Newly diagnosed and confused!

[Jibril90]

I have been diagnosed with type 2 yesterday with a fasting of 10.7mmol/L. I weigh about 90kg and I decide to confront this condition with diet and exercise. Although I started yesterday, but the values I'm getting are not encouraging, almost in the region of 10 whether after exercise or 2hrs postprandial. Please when should I expect to see improvement in my values if I stick to the diet and exercise. Thank you as you respond

 

[Rachox]

Hi @Jibril90 and welcome to the forum. Well done for grabbing the bull by the horns, however we often refer to treating type 2 as a marathon not a sprint, so some patience is needed before you see improvements. Can I ask what changes you are making to your diet?

 

[Jibril90]

Thank you for your response! I have cut down carbs intake, mostly I eat small portion of white rice, spinach, salad, tomatoes, fish and cucumber. I also exercise for one hour daily

Hi @Jibril90 and welcome to the forum. Well done for grabbing the bull by the horns, however we often refer to treating type 2 as a marathon not a sprint, so some patience is needed before you see improvements. Can I ask what changes you are making to your diet?

 

[Rachox]

Thank you for your response! I have cut down carbs intake, mostly I eat small portion of white rice, spinach, salad, tomatoes, fish and cucumber. I also exercise for one hour daily

Some type 2s avoid rice completely but as you are testing you can find out if you tolerate rice or not. The idea is to test blood sugar just before you eat and then two hours later. You’re looking for a rise of no more than 2mmol/L and in any case no higher than 8.5 (or some aim for 7.8) Don't worry about levels higher than that for now, just look for a downward trend.

 

[Jibril90]

Some type 2s avoid rice completely but as you are testing you can find out if you tolerate rice or not. The idea is to test blood sugar just before you eat and then two hours later. You’re looking for a rise of no more than 2mmol/L and in any case no higher than 8.5 (or some aim for 7.8) Don't worry about levels higher than that for now, just look for a downward trend.

That's a relief. Thank you for your useful advice

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I have been diagnosed with type 2 yesterday with a fasting of 10.7mmol/L. I weigh about 90kg and I decide to confront this condition with diet and exercise. Although I started yesterday, but the values I'm getting are not encouraging, almost in the region of 10 whether after exercise or 2hrs postprandial. Please when should I expect to see improvement in my values if I stick to the diet and exercise. Thank you as you respond

I was seeing 20's after a meal that would've been considered "healthy" when just diagnosed, so yes, your numbers can be high in the beginning.... And while you're adjusting your diet, your liver might decide you "need" more glucose, so it might dump some into your blood stream. It'll be a little while before you see an improvement, but as @Rachox said, look for a downward trend... You're not going to get normal blood sugars overnight, but the adjustments you're making should slowly get you into the right direction. (No worries about insulin just yet, okay?!)

I know it's scary, all of this... But you're asking the right questions and you're not alone. And hey, you have a meter, which is excellent! It'll show you what works for you and what doesn't.

Good luck, and hang in there eh.
Jo

 

[Jibril90]

I was seeing 20's after a meal that would've been considered "healthy" when just diagnosed, so yes, your numbers can be high in the beginning.... And while you're adjusting your diet, your liver might decide you "need" more glucose, so it might dump some into your blood stream. It'll be a little while before you see an improvement, but as @Rachox said, look for a downward trend... You're not going to get normal blood sugars overnight, but the adjustments you're making should slowly get you into the right direction. (No worries about insulin just yet, okay?!)

I know it's scary, all of this... But you're asking the right questions and you're not alone. And hey, you have a meter, which is excellent! It'll show you what works for you and what doesn't.

Good luck, and hang in there eh.
Jo

Thank you so much! That's so insightful!

 

[Jibril90]

In trying to make adjustments with my diet, I have been having a dull, boring headache and chills that doesn't go with analgesics. Is it part of the adjustments?

 

[KennyA]

In trying to make adjustments with my diet, I have been having a dull, boring headache and chills that doesn't go with analgesics. Is it part of the adjustments?

Hi - I think the answer is "maybe". In any case we can't diagnose here.

Some people report that sort of headache/chills feeling when lowering carbs (I'm not one of them) particularly if you've been used to a much higher level of carb intake and BG recently. You'll see it referred to as "keto flu" sometimes, and it usually goes once your body adapts to the new lifestyle.

I have no idea if that's what's going on with you, and it's equally possible that it's something - a random bug maybe - unconnected with diet or BG levels. Not everything is down to the T2.

If you're at all worried, you'd need to consult medical personnel.