Tophat1900
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,407
- Location
- Australia
- Type of diabetes
- Type 3c
- Treatment type
- Other
- Dislikes
- Uncooked bacon
Try to relax, you've come to the right place for support and information. Welcome.
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Newly diagnosed
- Thread starter libbylondon
- Start Date
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@libbylondon
Hello Libby and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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 Libby and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it both interesting and helpful.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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.
Welcome @libbylondon. I felt exactly the same re emotions. Once the dust settles it gets easier. I had a whopping Hba1c of 112 but with going very low carb immediately (20gpd) I was down to Hba1c of 36 three months later. I’d recommending reading as much as possible in this forum and Jason Fung’s books or YouTube videos.
I too am a deeply private person and I have still not told anyone apart from my husband, 7 months on. There is no need to especially as low carbing is so in at the moment. No one had questioned my choices and I’m not sure I will mention my diagnosis unless absolutely essential. Best of luck and stay strong x
I too am a deeply private person and I have still not told anyone apart from my husband, 7 months on. There is no need to especially as low carbing is so in at the moment. No one had questioned my choices and I’m not sure I will mention my diagnosis unless absolutely essential. Best of luck and stay strong x
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thank you Daisy, that's all so helpful and the easiest to understand that I have read so far. Much appreciated.@libbylondon
Hello Libby and welcome to the Forum
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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 carbohydrates
- 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
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.
- 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.
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thank you Flora, and encouraging to hear your great result using low carbs. I was already following Slimming World when I was given my diagnosis and asked the DN at my practice if that was still appropriate. He said it was but with slow-release carbs so I carried on. Now, having done more reading, I am certain that low carbs is the way to go. So I have lost a few weeks in getting started but now making the necessary changes. Thanks for your suggestions and I will check those out.
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thank you
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thank you Rosie. I hadn't thought about intermittent fasting although did do it some years ago so will give that a go too once I get settled into the low carb way of things. Good luck with your own journey, sounds like you are doing well x
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thank you Numan, all the advice and support is making me feel more hopeful. Good luck to you.
Fantastic result @Flora123 ..truly impressive in such a short space of time.
and your tale reflects just how diverse we all are.
we don't NEED to tell anyone, i suspect..except those REAL close
but the closetting of the story does then give the impression, it's only one or two who have it.
I'm a noisy G*t, so i have no issue, but i am aware others might want to be more low key, and that is to be respected.
but like i said i was surprised at the number of people i casually know who are also in the same boat.
It just gives us a chance in the day to have that 'cooler' moment (i think it's OFFICE parlance) to just shoot the breeze and chat about the latest foods, meds, etc alongside the Football, politics, whatever of the day..
just like we do on here with the exchange of snippets of information..just like normal folks (..almost..
)Hopefully the issue become less awkward in the years to come (sadly) , as i can only see more and more
falling foul of the awful disease, with the current advice, from the "Eatwell Gang" continuing to be the MAINSTREAM ADVICE..without cutting back on the carbs.
Good luck on the journey.
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thank you Groundgripper. Yes my supermarket trips are taking an age as I obsess over food labels! When dieting in the past I had always just looked at calories but now learning it's a much wider picture. I so appreciate you and others taking the time to comment, it's helping so much already.Do not fret, and do not get wound up m`dear, it takes a wee bit of time to have it all sink in, the most important medication you will ever get is your own steely determination not to roll into a ball, or feel you have done something wrong and not tell people.
Be open about it to those you trust, it is not your fault, but now you know what has happened, you can with help from the good people here get on with your life and deal with it, right down to the supermarket shuffle, (ie) picking up items reading the Carbohydrate contents put them back and shuffle along to the next carb count.
It is not a lonely road you travel, it can be a long one, but you are never alone, not on here.
Prem51
Expert
Welcome to the forum @libbylondon. It's good you have found this forum. You will get a lot of good advice and support on here.
It does take a bit of time to get your head around it all, but just ask anything you want.
It's good that you already have a bg meter, even if you weren't able to get a blood blob big enough. Some people find that warming their hands by washing in hot water helps, or shaking hand. I sometimes don't get a big enough blob initially, but squeeze my finger to get more. You will learn to find the best places to get a good drop. I usually go for the top and sides of the finger tip rather than the pad.
The figures you should be aiming for are between 4-7 mmol/L before eating, and a rise of not more than 2 mmol/L two hours after eating. Any foods which spike you more than that can then be avoided.
It does take a bit of time to get your head around it all, but just ask anything you want.
It's good that you already have a bg meter, even if you weren't able to get a blood blob big enough. Some people find that warming their hands by washing in hot water helps, or shaking hand. I sometimes don't get a big enough blob initially, but squeeze my finger to get more. You will learn to find the best places to get a good drop. I usually go for the top and sides of the finger tip rather than the pad.
The figures you should be aiming for are between 4-7 mmol/L before eating, and a rise of not more than 2 mmol/L two hours after eating. Any foods which spike you more than that can then be avoided.
on the plus side they do speed up a tad, when you just KNOW the cereal aisle, amongst others is out of bounds..
if im honest i just look at the carbs only a 2 second scan and move on to the next item.
so SHOULD be quicker, right....oh no..
THEN my inquisitive little mind
....demands i start checking food i have never heard of from AROUND the world, to see if maybe i can add those to my NEW way of eating..Lucky enough (i NOW think ) to live nor too far from a wholefoods supermarket..and i've also just found some greengrocers nearby that sells the most amazing range of fruits to put even wholefoods to shame...
sadly nothing is marked up as "xyz £3 a kilo " type thing..
so i don't want to go all schoolboy and ask
"how much are these mister? ok then HOW much are these mister.."..hahaha..
i must take a picture and then try and work out WHAT they are...
then work out IF i can eat them and HOW to cook and prepare them.
Trust me @libbylondon ..i thought i wa becoming a FOODIE..
missus most deffo is and i've been inducted over the years.
BUT MY Goodness the range and breadth of foods i have NEVER even heard of...
just realised i started out with the good intentions of trying to ease your mind about how long shopping can be NOW...
...and just realised now, i've ended depressing myself at how long it now takes me...
Travel well, @libbylondon
remember to smell the roses and taste the coffee
on the journey.
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thank you, at least coffee is still on menu!on the plus side they do speed up a tad, when you just KNOW the cereal aisle, amongst others is out of bounds..
if im honest i just look at the carbs only a 2 second scan and move on to the next item.
so SHOULD be quicker, right....oh no..
THEN my inquisitive little mind
Lucky enough (i NOW think ) to live nor too far from a wholefoods supermarket..and i've also just found some greengrocers nearby that sells the most amazing range of fruits to put even wholefoods to shame...
sadly nothing is marked up as "xyz £3 a kilo " type thing..
so i don't want to go all schoolboy and ask
"how much are these mister? ok then HOW much are these mister.."..hahaha..
i must take a picture and then try and work out WHAT they are...
then work out IF i can eat them and HOW to cook and prepare them.
Trust me @libbylondon ..i thought i wa becoming a FOODIE..
missus most deffo is and i've been inducted over the years.
BUT MY Goodness the range and breadth of foods i have NEVER even heard of...
just realised i started out with the good intentions of trying to ease your mind about how long shopping can be NOW...
...and just realised now, i've ended depressing myself at how long it now takes me...
Travel well, @libbylondon
remember to smell the roses and taste the coffee
on the journey.
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thanks for advice Prem, will give that a go. Cheers!
- Messages
- 11,360
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
So is cream.Thank you, at least coffee is still on menu!
Prem51
Expert
Double cream is even better!So is cream.
KK123
Well-Known Member
Hi Libby, a very warm welcome. It's easier said than done I know, but don't ever think that this is your fault, you have a slightly wonky body that doesn't work exactly as it should! Diabetes is not a dirty secret and like anybody's elses health, it is nobody's business but your own. I cannot think of any other condition where there is so much negativity and blame bandied about by those who know NOTHING about it. Can you imagine the media and public at large shaming those with breast cancer for example on a daily basis, no wonder we diabetics go underground or off grid!!!! Once you know you have it then all you can do is manage it as best you can which you are doing by coming on here for starters. x
Hi Libby, I was terrified when I was diagnosed in November but that wears off as you gain knowledge/control. I thought the website sugar101 was good and liked her idea of reducing carbs until your numbers are normal and then reintroducing them one by one until you see what you can tolerate. I'm in slimming world too, I was talking to my leader yesterday of finishing with them and she said "stay, have speed days and teach the rest of us about low carbing". I'm going to give that a shot, it helps to have a community also trying to lose weight.
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Thanks KK. I think it probably is my fault really as I haven't always made the best food choices or kept my weight down. And my relaxation method of choice until recently normally involved a glass or two or more of wine. It's odd how easily I have given that up and don't really miss it so that's one less temptation to worry about! But nothing to be gained by beating myself up and I know it's all about what I do from now on. Thanks for the warm welcome!
libbylondon
Well-Known Member
Hi Emily, thanks and I will definitely have a look at that website. I have been an online member of SW and don't go to groups but can appreciate it helps to have that contact with others. And it's great that your leader has encouraged you to carry on by doing it your own way. It's clear that lots of people have had great weight loss success and there is a lot about the plan that is good. I do wonder though if SW could do more to encourage better portion control. Some of the recipes on their website suggest 500g of pasta for 4 servings, ie 125g each which is way beyond what a normal portion needs to be, even for those not watching the carbs. Still, it's all about finding the thing that works I guess. Thanks again and good luck with your own weight loss x
