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Newly diagnosed Type 2, HbA1c is 101, feeling really concerned.

Kaity Thorpe

Active Member
Messages
28
Location
Evesham
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi I was diagnosed today with type 2 diabetes. I was told that my HbA1c was 101 and I'm really concerned about it. I've got to wait three weeks to see the diabetic nurse and really don't know what I should be doing. The doctor prescribed Metformin, but other than that I feel totally lost and really down. Is it normal to feel like this at first? Thanks.
 
Hi welcome to forum, I'm tagging @daisy1 for a new member post for you with lots of useful information.

You have come to a great place for support and advice so don't be afraid to read loads and ask any questions you may have.
 
When diagnosed my HbA1C was 99 and I had to wait 5 weeks to see a diabetes nurse.

The best advice is to get a blood glucose meter and cut out high carb foods such as breakfast cereals, bread, potatoes, rice and pasta as well as fruit juice and fruit such as bananas and grapes.

I was on Metformin, but I stopped taking it once I had got my HbA1C down to 44 by eating a low carb diet. See www.dietdoctor.com for advice on low carb food.
 
Kaity Thorpe said:
.... I feel totally lost and really down. Is it normal to feel like this at first?
Click to expand...

Yes, that is typical. When I got the Type 2 diagnosis almost one year ago I felt like my world had come to an end, which in retrospect was over the top, but that's what it felt like at the time. It is also, sadly, common to feel let down by health-care providers, judging from the comments of other members of this forum.

Some of us have successfully "reversed" our Type 2 diabetes by adopting a "low carbohydrate" diet. By "reversed" I mean that our blood glucose levels are "non-diabetic." We still have diabetes, but if we keep those levels low, we have a much better chance of avoiding the complications of the disease. I am one of those people (see signature below).

This "low-carb" option is not for everyone. In particular, those taking certain kinds of diabetes drugs should do this diet only with medical advice. (You said you are being put on Metformin, which is OK when combined with a low-carb diet.)

You may know this already, but it worth remembering that "carbohydrates" is much more than just "sugar" and includes a lot of common foods, including for instance bread, rice, pasta, potatos....

Here are some useful links:

Explaining the HbA1c blood test: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/what-is-hba1c.html

Explaining the various low-carb options: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diet/low-carb-diabetes-diet.html

Getting food information and recipes: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb

If you do decide to try out this "low carb" option, you may find it very confusing at first and the advice may conflict sharply with that given to you by doctors or nurses. This forum is a great place to find out more, and help you decide what you want to do.

Welcome!
 
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When I was diagnosed with an 88 I was prescribed Metformin and then left to get on with it.

Not even an appointment with a Nurse, which was a good thing as I came here and found all the help, support and information I needed.
 
Hello and welcome I'm a newly diagnosed T2 I was diagnosed a month ago same as you given metformin and told I would be getting appointments via the post still waiting. I felt very scared at first but found this site and now feel so much better nice people and good advice you are not alone and things will get better it just takes time I hope you feel better soon if you feel really bad go back to your doctor that is what they are there for wishing you all the best
 
Thank you so much, this gives me great hope x
 
Thank you and it's good to feel I'm not reacting weirdly and I really appreciate the help. X
Thanks, it's good to hear that it's quite normal to respond in such a way at first. I will look at the links later. x
 
britishpub said:
When I was diagnosed with an 88 I was prescribed Metformin and then left to get on with it.

Not even an appointment with a Nurse, which was a good thing as I came here and found all the help, support and information I needed.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I have a feeling the support here will far outweigh any other x
 
Thank you x
 
It is quite normal unfortunately. Many of us go through this. And it doesn't help to be given metformin and basically told to go away and come back in 3 months.
 
Most people find the same as you on diagnosis. GPs tend to delegate Type 2 diabetes care to nurses and most seem to know very little about it. You will learn so much more on here from people that are also diabetic with a lot of experience.

Someone above suggested buying a glucose meter, and that is an excellent idea. They are the best (and only) tools we have as T2s, and it will soon become your best friend. If you decide to do this we can help you with which meters are suitable and how to use one to get the best advantage out of it. You are VERY unlikely to be prescribed one by your nurse.

Take some deep breaths, read Daisy's post when it arrives, and meanwhile read round the forums and ask as many questions as you like.
 
I was diagnosed at 109 and after two months on metformin I reduced to 59. At this point I stopped my Metformin and after another 4 month of eating lchf I was at a hba1c of 41.
 
If only someone would say to the newly diagnosed, 'well, with a bit of luck you can get down to more normal levels in a few weeks and you should see a big reduction in your next tests' but no - we just get left drifting aimlessly until someone can be bothered to give us their attention.
Seriously, though - eating a low carb diet, testing your blood glucose and doing a bit more exercise can work wonders.
 

This might help to start with, and welcome to our community!

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/foods#foodlist
 
@Kaity Thorpe

Hello Kaity and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will 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
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.
 
Hi Kaity,
I have been type 2 for many years and was getting steadily worse until I discovered the low carb high fat diet a year ago. Blood sugar levels dropped dramatically immediately, and I have been steadily reducing my blood pressure, weight and medication ever since. I feel like a whole new person and can thoroughly recommend it. There is plenty of info on the internet and here at diabetes uk if you want to research it. I read Volek and Phinney's book to understand the chemistry "the art and science of low carbohydrate living.."" .
 
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