Read the Riot Act by Doctor

[LeftPeg]

Went for my annual review yesterday, and was told that I was at very high risk of a stroke or heart attack due to my uncontrolled A1C (which has been VERY high for at least five years). She said "Every year you say you're going to start taking care of yourself and you don't."

I used to post on here back in 2018 when I got diagnosed and initially did really well on a low-carb diet.

I don't want to die yet (I'm 45) so I'm back to hold myself accountable.

I have an irritating combination of massive health anxiety, as well as denial over my condition.

In terms of complications (that I'm aware of) I have numbness in some of my leg muscles, and background retinopathy on one eye.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's let their Type 2 get this bad, and still managed to turn it round and restore control.

 

[LonelyFatGuy]

I'd like to know what the A1C actually is, and was for the last five years...?

 

[LeftPeg]

I'd like to know what the A1C actually is, and was for the last five years...?

Hi - it was 103 upon diagnosis in August 2018. My doctor had flagged me as pre-diabetic earlier in 2018 during a blood test for something else, so it obviously developed rapidly that year. Got it down to 53 within the next six months using Keto.

For the past 3 years I've been living more or less in denial and my A1C has been as high as 112 and as low as 85 - which was in February this year, after a good six weeks of lower-carb. Unfortunately that was a short-lived New Year's Resolution and I've since fallen back off the wagon.

 

[Melgar]

@LeftPeg , your blood sugars did rise pretty quickly in a year. I see you are oral meds , may I ask what blood sugar lowering meds you are currently taking?

 

[LeftPeg]

@LeftPeg , your blood sugars did rise pretty quickly in a year. I see you are oral meds , may I ask what blood sugar lowering meds you are currently taking?

Of course, I'm on 500mg Metformin twice a day, and Gliclazide 80mg twice a day. I also reduced my weight from 17st to 13.5st within six months of diagnosis and I've kept it off.

 

[Melgar]

Of course, I'm on 500mg Metformin twice a day, and Gliclazide 80mg twice a day. I also reduced my weight from 17st to 13.5st within six months of diagnosis and I've kept it off.

Well done on your weight loss @LeftPeg. Keto diets can be tough. Some find it relatively easy, whilst others struggle. My personal view, and I'm no expert, is finding a balance with your diet. Cutting things down that are really high in carbs, anything that contains wheat . The other obvious ones are sugars , fruit juices for instance. Fruits, excluding berries, can contain a lot if sugar, I'm thinking grapes.

I'm sure members, more knowledgeable than I am on diets can help you with food ideas. I use exercise to control my blood sugars , that's my go to.

Have you had a C-Peptide test by any chance, just to see how much insulin you are producing? That fast rise in blood sugars from prediabetic to high blood sugars and your relatively young age, I would be inclined to ask for a C-Peptide test.

 

[LeftPeg]

Well done on your weight loss @LeftPeg. Keto diets can be tough. Some find it relatively easy, whilst others struggle. My personal view, and I'm no expert, is finding a balance with your diet. Cutting things down that are really high in carbs, anything that contains wheat . The other obvious ones are sugars , fruit juices for instance. Fruits, excluding berries, can contain a lot if sugar, I'm thinking grapes.

I'm sure members, more knowledgeable than I am on diets can help you with food ideas. I use exercise to control my blood sugars , that's my go to.

Have you had a C-Peptide test by any chance, just to see how much insulin you are producing? That fast rise in blood sugars from prediabetic to high blood sugars and your relatively young age, I would be inclined to ask for a C-Peptide test.

Thanks - I did have C-Peptide test in 2023 as the doctor suspected LADA(?) but it came back fine.

I agree about balance. I had a spell of eating up to 100g of carbs with my evening meal, but no carbs at all for the rest of day. Combined with exercise it seemed to have a positive effect. I'm endeavouring to get back to that now. Currently enjoying some biltong!

 

[TC1763]

Went for my annual review yesterday, and was told that I was at very high risk of a stroke or heart attack due to my uncontrolled A1C (which has been VERY high for at least five years). She said "Every year you say you're going to start taking care of yourself and you don't."

I used to post on here back in 2018 when I got diagnosed and initially did really well on a low-carb diet.

I don't want to die yet (I'm 45) so I'm back to hold myself accountable.

I have an irritating combination of massive health anxiety, as well as denial over my condition.

In terms of complications (that I'm aware of) I have numbness in some of my leg muscles, and background retinopathy on one eye.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's let their Type 2 get this bad, and still managed to turn it round and restore control.

Hi, I have been type 2 since 2008 and my readings were always high with me being in denial. I was on 96 units Toujeo insulin plus 60 units novorapid at each meal. The tablets hadn’t helped, they even had me on Victoza at the highest dose of over 5 years without success . 27th December 2024 I decided after my marriage broke up to join slimming world And my last HBA1c was. 46 and I am off the novorapid and down to 20 units Toujeo. My GP now wants another blood test in 3 months and he is hoping I will be able to stop all medication. I still have 5 stone to lose but am turning it around using slimming world to help maintain motivation and a low carbohydrate diet. I still have a treat but now it is a treat and not a norm. So the answer is Yes it can be done. It isn’t easy but worth it. I have now even started the couch to 5k and although I am really slow and have to repeat runs (mine are more very slow jogs) I am exercising 5 times a week. Go for it and try, you won’t regret it

 

[AloeSvea]

Hi @LeftPeg and @Melgar. The trouble with using the word 'balance' with regards to diet, and with regards to type two diabetes - a condition that it can be argued that high-carb intolerance is a major feature, is that a balanced diet is promoted as involving about roughly 50% of carb dominant foods - half of that being from fruit and vegetables, half from wholegrains. (Thinking of the plate diagram, suggesting these percentages of macronutrients and food groups.) If you have a body that is having a lot of trouble dealing with high levels of glucose, and arguably insulin dealing with the high levels of glucose - making sure you keep the carbs up can be detrimental to your health.

 

[LeftPeg]

Hi, I have been type 2 since 2008 and my readings were always high with me being in denial. I was on 96 units Toujeo insulin plus 60 units novorapid at each meal. The tablets hadn’t helped, they even had me on Victoza at the highest dose of over 5 years without success . 27th December 2024 I decided after my marriage broke up to join slimming world And my last HBA1c was. 46 and I am off the novorapid and down to 20 units Toujeo. My GP now wants another blood test in 3 months and he is hoping I will be able to stop all medication. I still have 5 stone to lose but am turning it around using slimming world to help maintain motivation and a low carbohydrate diet. I still have a treat but now it is a treat and not a norm. So the answer is Yes it can be done. It isn’t easy but worth it. I have now even started the couch to 5k and although I am really slow and have to repeat runs (mine are more very slow jogs) I am exercising 5 times a week. Go for it and try, you won’t regret it

Incredible effort! This is really inspirational. Thanks

 

[Melgar]

Hi @LeftPeg and @Melgar. The trouble with using the word 'balance' with regards to diet, and with regards to type two diabetes - a condition that it can be argued that high-carb intolerance is a major feature, is that a balanced diet is promoted as involving about roughly 50% of carb dominant foods - half of that being from fruit and vegetables, half from wholegrains. (Thinking of the plate diagram, suggesting these percentages of macronutrients and food groups.) If you have a body that is having a lot of trouble dealing with high levels of glucose, and arguably insulin dealing with the high levels of glucose - making sure you keep the carbs up can be detrimental to your health.

Thanks for pointing that out @AloeSvea . I worded my response badly. I wasn't referring to any formal 'balanced meal', I was suggesting balancing one's choice of food based on your own body's responses to the food you are eating. You can use a cgm device to see what food you can tolerate without bumping up your blood sugars. So instead of following a very low carb diet which you cannot sustain, you personalize it. If going very low carb means you cannot sustain it, then find out a what you can eat and enjoy as a means of reducing your blood sugars.

 

[LeftPeg]

Hi @LeftPeg and @Melgar. The trouble with using the word 'balance' with regards to diet, and with regards to type two diabetes - a condition that it can be argued that high-carb intolerance is a major feature, is that a balanced diet is promoted as involving about roughly 50% of carb dominant foods - half of that being from fruit and vegetables, half from wholegrains. (Thinking of the plate diagram, suggesting these percentages of macronutrients and food groups.) If you have a body that is having a lot of trouble dealing with high levels of glucose, and arguably insulin dealing with the high levels of glucose - making sure you keep the carbs up can be detrimental to your health.

Certainly my idea of a balanced diet would contain nowhere near 50% of carbs thankfully! Just enough to keep it sustainable, as I found it impossible to stick to Keto in the medium to long term.

 

[AloeSvea]

Thanks for pointing that out @AloeSvea . I worded my response badly. I wasn't referring to any formal 'balanced meal', I was suggesting balancing one's choice of food based on your own body's responses to the food you are eating. You can use a cgm device to see what food you can tolerate without bumping up your blood sugars. So instead of following a very low carb diet which you cannot sustain, you personalize it. If going very low carb means you cannot sustain it, then find out a what you can eat and enjoy as a means of reducing your blood sugars.

Ah! Quite right.

 

[AloeSvea]

Certainly my idea of a balanced diet would contain nowhere near 50% of carbs thankfully! Just enough to keep it sustainable, as I found it impossible to stick to Keto in the medium to long term.

yes indeed. What you eat and drink is so personal, totally understand.