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Recent diagnosis of Type 2

Kensho28

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
After having chest pains i was sent for a blood test, cholesterol was 7 (lowest it's been) hba1c was 95 (last sample was 40, 3 years ago), liver function failed.

I've been on statins for a while so the cholesterol reading wasn't a surprise, the liver function has failed before so that wasn't that much of a surprise but the type 2 diagnosis was. I'm going through cardiology for angina and have the GTN spray for it.

Long story short, i've had to change my lifestyle completely, after a few doctors appointments and googling type 2 I've changed my diet completely (very low carbs, fruit, nuts, salads, vegetables, lean meats/fish) given up alcohol (for now) and exercise every day. My statin medication has doubled, i've tried metaformin but had very painful stomach aches so i've been prescribed metformin hydrochloride and they're working a lot better.

Since my diagnosis 30th December 2024 i have lost 11 lb in weight (was 14 stone 4 lb - ideal weight 12 stone) and my cholesterol has gone down to 4.5. feel better already but i'm determined to turn this diabetes around so will be continuing to be strict with my diet and exercise.

Reading the experiences on here has really given me a boost to keep going and some more ideas about diet.
 
Hi @Kensho28 and welcome to the forum.
I have a few observations:
1. If you cut down on carbohydrates, then it is usually advisable to eat more fats, so as to have enough energy and to stay warm in winter. Fear of higher cholesterol is not a reason for 'normal overweight' Type 2's to reduce fat - in fact a Low Carb High Protein, High(ish) Fat way of eating (even without statins) usually reduces LDL Cholesterol as well as raising HDL Cholesterol and reducing Triglycerides. Unfortunately that doesn't apply to thin Type 2's like myself, we still get the benefit of raised HDL and lowered Triglycerides, but get higher LDL as well.

The rate you are losing weight at suggests that you are eating much fewer calories, so more fat (fatty meat and fish plus avocado and olive oil, eggs, cheese, nuts) would not go amiss. The NHS advice is that the ideal rate at which to lose weight is about 1lb to 21/2lbs per week. This way you should avoid the disturbed vision due to big glucose fluctuations was well as too much loose skin by allowing your body enough time to adjust.

2) Wholly underground veg such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips are high carb and are best avoided on a Low Carb way of eating. But celeriac, and swede are not so high carb and are useful substitutes.

3). Tropical fruit is usually very high carb and some Type 2's even have problems with apples and pears. All berries (except for blueberries which are quite a hit sweeter) are OK - so blackberries, raspberries, strawberries are good.
 
Hi Ian, thanks for your reply,

I've previously done the carnivore diet and that included eating the higher fat meats, the problem i have now is i have two different dietary instructions from cardiology and the diabetes nurse, they both know about both conditions but cant agree on what to eat!

The veg i'm mainly eating are cabbage, peas, aubergine, courgette, sweetcorn, sprouts and peppers. i did read root veg aren't great so i've avoided them.

I've stopped eating bananas and apples but i'm ok with pears and eat berries daily with Greek yoghurt. i'm regularly still adjusting what i'm eating as i get advice from people.

I think the main reason for the rapid weight loss is stopping drinking beer and the increase in exercise, i was drinking quite a lot and not moving much. Now being in a calorie deficit, its moving quickly although i know that will slow down. I'm definitely not starving myself.
 
Hi @Kensho28
How do you know which foods you are OK with? Have you tested your reaction to eating them - either with a Blood Glucose meter or with a CGM?

Both apples and pears can vary considerably in sweetness (depending upon variety and ripeness) and in any case all starches digest into glucose, so much so that both wheat flour and mashed potato have a higher GI than even table sugar; so it isn't just the sweetness that matters.

Sweetcorn is a tricky one because if not well chewed, it may pass through the body undigested, however if it is well chewed then it's something that quickly turns into glucose. Thus it may either be something that fills you up and contributes very few calories or nutrients because it passes straight through your digestive tract, or something to be avoided because it's a source of lots of calories and glucose.

Note that on a low carb way of eating (I prefer this term because in many cases there is absolutely no calorie restriction), many/most people lose weight without calorie restriction even when adjusting for more exercise being done as the weight falls away - certainly in my case and for many others.
 
I too have conflicting health issues with cardiac/T2, and am quietly amused at how the specialists for each don't give tuppence about the other, and that I have both in the same body seems unimportant when they issue their instructions. Exploring theories on my own shows that a lot of the recommendations, especially dietary ones, are theories and surmise, with a significant lurch into the fashionable.

Being my own experiment, I have steered through this and find what suits my T2 - and my bloods have been in the non-diabetic range for 3 and a bit years now - also seems fine for my heart and other important bits. So based on my experiment of one, I'd say do your research, note what your body is telling you and - welcome.
 
It's really frustrating trying to get a plan from them that accounts for both conditions but i seem to be doing OK trying a bit from each but reducing the sugars. I'm more concerned with my heart at the moment though so focusing more on that. The increase in exercise and eating healthier is doing the trick, still got to have a stent fitted or a laser to cut the restriction in the arteries, they're deciding which one i need. Once thats done it'll be a lot easier to just focus on the diabetes.
 
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