Hi I am recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and have been put on metformin of 2 500mg a day and pretty much told to get on with it any advice thanks
Newly Diagnosed And Extremely Confused Type 2 Diabetic
- Thread starter Mr.NK69
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- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
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How often do we see “Newly Diagnosed” and “Confused” in the titles of newbies threads? All too often I’m afraid. You’re not alone MrNk. Whether it’s due to time constraints or poor training a lot of new type 2s are given very little info.
I was diagnosed 13 months ago, once I was over the initial shock, I saw it as the proverbial kick up the bum to get healthier. I was started on Metformin tablets and tolerate them well now after a bit of stomach upset in the early days. I wasn't advised to eat low carb by my GP or Diabetes education course, but stumbled on this forum by chance and took up a low carb life style with self monitoring. I started by eating less than 100g carbs/day to begin with and then after 6 weeks reduced it to 50-70g/day, nowadays I tend to keep under 60g. Caution needs to be taken on certain drugs going low carb but on just Metformin it’s ok. The best way to see what foods suit you is to test right before a meal and then two hours after the first bite, you’re looking for a rise of no more than 2 mmol/l and to be within these recommended ranges:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html
This has worked for me, to date I've 6 stone (still more to go) and got my HbA1c (blood test for 2-3 month average blood sugar) down to a non diabetic level, all due to the fantastic support and advise I got here. Read around the Forum and ask any questions that occur to you.
I was diagnosed 13 months ago, once I was over the initial shock, I saw it as the proverbial kick up the bum to get healthier. I was started on Metformin tablets and tolerate them well now after a bit of stomach upset in the early days. I wasn't advised to eat low carb by my GP or Diabetes education course, but stumbled on this forum by chance and took up a low carb life style with self monitoring. I started by eating less than 100g carbs/day to begin with and then after 6 weeks reduced it to 50-70g/day, nowadays I tend to keep under 60g. Caution needs to be taken on certain drugs going low carb but on just Metformin it’s ok. The best way to see what foods suit you is to test right before a meal and then two hours after the first bite, you’re looking for a rise of no more than 2 mmol/l and to be within these recommended ranges:
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html
This has worked for me, to date I've 6 stone (still more to go) and got my HbA1c (blood test for 2-3 month average blood sugar) down to a non diabetic level, all due to the fantastic support and advise I got here. Read around the Forum and ask any questions that occur to you.
JoKalsbeek
Expert
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- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Best advice is two-fold: educate yourself on the dynamics of diabetes (and how carbs figure into things.... This place's low carb program and dietdoctor.com will help), and buy a meter. Being a type 2 the NHS won't provide one, but most people here self-fund. Should you choose to make lifestyle changes, it is a priceless tool. As a type 2 your body is unable to properly process carbs. All carbs, fast, slow, brown, white, sugar, starch... So if you ditch cereal, bread or any kind of dough really, potatoes, pasta, corn and rice, as well as fruit (fruit is healthy, just not for us... Though most of us can handle berries with double cream)... Might see a really big improvement in your bloodsugars straight off the bat. Fat, as it turns out, isn't the obesity-culprit, and it doesn't have that much impact on cholesterol either. So yay for bacon! Eat above ground veggies, meat, fish, dairy, eggs... Go for full-fat, as it slows down any sugar spikes, and low fat is usually loaded with carbs, so steer clear! If you have a meter, check before eating and 2 hours after first bite; if you go up more than 2 mmol/l, the meal was too carby for your body to handle. (Once you know how your body responds to certain meals, you can test a whole lot less.). For me, when I'm not fasting, it's eggs and bacon, cheese and mushrooms in the morning. Salad with tuna, olives, capers and mayo for lunch. Dinner is cauliflower rice/broccoli rice with bacon and cheese, and whatever meat/fish we fancy having that day. Maybe have some walnuts or pecans if I'm peckish or in a social situation where people get antsy if I don't munch with them. 
They're filling meals, I want for nothing, and I don't know if HbA1c means anything to you, but mine is currently 34. HbA1c is an average of 3 months' bloodglucose. Mine is in the non-diabetic range. And I've dropped 44 pounds, though currently plateauing, much to my chagrin.(after 44 pounds though, that's not bad... I'm just a little strickt with myself.) No idea if weight is an issue for you, but if it is, it's a nice bonus to getting your bloodsugars under control. Meds are of course an option, but without dietary changes T2 is a progressive disease. And for me, the side effects were horrid, so... Diet-only for me. I realise it's not for everyone, as it is a choice, up to a point, and we're all different; sometimes low carbing alone just isn't enough because our bodies simply don't cooperate. But for quite a few people... It's working.
Good luck!
They're filling meals, I want for nothing, and I don't know if HbA1c means anything to you, but mine is currently 34. HbA1c is an average of 3 months' bloodglucose. Mine is in the non-diabetic range. And I've dropped 44 pounds, though currently plateauing, much to my chagrin.(after 44 pounds though, that's not bad... I'm just a little strickt with myself.) No idea if weight is an issue for you, but if it is, it's a nice bonus to getting your bloodsugars under control. Meds are of course an option, but without dietary changes T2 is a progressive disease. And for me, the side effects were horrid, so... Diet-only for me. I realise it's not for everyone, as it is a choice, up to a point, and we're all different; sometimes low carbing alone just isn't enough because our bodies simply don't cooperate. But for quite a few people... It's working. Good luck!
ding79
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 62
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Hi,
I absolutely fit that heading. Diagnosed last week with a reading of 126. GP didn’t tell me what that meant and no diabetic nurse appointment until 6 August. Put on metformin, nothing about diet. 126 sounds pretty high looking at some of the numbers on here but no other symptoms other than fatigue (which is what I went to GP for).
Any suggestions to reduce my confusion would be much appreciated, I did find a conversion table which showed 6% but that still means nothing to me!
Thanks
I absolutely fit that heading. Diagnosed last week with a reading of 126. GP didn’t tell me what that meant and no diabetic nurse appointment until 6 August. Put on metformin, nothing about diet. 126 sounds pretty high looking at some of the numbers on here but no other symptoms other than fatigue (which is what I went to GP for).
Any suggestions to reduce my confusion would be much appreciated, I did find a conversion table which showed 6% but that still means nothing to me!
Thanks
daisy1
Legend
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- Type of diabetes
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- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@Mr.NK69
Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful and interesting. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will try and help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
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:
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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
Hello and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful and interesting. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will try and help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
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
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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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.
bulkbiker
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bulkbiker
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ding79
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Hi. I am in England. Was told this was my HbA1c reading but when I look those up they all seem to be just double digit.
I'm getting a meter tomorrow so I guess that will help but at the moment I have no idea what I am aiming at.
Thanks all for the welcome
bulkbiker
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OK if it was your HbA1c then it's pretty high. Read Daisy's post above (number 6) and start cutting down on carb intake pretty fast. Diabetes is diagnosed at levels greater than 48 and pre diabetes at 42 so you want to aim for those (or lower of course).
bulkbiker
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This chart shows you at the very top end... sorry
https://mobile.twitter.com/Diabetescouk/status/342654280404189184/photo/1
Resurgam
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Well - the good news is that you should be able to reduce your Hba1c to much more normal levels by changing your diet - but it is probably going to come as a bit of a shock just judging from your result.
It will mean avoiding sugar and starch - and you might find that you feel rather wobbly from time to time as it takes effect - but if you are a typical type two, and lucky, then your blood glucose will drop and the longer you stick to it the lower your Hba1c will go as your hemoglobin frees itself of glucose. Metabolism can regain its balance, you can lose weight if you like, or not - there are some really good foods you can eat and enjoy, and putting cream in your coffee is actually good for you.
It will mean avoiding sugar and starch - and you might find that you feel rather wobbly from time to time as it takes effect - but if you are a typical type two, and lucky, then your blood glucose will drop and the longer you stick to it the lower your Hba1c will go as your hemoglobin frees itself of glucose. Metabolism can regain its balance, you can lose weight if you like, or not - there are some really good foods you can eat and enjoy, and putting cream in your coffee is actually good for you.
ding79
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- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Ha ha! I can see I'm going to have to become a glass half full sort of person!
bulkbiker
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Well a lot of us have found our health and overall demeanour have improve loads since diagnosis.. I look on it as having a silver lining..
Me too.I have an injection once a week and 500mg of Metformin slow release each tea time. This is my third attempt to tolerate metformin and after only two days I already have an upset stomach.I hate it.I hope you have better luck. Some people take it without problems.Take it with mealtimes.
ding79
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 62
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Great to have the chart that bulkbiker sent across as it tells me where I am. Unfortunately I can't reply to him for some reason.
