I asked my doctor a while ago about Byetta, because my HbA1c results have been high recently and I've gained weight since starting pioglitazone (I think it's spelt something like that...), so he refered me to the diabetic clinic at the hospital.
The HbA1c result from the blood tests for this appointment was 6.9%, which is lower than the previous ones (8+%), so I assume the pioglitazone is working.
Because the HbA1c result was so much lower than before I didn't press the diabetic consultant about Byetta, and the result of the appointment was an appointment with a dietician, and another appointment with the consultant in 6 months after they have done tests for antibodies (antibodies that kill the cells that make insulin I assume?). He also said it would be a good idea to do fingerprick tests and keep a note of the results! First time a doctor has admitted that to me, I hope my GP will prescribe strips etc.
Is it realistic to aim to reduce my blood sugar from 6.9% to normal levels (HbA1c below 6% is normal? It's so hard to get a straight answer about this from the NHS!) with no change in medication, just by improving my diet? And they also said the wieght gain from pioglitazone/Actos should stop, does anyone have any experience with this and think it's correct or not?
It's interesting that it's taken 4 years since I was diagnosed for someone to ask about family members with diabetes (including asking if my mother or maternal grandmother was deaf, apparently there is a type of diabetes that is carried in the female line and associated with deafness?), or to think of testing to see what type of diabetes it is. Although as it's been responding to metformin for 4 years I think chances are it's type 2, somehow!
The HbA1c result from the blood tests for this appointment was 6.9%, which is lower than the previous ones (8+%), so I assume the pioglitazone is working.
Because the HbA1c result was so much lower than before I didn't press the diabetic consultant about Byetta, and the result of the appointment was an appointment with a dietician, and another appointment with the consultant in 6 months after they have done tests for antibodies (antibodies that kill the cells that make insulin I assume?). He also said it would be a good idea to do fingerprick tests and keep a note of the results! First time a doctor has admitted that to me, I hope my GP will prescribe strips etc.
Is it realistic to aim to reduce my blood sugar from 6.9% to normal levels (HbA1c below 6% is normal? It's so hard to get a straight answer about this from the NHS!) with no change in medication, just by improving my diet? And they also said the wieght gain from pioglitazone/Actos should stop, does anyone have any experience with this and think it's correct or not?
It's interesting that it's taken 4 years since I was diagnosed for someone to ask about family members with diabetes (including asking if my mother or maternal grandmother was deaf, apparently there is a type of diabetes that is carried in the female line and associated with deafness?), or to think of testing to see what type of diabetes it is. Although as it's been responding to metformin for 4 years I think chances are it's type 2, somehow!
