Newly Diagnosed And Slightly Confused!

Hi, I was diagnosed about 4 weeks ago by my doctor with a HB1AC of 54. She put me on Metformin 500g 1 a day and I had an appointment to see the diabetic nurse. Nothing further was really explained on the day just if the tablets make me sick come back and they will change them.

I then attended my diabetic nurse appointment who advised that she can’t register me as diabetic with just one blood test and that I needed to do another, and to carry on with the Metformin and the changes I’ve been making to my diet (mainly cutting carbs)

The test was re done and I’ve just received the results back of 45, I’m really pleased Cos it seems to be going in the right direction so fingers crossed I’m making the right changes. However I’m now confused if I’m diabetic or not?! It’s under 48 which I thought was the threshold but not sure how much of this is due to medication or if I will need stop them now??

If someone could help explain that would be amazing .

X

Bluetit1802 said:

Hello and welcome!

Only slightly confused??? I would be very confused.

Your nurse was following protocol to give you a second test, but as you changed your diet between the tests, this may have been why your HbA1c was reduced from 54 to 45. The HbA1c is a sort of average of the previous 2 to 3 months, but is quite heavily weighted towards the previous 3 to 4 weeks, so yes, your diet could have made that difference.

Have you been given a follow up appointment with the nurse? If not, I suggest you make one yourself and discuss it all with her. Make sure you tell her about your altered diet. Meanwhile, carry on as you are doing as this is clearly working.

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Hi thanks for taking time to reply!

I have an appointment on 3rd July so will see what the nurse says- I’m glad it’s not just me being a bit thick by being confused I’m definitely going to carry on as I feel a lot better in myself. X

Phoenix55 said:

Well done @Kimtaylor2016 for making the changes that made the difference. I understand that Metformin takes time to build up in the body and make a significant difference so it is definitely your change of diet that has done the work. If you can tolerate it keep going until you are told otherwise, some people opt to stay on Metformin even when their numbers return to non diabetic numbers. Well done and good luck

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Thank you, it’s been a little like a light bulb moment been dieting for years with no luck. I’ve been losing great amounts whilst not eating carbs or only eating small amounts of brown pasta and sweet potatoes as replacements following this I’ve lost about 9lb in four weeks.

I’m wondering if there’s a link somewhere x

Resurgam said:

For decades before diagnosis as diabetic I struggled to lower my weight if eating carbs - I did low carb on my own and then discovered Dr Atkins and realized that I was not the only one with the same problem.

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I hope I’m right and that’s what it is so I can get down to an healthy weight!
One question would the hb1ac results have been skewed if I hadn’t eaten that morning? Just don’t want the good result be something false as I would be gutted