Newly diagnosed

@Evie-D
Hello 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 600,000 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.

Evie-D said:

Thank you - feeling a bit overwhelmed with it all

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Hi Evie,
Many of us remember feeling the same, your not alone.
It gets easier really.
Take care

bulkbiker said:

I'd heartily suggest buying a blood sugar meter so you can see the effects of various foods and what helps or hinders your blood glucose.

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I've been told that a GP can issue you with one ,but not sure how true that is.

Ian2477 said:

I've been told that a GP can issue you with one ,but not sure how true that is.

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They are only normally issued to those on insulin or Gliclazide type drugs that can cause hypos. The rest of us have to self fund.

Ian2477 said:

I've been told that a GP can issue you with one ,but not sure how true that is.

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Its very rare for T2's to get them prescribed .. My local CCG has a no prescription policy but the docs will sometimes let you have one if you have a convincing argument. I bought my own and use it to this day 2 or 3 times a day to keep an eye on things.. I don't like nasty surprises.

I asked the diabetic nurse when I was diagnosed last week and she gave me a new one from the cupboard and had the lancets and strips out on prescription. To be fair she thought it was a good idea to test myself and said it will definitely help so some practices are different. Shame not everywhere is the same.
I am religiously testing to find what I can and can’t eat and some stuff if surprising on how it can affect you, I had egg for breakfast and 2 plums which sent my readings to 14, guess no plums for me.

pau1200 said:

I had egg for breakfast and 2 plums which sent my readings to 14, guess no plums for me.

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When I was first starting this journey I had a similar reaction to one single plum. The birds got the rest of the punnet and I have never had one since.

@Evie-D welcome to the club no one wants to join, but where we all help each other.
3 things made a massive difference to me:
1) Low carb diet (of course - see above)
2) blood testing before and after meals - you'll flinch like anything first time but no it doesn't really hurt, no it won't stop you playing the piano (not sure about stringed instruments!)
3) THIS SITE. Visit it daily, it is habit forming and very inspirational

Here is a blog I wrote after less than 2 months - you may find it helpful
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/type-2-my-first-50-days.2190/

Evie-D said:

Thanks for all support to date. Since diagnosis I still haven’t seen anyone official - first appt not until end of May - so having to work things out for myself. I started a LCHF diet the day of diagnosis and got myself a blood glucose meter and it’s been an eye opener. I’ve so far lost just over 8lbs in weight ( still a very long way to go) and have been using the meter to test the effects of various foods. I am on metformin (3 tabs per day) but am working my way towards coming of it eventually, I hope. My mmol is staying between 5.3 and 7. In two weeks I’ve only had two readings above this and that was near the start. My hb1ac count at the start was 96 so I think I’m doing ok.
What’s become clear however is that it’s through this forum, where I have gained most understanding about type 2. I understand that each individual has their own experiences and views on blood glucose testing, but for my own part I’ve found this to be almost comforting. I feel that I am directly able to control (rightly or wrongly) the effect on my blood glucose by what I eat and therefore limit the damage already done from progressing. If I didn’t do this, I would be devastated if my hb1ac level hadn’t improved because I’d been ‘left in the dark’ for 3 mths. My partner is also amazed at the effect some so called ‘healthy’ foods have and has taken steps to adjust his diet after discovering he is eating more sugar than he thought although he is not diabetic. I know I’m only New at this but want to thank you all for the support given. It really is helpful.

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Brilliant new, you’re doing well, keep up the good work and I’m sure there’ll be a significant reduction in your next HbA1c test. Brace yourself for a bit of opposition to the LCHF way of eating and self testing when you do eventually meet up with your Health Care Professionals. However the proof is in your numbers that it works!

Morning @Evie
Congrats on the weight loss and it's great to hear your finger testing is down in the 5- 6 range .
Hope your appointment goes well .

Evie-D said:

it’s through this forum, where I have gained most understanding about type 2. I understand that each individual has their own experiences and views on blood glucose testing, but for my own part I’ve found this to be almost comforting. I feel that I am directly able to control (rightly or wrongly) the effect on my blood glucose by what I eat and therefore limit the damage already done from progressing. If I didn’t do this, I would be devastated if my hb1ac level hadn’t improved because I’d been ‘left in the dark’ for 3 mths. My partner is also amazed at the effect some so called ‘healthy’ foods have and has taken steps to adjust his diet after discovering he is eating more sugar than he thought although he is not diabetic. I know I’m only New at this but want to thank you all for the support given. It really is helpful.

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ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT,WELL DONE!!