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T2d

noodl3s

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Im newly diagnosed 3 months now in that time my hb has come down from 53 to 52 ive lost over a stone in weight cutting all carbs out of my diet now ive been informed i need metformin to kick start insulin ......what else can i do to reduce hb levels "help" appreciated
Remembering im disabled in other ways tia x

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I would have said that you should cut carbs but you say you have already done that. Cutting out all carbs and yet getting an Hba1c of 52 raises an eyebrow. Are you certain that something you eat or drink isn't carby. I know of several foods that pretend to be something they are not such as kievs, goujon, nuggets, dippers, fish cakes and fingers and some sausages. If you have covered all that then maybe you need the drugs. Sorry not to be more helpful.
 
On the proviso that you will be one of the majority who can take Metformin without suffering the known side effects, I would say you should follow that path.

It is a safe and effective drug, that alongside a low carb diet, should improve your Insulin sensitivity, and in time your A1c level.

I took Metformin for about 5 months when first diagnosed, and I think it was a reason my levels improved so quickly.
 
All of the above two posts.... hidden carbs? beware breaded coatings some are just about okay but Sainburys coated fish sends my BGL above 10 for hours.

After the first couple of weeks for most people Metformin has no real downside. Some people can't get on with it (in standard form) but a proportion of people who do report side-effects either get side effects because they are started on too high a dose or get themselves into a tizzy because they read of other people having side effects to varying degrees. If the the standard version causes you problems you can always try the slow release.

Metformin has recently touted as a possible wonder drug for "normal" non-betics to increase life span -- pinch of salt Sir?
 
I shall retread this story from when I first was issued with a meter. I tested high after eating chicken kievs and casually mentioned it to DN. "It's the bread crumbs" she said. I doubted her and made my own kievs and they did not spike me. I had put bread crumbs on so something else must have been different. The chicken was suspect and I must say the shop bought one looked odd when cut, a bit like a sponge.

About that time the BBC ran a food program and the first thing they investigated was kievs. They went to the factory in Kiev and took the tour. Kievs seemed to be made of minced chicken and other things. The factory was asked how many kievs they got from one breast and the answer was six. There must have been a lot of filler. Rusk or just flour is used for bulk in many foods and I assume kievs are made with it. I now regard a kiev as cake.

Having then discovered that two goujon put me over 11 I assume they are similar, we just assume they are chicken for some reason.
 
Hi @noodl3s

Have you got a glucose meter? If not, I suggest very strongly that you buy one. You can then test out your meals. Testing before you eat and a couple of hours after you start to eat will tell you if that meal had too many carbs in it. Keep a food diary, record your levels alongside, and look for patterns. The rise from before to after should be no more than 2mmol/l, preferably less than 1.5mmol/l. More than that and you need to either eliminate or reduce some of the carbs.

Metformin is a good, safe drug, but it will not work on your pancreas or insulin. It works on the liver to help reduce the amount of glucose your liver produces naturally. It has no effect on any post meal rises. I don't know why your doctor said it will kick start your insulin. Accept the Metformin, but diet is the key, not Metformin.
 
Hi @noodl3s - A lot of forum members follow the LCHF Diet - it helps in lowering HBA1C and Blood Sugar and also weight loss. Have a read on here:
http://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/60-seconds and if you go to the top of the page and click on Forums, scroll down until you come to the heading FOOD and NUTRITION there you will see an assortment of diets, just click on and have a read through them, you might get some ideas.
 
Thx so much

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Hi. I would certainly start the Metformin. It doesn't 'kick-start' your insulin but reduces insulin resistance in the muscle cells and also reduces the liver's glycogen output a bit. Let us know if you are quite slim.
 
@noodl3s - What numbers are you getting? And have you started the Metformin?
 
@noodl3s - They are not bad numbers Metformin takes time to build up in your system, try not to take it on an empty stomach as it will cause you stomach upset. Always take it with OR after food and drink plenty of water. The more water you drink the better, it helps to flush out your system and stabilize the glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream.
 
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