Newly diagnosed withType 2

Hi and welcome to the forum. I will tag @daisy1 for you to send out the info for new members. There is a lot of useful information in there as well as a link to the free low carb program on this site. Diet is the most effective tool for a T2.

Hi Hansi, if you have not already got one, I can recommend a pill box I'm terrible at remembering repetitive things but I can easily see if I've taken my tablet at morning, noon or night (even if I took my tablet 30 seconds earlier and forgotten )

@Hansi

Hello Hansi and welcome to the forum Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. This gives advice on carbs and levels and includes a link to the Low Carb Program which you might like to join. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to answer.


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 220,000 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 free 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.

Hansi said:

Hi. I am a 73 year young male newly diagnosed with Type 2 as a direct result of about four severe bouts of acute pancreatitis that saw me having to dial 999 and get immediate hospital treatment where I had three iv drip bags to rehydrate me this week. Feel a lot better now, but my GP confirmed the diabetes with a HBA1c figure of 61. I am controllng it by diet and have already lost about half a stone. ny suggestion would be helpful. Thank you.

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Welcome to the forum @Hansi you are in th right place to understand your diabetes - this forum has really helped me. Have a look around the forum, there are great sections on food ideas - and ask any questions you want.

Look after yourself

Welcome to the forum @Hansi

Do have a good read of Daisy's post and follow the links. There is so much to learn, but it is all here, either on the forum or in the main website. Good luck on your journey.

Hi and Welcome!

Sorry you have had such a stressful time of it - and glad that you are feeling better.

Hansi said:

Hi. I am a 73 year young male newly diagnosed with Type 2 as a direct result of about four severe bouts of acute pancreatitis that saw me having to dial 999 and get immediate hospital treatment where I had three iv drip bags to rehydrate me this week. Feel a lot better now, but my GP confirmed the diabetes with a HBA1c figure of 61. I am controllng it by diet and have already lost about half a stone. ny suggestion would be helpful. Thank you.

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Hi. I'm sure it seems a bit overwhelming, but you will learn a lot from this site if you read around. Good advice above.

I would say that the single most important point to take on board is that, to all intents and purposes, carbohydrates turn to glucose in the blood and are therefore as important to consider as sugar. Carbohydrate content is clearly marked on lots of labels. Most of us consider anything above 10 grams of carb per 100 of product to be "high carbs". I try to avoid them. If you can't find the carb content of a food...Google it. In the main...foods that will probably spike your blood sugar level include bread, cereal, pasta, potatoes and rice..as well as all the sugary "goodies". there are still plenty of nice foods to eat that are fine. Research and get empowered.

If you don't have a self-testing meter yet...buy one. It is essential. Only by recording what your level is before and 2 or so hours after you eat will let you know what to avoid. Also, if you record these details (ie. time, level, food), you will learn more quickly and arm yourself with info to convince your doctor you know what you are talking about.

The reduction in carbs and the awareness your records will give you, should make everything way more predictable and manageable. Good luck.

@Hansi Hello and welcome to the forum.. sounds like you're on the right track now.. and in the right place to find answers should you need them.

Hey I have been told I have diabetes type 2. I am on meds and controlled diet. I am finding it hard to accept. How did u accept the news when u were told about your diabetes. It feels like the end of the world for me x

Hello, I was diagnosed back in November and felt a mixture of shock and anger, as my diabetes is steroid induced as the result of treatment for another medical condition. I have found the support of this website invaluable, especially on carb reduction. The emotions are becoming easier to manage, now that my blood glucose readings are nearly all within range, especially with the challenge of Christmas!

Jo1984 said:

Hey I have been told I have diabetes type 2. I am on meds and controlled diet. I am finding it hard to accept. How did u accept the news when u were told about your diabetes. It feels like the end of the world for me x

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I totally get your negative feelings but it is seriously nothing like the end of the world. I mean that, with a bit of research and effort, it is controllable to the point that it will have minimal effect on your general health...I have no intention whatsoever of letting this slip out of my control to cause me any pain or complication. I wonder if your "controlled diet" is one given by a general medical practitioner (ie. not a specialist and therefore prone to dish out general NHS guidelines which are way way less than up top speed). I also wonder if you have been issued a self-testing meter (ie. the one weapon you can have to really let you know what your levels are in response to the food you eat). I have every confidence that you will feel a lot less negative and far more in control as soon as you have established the best foods to eat and to avoid for you personally. Bottom line - it is all about low carbs and a good approach..that's what will empower you and keep the levels down. Good luck.

Angela17376 said:

Hello, I was diagnosed back in November and felt a mixture of shock and anger, as my diabetes is steroid induced as the result of treatment for another medical condition. I have found the support of this website invaluable, especially on carb reduction. The emotions are becoming easier to manage, now that my blood glucose readings are nearly all within range, especially with the challenge of Christmas!

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Hi. Read your post with interest. I too got Type 2 from steroid treatment. I am now managing everything fine with no meds. I am on one steroid for life, but I persuaded docs to cut it right down and that made a huge difference.Just wondered about your specific situation. Good luck.

Hi, due to a pituitary tumour, I am on 15 mg of hydrocortisone daily and my Endo said this would be for life. I am on insulin and Metformin but still have a lot to learn about self management of diabetes, especially carb reduction, as my diet used to contain a lot of complex carbs. I am glad to hear that your situation has improved due to a reduction in your meds and wish you all the very best for your health in 2017.

Angela17376 said:

Hi, due to a pituitary tumour, I am on 15 mg of hydrocortisone daily and my Endo said this would be for life. I am on insulin and Metformin but still have a lot to learn about self management of diabetes, especially carb reduction, as my diet used to contain a lot of complex carbs. I am glad to hear that your situation has improved due to a reduction in your meds and wish you all the very best for your health in 2017.

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Hi. I wanted to just let you know that a low carb diet works pretty well for lots of people (particularly those who find that is is fairly easily sustainable), and that that includes people such as ourselves who had their diabetes induced by steroids. Further, that it can be controlled well enough even for those on steroid treatment for life (although a little spike a couple of hours after taking the steroid is likely if the dose is high enough). I was placed on a steroid as part of anti-rejection treatment post kidney transplant (which was required due to an inherited condition). The spike has pretty much gone due to a gradual reduction in the steroid dose. I was also told it would't be reduced too much but due to developing diabetes, there was a change of mind. Don't get me wrong, given the same choice and the same risks, I would still take the steroids and the diabetes to avoid dialysis. Sometimes we just need certain meds regardless. Anyway, good luck withe the diet and the control (ask you doctor over time about a slight reduction if that is possible...they may agree). All the best for 2017.

Hi pleinster
Thanks for sharing your experience of steroid induced diabetes. I am really appreciative of the advice on low carb eating, though I still have lots to learn about what spikes my bg. I felt lousy before starting hydrocortisone and without it in the event of an accident or serious stress, I would be at risk of an Addisonian crisis, which is life threatening but I will ask at my next Endocrinology appointment, if the dosage can be reduced but whatever the answer, I am full of resolve to control the impact of diabetes.

@Hansi - Hello and Welcome to the Forum .

Jo1984 said:

Hey I have been told I have diabetes type 2. I am on meds and controlled diet. I am finding it hard to accept. How did u accept the news when u were told about your diabetes. It feels like the end of the world for me x

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Hello Jo, please don't panic. Diabetes is not the end of your world. You can manage your life so that it has little effect on you. Keep reading the forums and the main site, there is so much positive help and advice. I've found the most important thing is to take control of my diet. Then, monitor what I eat and the results thereof on my blood glucose.. Knowledge is power, and we are all different so have to manage our own diabetes.
Don't panic (It doesn't help your bg readings!). talk to people, ask questions. None are stupid, and generally someone has an answer. There are some amazing success stories which will encourage you..

Keep strong. It doesn't have to be so scary.

Angela17376 said:

Hello, I was diagnosed back in November and felt a mixture of shock and anger, as my diabetes is steroid induced as the result of treatment for another medical condition. I have found the support of this website invaluable, especially on carb reduction. The emotions are becoming easier to manage, now that my blood glucose readings are nearly all within range, especially with the challenge of Christmas!

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Well done on managing your bg. Being diagnosed around Christmas must have been tough, but you've got through it. Now you can start to rely and build on your new found knowledge regarding your relationship to carbs, this will mean that as the year goes on it will get easier for you.

Congratulations, keep it up.

Angela17376 said:

Hi, due to a pituitary tumour, I am on 15 mg of hydrocortisone daily and my Endo said this would be for life. I am on insulin and Metformin but still have a lot to learn about self management of diabetes, especially carb reduction, as my diet used to contain a lot of complex carbs. I am glad to hear that your situation has improved due to a reduction in your meds and wish you all the very best for your health in 2017.

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Just seen your post about the pituitary gland tumour.
I have one too - but it must be stimulating different hormone releases, since my problems are prolactin over secretion, not adrenalin. Different problem, similar hormone chaos, andmajor carb cravings, if I am not very careful.

In my case, I am on meds for life too - but cannot emphasise how beneficial it is to get control of the diet too - I think that has been even more effective than the meds. Hopefully you will find the same.