weeks and anticipate trying to go for 3 stone. Booked in for a test August 2nd and am keeping my fingers crossed that its down again. At no time has any medical expert advised me to self test. Are these people just writing off people with diabetes?

 

[bulkbiker]

Are these people just writing off people with diabetes?

Kind of.. if you are a doctor telling people that their condition is chronic and progressive and they will end up on insulin(which most doctors do) then why would you put any effort into making them better as you don't think it can be done. The few doctors that believe that the condition is fairly easily controllable by diet are few and far between.. unfortunately.

 

[Jenny15]

Kind of.. if you are a doctor telling people that their condition is chronic and progressive and they will end up on insulin(which most doctors do) then why would you put any effort into making them better as you don't think it can be done. The few doctors that believe that the condition is fairly easily controllable by diet are few and far between.. unfortunately.

I don't live in the UK so I can't comment on what things are like there. In my experience in NZ, however, most GPs do understand the need to help T2s manage their BGs as well as possible for as long as possible.

I was never told I would definitely progress or need insulin, and I was diagnosed at 40, so at that time had 30-40 years ahead of me. All along I've been aware that I *might* need insulin at some point, probably in my 60s, because so many of my aunts, uncles and cousins have T1 or T2. I wasn't scared of the idea of insulin and would not have seen it as a sign of having "failed." Current NZ guidelines and other educational resources try to bust that myth in particular.

I think the proportion of GPs that are open to seeing T2 as fairly easily controlled by diet (for most people) is increasing all the time. Of course I have no data to support that hunch, but I'm drawing the conclusion from a range of "softer" more qualitative evidence. I have moved around a bit in the last 9 years, so I've inadvertently seen at least 8-9 GPs about it, counting locums. None of them took a fatalistic approach. It's also the tone of the NZ guidelines and supporting practice resources.

 

[Jenny15]

thank you for this. Saw the nurse today and last test showed my level had some down slightly - I have lost a stone or so over the last 5 weeks and anticipate trying to go for 3 stone. Booked in for a test August 2nd and am keeping my fingers crossed that its down again. At no time has any medical expert advised me to self test. Are these people just writing off people with diabetes?

Great to hear! It's not a biggie, but if you happened to jot down the A1c number itself, that would be helpful. 53-55 is a threshold where most of the guidelines say some damage might be occurring long term, 65 is where doctor/nurse is meant consider offering additional options, 75 is a red flag if it's been there for more than 3 months. Mine was up for there for at least 12 months and I wasn't told.

 

[bulkbiker]

Mine was up for there for at least 12 months and I wasn't told

Hardly a great advert for the NZ medical service..

 

[Jenny15]

Hardly a great advert for the NZ medical service..

There are 4.5 million people in NZ and this was one error in one medical centre. Are you trying to wind me up? LOL.

 

[bulkbiker]

There are 4.5 million people in NZ and this was one error in one medical centre. Are you trying to wind me up? LOL.

Well it's just the one you know about.. unfortunately we have no idea how many others there may be. I'm glad that you find the NZ healthcare acceptable I'm afraid I find that the UK system is pretty bad when looking at Type 2 diabetes and cholesterol so I really hate to think how bad it may be for other conditions...

 

[Jenny15]

Well it's just the one you know about.. unfortunately we have no idea how many others there may be. I'm glad that you find the NZ healthcare acceptable I'm afraid I find that the UK system is pretty bad when looking at Type 2 diabetes and cholesterol so I really hate to think how bad it may be for other conditions...

I agree that we all need to make sure our HCPs are providing the care we need to stay healthy. I just challenge your blanket generalizations. I honestly thought you might have been joking.

 

[therower]

I agree that we all need to make sure our HCPs are providing the care we need to stay healthy. I just challenge your blanket generalizations. I honestly thought you might have been joking.

There are many people with differing views about the NHS we have.
It's not perfect, but what is?
Personally I would rather have it than not. I maybe have been fortunate in that I have had great care and help especially with my diabetes.
Abuse of our NHS is what weakens it the most.

 

[Jenny15]

There are many people with differing views about the NHS we have.
It's not perfect, but what is?
Personally I would rather have it than not. I maybe have been fortunate in that I have had great care and help especially with my diabetes.
Abuse of our NHS is what weakens it the most.

I agree. The NZ nhs has saved my bacon so many times I've lost count. I think comparing the health systems between countries is usually unhelpful. We all do the best we can with the choices we have.