Recently Diagnosed

[Cook1e]

Hi, new to the Forum and this is my first post.

I was diagnosed with type 2 earlier this month, I am on blood pressure medication and have an annual blood test which picked up raised blood sugar levels for the first time this year. Within a year my level had gone from normal (whatever that is) to a reading of 102. The Doctor was unsure if it was a lab testing glitch so re-tested and it came back as 99 so confirmed I have type 2. She put me on Metformin straight away.

I already have a fairly healthy diet and eat quite a bit of fruit and veg, I usually meet or exceed my 5 a day although I do like my red meat and the odd takeaway so will look to cut these down. I also cut down on my drinking 18 months ago as I had some liver issues, this resulted in me losing 2 1/2 stone so my weight is now not too over the top now ( I was definitely obese before I cut down on the booze)... I was drinking far too much before, probably 40 units a week, I now keep tabs and am averaging under 12 units a week now. On my last blood test my liver count had returned to almost normal so I think I've done well although I do still like my real ale!

I was drinking a lot of fruit juice (to replace alcohol) before I was diagnosed so have cut this out straight away. I've also started to try and get some light exercise in, walking and cycling. I'm not really a Gym or jogging type person TBH so this is probably a realistic exercise approach....

So I'm just embarking on my diabetic journey, hoping to get the sugar levels under control and possibly lose another stone over time. Good to know there is a pace I can go for advice from people in the same boat...

 

[urbanracer]

Hi, new to the Forum and this is my first post.

I was diagnosed with type 2 earlier this month, I am on blood pressure medication and have an annual blood test which picked up raised blood sugar levels for the first time this year. Within a year my level had gone from normal (whatever that is) to a reading of 102. The Doctor was unsure if it was a lab testing glitch so re-tested and it came back as 99 so confirmed I have type 2. She put me on Metformin straight away.

I already have a fairly healthy diet and eat quite a bit of fruit and veg, I usually meet or exceed my 5 a day although I do like my red meat and the odd takeaway so will look to cut these down. I also cut down on my drinking 18 months ago as I had some liver issues, this resulted in me losing 2 1/2 stone so my weight is now not too over the top now ( I was definitely obese before I cut down on the booze)... I was drinking far too much before, probably 40 units a week, I now keep tabs and am averaging under 12 units a week now. On my last blood test my liver count had returned to almost normal so I think I've done well although I do still like my real ale!

I was drinking a lot of fruit juice (to replace alcohol) before I was diagnosed so have cut this out straight away. I've also started to try and get some light exercise in, walking and cycling. I'm not really a Gym or jogging type person TBH so this is probably a realistic exercise approach....

So I'm just embarking on my diabetic journey, hoping to get the sugar levels under control and possibly lose another stone over time. Good to know there is a pace I can go for advice from people in the same boat...

Welcome to the forums @Cook1e ,

Let's ask @daisy1 to send you a starters pack. You can also find more information by clicking in the links of any moderator's signature.

Stick with us, we'll get you sorted. Good luck.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi, new to the Forum and this is my first post.

I was diagnosed with type 2 earlier this month, I am on blood pressure medication and have an annual blood test which picked up raised blood sugar levels for the first time this year. Within a year my level had gone from normal (whatever that is) to a reading of 102. The Doctor was unsure if it was a lab testing glitch so re-tested and it came back as 99 so confirmed I have type 2. She put me on Metformin straight away.

I already have a fairly healthy diet and eat quite a bit of fruit and veg, I usually meet or exceed my 5 a day although I do like my red meat and the odd takeaway so will look to cut these down. I also cut down on my drinking 18 months ago as I had some liver issues, this resulted in me losing 2 1/2 stone so my weight is now not too over the top now ( I was definitely obese before I cut down on the booze)... I was drinking far too much before, probably 40 units a week, I now keep tabs and am averaging under 12 units a week now. On my last blood test my liver count had returned to almost normal so I think I've done well although I do still like my real ale!

I was drinking a lot of fruit juice (to replace alcohol) before I was diagnosed so have cut this out straight away. I've also started to try and get some light exercise in, walking and cycling. I'm not really a Gym or jogging type person TBH so this is probably a realistic exercise approach....

So I'm just embarking on my diabetic journey, hoping to get the sugar levels under control and possibly lose another stone over time. Good to know there is a pace I can go for advice from people in the same boat...

Hi and welcome,

If I had a pound for every newcomer who says they already eat a healthy diet, I would be a rich woman.
What is healthy for non-diabetics is not necessarily healthy for diabetics I'm afraid. It is likely you will need to examine your current diet and make some changes. The best thing is to look at your carb intake, especially bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and breakfast cereals. We also need to be careful with fruit.

Good to see you have cut out the fruit juice. That is a good start, plus the extra exercise. As for the red meat - nothing wrong with that if you aren't a vegetarian! And as to the alcohol, beer is very unwise for blood sugar reasons and also weight reasons, but the good news is a glass of red wine, dry white, or most spirits is fine, all in moderation.

Have a good read of Daisy's post when she arrives, and meanwhile read round the forums to see how we are all managing and what we do. Good luck on your journey - keep posting, and ask any questions you like.

 

[Freema]

welcome here Cook1e, seems you have chosen a fine strategy, and if you also count you numbers of grams of carbs you eat daily and get this down to under 100 grams you will probably gain total control again and together with excercising you will soon get your better self back again...it is such a joy feel younger and look better again...

 

[Cook1e]

Thanks for the welcome all

 

[daisy1]

@Cook1e

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 need to and someone will 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 235,000 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

Reduce your 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

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

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.