Should I be requesting Metformin?

[RosemaryAnn]

Just signed up to this site, though have been observing from sidelines for 5 years.
Totally shocked to be diagnosed as T2 in late 2014, with Hb1ac of 55, and BMI of 27. Solely prescribed a statin, no Metformin.
Found LCHF on here, went down to Hb1ac of 42, and BMI of 24 over few months.
Erred off the path now, Hb1ac of 49 and BMI of 25 at annual review in March and was told that was fine, by the DN, in a phone chat.
Fast forward to last week, and talking to GP by phone on an unrelated problem, when he mentioned that with Hb1ac of 49, I should be looking at reducing it asap on a very restrictive diet to reverse my diabetes, due to vastly increased risk for T2 persons re Covid.
Surely it would be better to start me on Metformin, if he wants rapid results. Have put myself back on LCHF already, and reading lots on here again to motivate me.

 

[AloeSvea]

Hi @RosemaryAnn,

I agree with you re the metformin as the more obvious recommendation from a GP.

Anyway - re a restrictive diet - did your phone-GP suggest the Newcastle Diet because of covid? I find that very curious, as protecting you from covid is about boosting immunity really, and going on any kind of dramatic regimen is a shock to the system - we do them because we WANT that shock to the blood glucose regulation system, but doing it in order to help deal with a nasty virus? That I really don't get. (Very happy to be argued with and have it explained to me!)

Or is the restrictive diet the LCHF? I don't think of LCHF as restrictive, but that could because it's been my normal diet for so many years now, I think of it even, or at least the low-carb part of it, as the go-to for everyone with diabetes - how you go low-carb is absolutely one's own preference, but that is just my opinion.

If your GP was suggesting low-calorie, or portion control, as in not eating enough, during a lockdown, and in order to boost your immunity? Or - was it for weight control? That's just strange Lockdown/isolation-living thinking, I think.

Judging from what I have been watching on youtube, the whole lockdown/social distancing planet has been responding in very identifiable ways to these interesting times. And folks have mainly been talking about flocking to high-carb comfort food in droves.

If you are avoiding that by being LCHF - all the power to you! And that is very powerful indeed, with type two.

 

[Andy_Warlow]

For Me, Read the Diabetes code by Jason Fung. It help me get from a Hac1 of 82 down to 36 in 12 weeks.

 

[HSSS]

I think diet is a more immediate and powerful way to alter you readings than metformin that has limited effects.

Yes covid has extra risks for diabetes as many new threads today show. But good control ie in the 40’s is a mitigating factor. Yours is not frighteningly high and is within the boundaries as optimal in the reports issued today for risk mitigation. Personally I like to keep mine as close to “normal” levels as possible.

What “restrictive “ diet did they suggest? Opinion, experience and level of understanding frames language here remember Low carb really isn’t restrictive once you get used to it and is far far easier than low calorie and works better according to many recent studies for type 2 anyway.

 

[DCB 2]

The only thing I would add simple exercise will help as well. You do not need to go to a gym what I do since my gym is shut down is that I take a walk in the morning and evening. I have gotten my a1c from 6.2 (44 mmol/mol) to 5.2 (33 mmol/mol ) in in about months doing this and watch my carbs. You have to remember that A!C value is an average of blood sugar for 3 months. I just try to keep my daily readings as low as possible.

Best of Luck

 

[RosemaryAnn]

Many apologies.
Have re-read link sent to me by GP.. Said to look at diet doctor site, but LCHF section, after all, not Keto section. Will teach me to read messages properly before panicking.
Happy to cherrypick recipes from diet doc and also from recipe section of diabetes.co.uk on here.. Will really miss my usual homemade biscuits and cakes, so need to do lots of research re that. Unable do my own shopping for now, having to isolate due to age. Can't really expect daughter to trawl the supermarkets for less common baking ingredients for me, as she has her hands full with homeworking and children off school as well.
Have increased my exercise as well, but this is only limited to faster walking and longer distances overall. Will keep on trawling through this site for diabetic info and recipes., and testing to my meter to check my progress.

 

[HSSS]

Many apologies.
Have re-read link sent to me by GP.. Said to look at diet doctor site, but LCHF section, after all, not Keto section. Will teach me to read messages properly before panicking.
Happy to cherrypick recipes from diet doc and also from recipe section of diabetes.co.uk on here.. Will really miss my usual homemade biscuits and cakes, so need to do lots of research re that. Unable do my own shopping for now, having to isolate due to age. Can't really expect daughter to trawl the supermarkets for less common baking ingredients for me, as she has her hands full with homeworking and children off school as well.
Have increased my exercise as well, but this is only limited to faster walking and longer distances overall. Will keep on trawling through this site for diabetic info and recipes., and testing to my meter to check my progress.

Amazon is a good source for less common items.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Metformin would help a little bit but the LCHF diet is the most productive approach. If you can get your BMI back down nearer to 20 rather than 25 you should be fine. Yes, exercise always helps as well.

 

[Deleted member 475901]

From the research I've read so far diet for T2s is more effective at reducing risks from a covid infection. Hopefully you can get your BS down quickly again.

What in particular makes it hard to stay low carb? What are the triggers to eat extra carbs?
These were the keys for me to mostly stay within my carb limit, and I preplan for the stress eating by allowing myself an extra 10-15g of carbs on the bad days - with low carb treats in the freezer.

 

[DCB 2]

Many apologies.
Have re-read link sent to me by GP.. Said to look at diet doctor site, but LCHF section, after all, not Keto section. Will teach me to read messages properly before panicking.
Happy to cherrypick recipes from diet doc and also from recipe section of diabetes.co.uk on here.. Will really miss my usual homemade biscuits and cakes, so need to do lots of research re that. Unable do my own shopping for now, having to isolate due to age. Can't really expect daughter to trawl the supermarkets for less common baking ingredients for me, as she has her hands full with homeworking and children off school as well.
Have increased my exercise as well, but this is only limited to faster walking and longer distances overall. Will keep on trawling through this site for diabetic info and recipes., and testing to my meter to check my progress.

RosemaryAnn, once you gave your numbers under control, you can enjoy your usual homemade biscuits and cakes as occasional as a treat. Just keep the portions to a reasonable amount and plan to have them when you have a chance to take a walk afterwords.
For example I LOVE baked potato and chilli., I know it is strange combination, something left over from my college days, but when use a medium potato and take a good walk afterwards my numbers are good. If the numbers are still high I take another walk. I would recommend doing this once you have your numbers under control.

It takes a little planning but works for me

Good Luck

Dave

 

[KK123]

For example I LOVE baked potato and chilli., I know it is strange combination

Erm, it is not a strange combination DCB, what do you mean????? I have it regularly, yum!!!! I sometimes substitute the potato for chips & chilli as well. x

 

[Deleted member 475901]

RosemaryAnn, once you gave your numbers under control, you can enjoy your usual homemade biscuits and cakes as occasional as a treat. Just keep the portions to a reasonable amount and plan to have them when you have a chance to take a walk afterwords.
For example I LOVE baked potato and chilli., I know it is strange combination, something left over from my college days, but when use a medium potato and take a good walk afterwards my numbers are good. If the numbers are still high I take another walk. I would recommend doing this once you have your numbers under control.

This doesn't work for all of us. I still can't eat such high carb stuff.
But I make coconut flour or ground almond cake instead.

 

[Brunneria]

This doesn't work for all of us. I still can't eat such high carb stuff.
But I make coconut flour or ground almond cake instead.

yes. Totally agree.
And there are many, many keto cake, cookie and desert recipes so no need to stray into carby treats at all...

 

[DCB 2]

What ever works ............

 

[bulkbiker]

RosemaryAnn, once you gave your numbers under control, you can enjoy your usual homemade biscuits and cakes as occasional as a treat. Just keep the portions to a reasonable amount and plan to have them when you have a chance to take a walk afterwords.
For example I LOVE baked potato and chilli., I know it is strange combination, something left over from my college days, but when use a medium potato and take a good walk afterwards my numbers are good. If the numbers are still high I take another walk. I would recommend doing this once you have your numbers under control.

It takes a little planning but works for me

Good Luck

Dave

But wouldn't it be easier to just have the chilli and not the potato.. then you can take the walk for pure pleasure rather than a necessity?

 

[DCB 2]

But wouldn't it be easier to just have the chilli and not the potato.. then you can take the walk for pure pleasure rather than a necessity?

Yes it is true that would work, but when I rebel against my diet I have to have the potato. It is an occasional treat. I follow my diet to the letter 98 % of the time. I have to cheat at times just to fell like I have control of the situation. It is such a rare situation it is to treat. I will cheat when it gets to the point that the cravings are too much. The thing I will plan to mitigate the bad thing I did by walking it off. This only happens once a month. Once I cheated carbs are out of mind for another month I am just willing to pay the price when I cheat, with me I walk it off and plan for it.

 

[MrsA2]

Many apologies.
Have re-read link sent to me by GP.. Said to look at diet doctor site, but LCHF section, after all, not Keto section. Will teach me to read messages properly before panicking.
Happy to cherrypick recipes from diet doc and also from recipe section of diabetes.co.uk on here.. Will really miss my usual homemade biscuits and cakes, so need to do lots of research re that. Unable do my own shopping for now, having to isolate due to age. Can't really expect daughter to trawl the supermarkets for less common baking ingredients for me, as she has her hands full with homeworking and children off school as well.
Have increased my exercise as well, but this is only limited to faster walking and longer distances overall. Will keep on trawling through this site for diabetic info and recipes., and testing to my meter to check my progress.

Hi Rosemary
I am a baker and a giver too, but I have found it easier not to bake, at least while I get my levels under control. I'm a bit anti sweetners as I don't want to keep my sweet tooth . And after about 3 months of no sugar I don't crave or over eat anymore.
And the substitute flours cost a fortune. Better in my book to learn how to cook meals that I can eat. Cakes and biscuits (even if low carb) are essentially snacks and I am trying to live the rest of my life without, certainly not on a daily basis. Changing my food means changing my life and my habits too, including stopping baking.
It was hard not to bake at first, but now I cant even watch Bake Off as I see the food as so unhealthy and dangerous. I try savoury, flour free baking only. Crustless quiches (aka frittata etc), some mixes of eggs cheese nuts veg etc.
The twice I have done sweet baking (with the intention of giving product away) I spiked even just from the tasting and licking fingers. It really cant be part of my life any more.

 

[Robbity]

Many apologies.
Have re-read link sent to me by GP.. Said to look at diet doctor site, but LCHF section, after all, not Keto section. Will teach me to read messages properly before panicking.
Happy to cherrypick recipes from diet doc and also from recipe section of diabetes.co.uk on here.. Will really miss my usual homemade biscuits and cakes, so need to do lots of research re that. Unable do my own shopping for now, having to isolate due to age. Can't really expect daughter to trawl the supermarkets for less common baking ingredients for me...

Unless you go on a very strict ketogenic diet, it's basically a matter of degree - there's not a lot of difference between what you can eat on a slightly more generous ketogenic diet and the low end of a low carb one. IMO Diet Doctor has a fairly large overlap in their recipes, and many of their "keto" recipes that I've looked at and sometimes used are for me essentially just normal low carb food. All you are doing with both diets is cutting right down on carbohydrates as your main fuel/energy source to enable your body to (re)learn how to burn normal full fat food instead. And it's this change in your main fuel that will bring and (hopefully!) keep your glucose levels down to pre-diabetic/normal levels.

Eggs, butter, and nut flours/meal are all great and a completely acceptable part low carb diets,and if you want to carry on baking all you basically need to do is replace wheat flour with ground almonds or if you're picky - the more expensive and slightly finer almond meal - and sugar with alternative sweeteners such as erythritol/stevia which is often available under branded names (e.g Natvia, Truvia) in some main supermarkets. One of the first things I did once I got my basic diet sorted was to adapt my baking using these two alternative ingredients. But you can also then look at using other "flour" such as hazelnut, walnut, or pecan nut meal, coconut flour, etc - all again usually available from Amazon.