Hello I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, anaemic and low vitamin D. I have started taking metformin advised by doctor, over a 3 week period to increase it to 3 tablets per day. I am now taking statins as well. I am determined to be pill free and reverse my diabetes. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Recently diagnosed and worried
- Thread starter Sadakf
- Start Date
Clivethedrive
Well-Known Member
daisyduck
Well-Known Member
Bluetit1802
Legend
Hi @Sadafk and welcome,
No better place than this forum to learn all about it and how to control it.
Perhaps you could tell us what your test results showed (HbA1c and cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides)
Also, keep reading round, and ask as many questions as you like.
No better place than this forum to learn all about it and how to control it.
Perhaps you could tell us what your test results showed (HbA1c and cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides)
Also, keep reading round, and ask as many questions as you like.
AM1874
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,383
- Location
- West Lancs
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- Not much
Hi @Sadakf .. and welcome
I was in a similar position as you when I was diagnosed T2 about 3 weeks ago .. no real idea of what was happening to me and lots of questions. Since joining this forum, though, the folks here have given me so much info, advice and support that I am now much more confident about the journey ahead. It's still early for me but, in my experience, it gets easier .. very quickly
Managing and controlling your diabetes through exercise, diet and testing - with or without medication - seems to be the best way forward. For me, committing to an LCHF lifestyle and testing 3-5 times a day, seems to be working .. I have lost 8.5kg since my diagnosis and my BG levels are down from 12.5 to around 6. There is a wealth of info about LCHF on the forum .. and a wealth of relevant advice and positive support.
You may also find the following posts useful ...
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/taking-the-driving-seat.116651/
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/what-to-expect.117018/page-2#post-1399186
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@Sadakf
Hello and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new Members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
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 147,000 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:
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 free 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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
Hello and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new Members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
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 147,000 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
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 free 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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
Hi and welcome!
Hiitsme
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,986
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
13lizanne
Expert
- Messages
- 8,262
- Location
- Central Scotland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- The Gym, + unkindness and rudeness
Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. I apologise for the late response, I had trouble logging into the forum.
I have not seen the diabetic team yet, my appointment is next Thursday.
@Bluetit1802, my HbA1c was 103, I did not ask about the cholesterol, think it was all overwhelming and did not take it all in, but will get the breakdown next week and post it on the forum.
I have noticed that many are checking their sugar levels before and after a meal. Is thus something I should be doing? , Will this be explained to me at my first visit to the diabetic team?
Thank you Daisy 1 and AM1874 for the information. I have cut down on some carbs as I am interested in how well others have done on the LCHF diet. I'm just worried the doctors are more interested in prescribing the medication. I am now taking 1000mg metformin which will increase to 1500mg, is that normal. My weight is 92.5kg, and I'm 5ft 4.
I have stopped taking the status due to a number if factors, what to know the levels of my cholesterol first and second since taking I have not been able to sleep. Has anyone else had similar problems?
I have not seen the diabetic team yet, my appointment is next Thursday.
@Bluetit1802, my HbA1c was 103, I did not ask about the cholesterol, think it was all overwhelming and did not take it all in, but will get the breakdown next week and post it on the forum.
I have noticed that many are checking their sugar levels before and after a meal. Is thus something I should be doing? , Will this be explained to me at my first visit to the diabetic team?
Thank you Daisy 1 and AM1874 for the information. I have cut down on some carbs as I am interested in how well others have done on the LCHF diet. I'm just worried the doctors are more interested in prescribing the medication. I am now taking 1000mg metformin which will increase to 1500mg, is that normal. My weight is 92.5kg, and I'm 5ft 4.
I have stopped taking the status due to a number if factors, what to know the levels of my cholesterol first and second since taking I have not been able to sleep. Has anyone else had similar problems?
Bluetit1802
Legend
Ask for a print out so you have it all in black and white. You will find it useful later on as you will be having lots of blood tests from now on and you can compare them all to see how well you are doing.
It is very likely they will tell you not to test and come up with whatever excuse your surgery churns out. The majority of us Type 2's not on strong medication have to buy our own meters and strips and ignore what the doctor and nurse say.
Yes, if you want to learn which foods your body likes or doesn't like, and in what portion sizes, you need to test before you eat and again 2 hours after first bite. Keep a food diary including portion sizes and record your levels alongside. Look at the difference between before and after, and if it is too high, try again with smaller carb portions. If it continues to be too high, you need to eliminate something. It is trial and error, but patterns will emerge.
Metformin is the first medication for doctors to prescribe (unless your levels are very high, in which case they will prescribe a stronger one) It really doesn't do much to lower blood sugar levels. It helps to reduce the amount of glucose the liver produces, and helps with insulin resistance, but all to a limited extent. It is mainly an appetite suppressant. It certainly isn't a magic pill and can't be relied on at all to stop any post meal rises. Only what you eat or don't eat can do that, so diet is the key, and reduced carbs is the only way to go.
My husband couldn't sleep when he was on statins. The GP told him to take it in the morning rather than at night and that helped a bit. He then stopped taking them completely.
