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"normal" levels

C

centaur68

Well-Known Member
Messages
56
Type of diabetes
Type 2
recently diagnosed T2 on slow release metformin, just got print out from GP
Desmond course in August .. not much advice from GP other than avoid sugars & eat wholemeal.. was put on station but stopped taking it early on, LOVE this site, learnt loads !!!
anyway, been testing myself & fasting levels (morning) & 2hrs after food constantly mid 5's is that good? not sure if it's metformin or LCHF diet I started 2 weeks ago, already lost a few lbs & noticeable fat loss around stomach (also hitting gym/exercising a lot more)

just asking what BG levels I'm looking at really & what my hbA1c levels should ideally be & cholesterol, triglycerides/LDL/HDL levels should be.

thanks
 
Mid 5's is exactly where you should be aiming, so it sounds like what you are doing is helping. It's probably more Diet than Drug that is working the most, but I would continue with both.
 
Are you sure you are diabetic @centaur68 ? What was your BG or Hba1c on diagnosis? I have been following a LC diet for 18 months and my HbA1c was 38 at the last test, but I have never seen less than 5.7 on my meter.
 
thanks Bluetit1802.
hi Mr_pot - HbA1c was 46. will see what test in a few months say..
 
centaur68 said:
thanks Bluetit1802.
hi Mr_pot - HbA1c was 46. will see what test in a few months say..
Click to expand...

So that HbA1c puts you in the pre-diabetic range. It seems you are not Type 2 at the moment. 48 and over is diabetic. Your profile says you are Type 2.
 
that's what GP told me.. your type 2 & started me on metformin & statin
 
going by what GP said.. I'm type 2 & he gave me metformin & a statin
(big family history of diabetes)
 
apologies for reposting reply, couldn't see it on this thread.
I put levels on other thread
 
centaur68 said:
going by what GP said.. I'm type 2 & he gave me metformin & a statin
(big family history of diabetes)
Click to expand...

I understand that, but an HbA1c of 46 is not diabetic. Either your doctor is wrong or you have misheard what your HbA1c was. A print out will answer this dilemma.
 
just looked at printout & definatly 46...
Doc didn't say but we he put me in meds/statin as only 2 away from diabetes & because of family history?
 
centaur68 said:
just looked at printout & definatly 46...
Doc didn't say but we he put me in meds/statin as only 2 away from diabetes & because of family history?
Click to expand...

It is unusual to be put on Metformin when only pre-diabetic (and that is all you are) but maybe your doctor is trying to stop you crossing the threshold. Mostly, Metformin isn't prescribed unless the HbA1c is high before allowing a 3 month period to sort it out by diet and lifestyle change. Your doctor is being over cautious. Is your cholesterol high? I gave you the standards on your other thread, and also gave you a link to this.
www.hughcalc.org/chol-si.php

Did you use it? What is your conclusion about your cholesterol? Have you read up on statins?
 
maybe he is, looking at chart some figures are diabetic others are just below.. maybe that's what he meant about borderline but when I mentioned I that before that phrase got a shot down
cholesterol is up so am trying diet to improve it, read few bits on stations but didn't like feeling so stopped taking them quite quickly..
 
Mr_Pot said:
Are you sure you are diabetic @centaur68 ? What was your BG or Hba1c on diagnosis? I have been following a LC diet for 18 months and my HbA1c was 38 at the last test, but I have never seen less than 5.7 on my meter.
Click to expand...
Which meter are you using?
 
ickihun - is that for me or Mr_pot ?
I use work one, true result twist. but will try & get one of the ones mentioned on other threads
 
Hi @centaur68 very well done at getting non-diabetic fasting levels, with a recent diagnosis this is phenomenal. Mid 5's are really good, as you are not taking any sulphonylureas you can go lower if you feel comfortable - some don't feel great in the 4's, but I like have the extra buffer.
To specifically answer your question about HbA1c, you are aiming for below 42. Cholesterol is a contentious area in recent times, as you are male it is probably a good idea to be somewhere near what the recommendations are without loosing sleep. Triglycerides are important so aim for circa 0.5 (reducing carbs usually gets this heading in the right direction). You want HDL to be higher than LDL and a ratio of around 2 to 1, with a total amount of around 4.
 
Mid 5's are good enough and nothing to worry about. If you get even lower readings, fine. You don't need to worry about going too low, low is good.

Regarding cholesterol you want high HDL and low triglycerides and you'll get there by LCHF.

I too was diagnosed as diabetic with a HbA1c of 46 but with an OGGT, that is oral glucose tolerance test, of 14. HbA1c isn't always that reliable, but it does give an indication.
 
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