Type 2 To eat or not to eat?

[coby]

Hi everyone.
I was diagnosed with Type 2 last January, then sent on my way armed with Metformin to take three times per day but nothing else mentioned to me about what I should be doing to help myself.
Today ... 5 moinths later and no contact in between ... I have been told to go to be re-viewed.
I booked the blood test they asked me to have. That's tomorrow at 1pm, but then I've realised that no one said if I should eat as usual or not?
Upon initial diagnosis blood test I was told to fast.
Does anyone know if I am meant to fast all morning before this blood test please?
Thanks in anticipation

 

[Squire Fulwood]

Only if they are going to test your triglycerides and since they haven't mentioned it then it might be a good idea to fast anyway. I have the same trouble with my surgery. They tell you to fast and then they do not tell you when it isn't necessary. I have pointed out this problem but I get the "too difficult" signs.

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi everyone.
I was diagnosed with Type 2 last January, then sent on my way armed with Metformin to take three times per day but nothing else mentioned to me about what I should be doing to help myself.
Today ... 5 moinths later and no contact in between ... I have been told to go to be re-viewed.
I booked the blood test they asked me to have. That's tomorrow at 1pm, but then I've realised that no one said if I should eat as usual or not?
Upon initial diagnosis blood test I was told to fast.
Does anyone know if I am meant to fast all morning before this blood test please?
Thanks in anticipation

Without knowing exactly what tests you will be having run (it varies), it's impossible to say. I'd say you have a couple of choices:
- fast anyway, even though it's a very long fast, and that's not always ideal - again depending on the tests they're running
- call your surgery as soon as they open and find out.

That's unless you have the forms that you'll give to the person drawing the blood. If you have that, let us know and we can give you more of a steer.

 

[coby]

Without knowing exactly what tests you will be having run (it varies), it's impossible to say. I'd say you have a couple of choices:
- fast anyway, even though it's a very long fast, and that's not always ideal - again depending on the tests they're running
- call your surgery as soon as they open and find out.

That's unless you have the forms that you'll give to the person drawing the blood. If you have that, let us know and we can give you more of a steer.

No. I've only been given a bottle for a water sample to take an early morning sample,, and a slip of paper with appointment time on. They made a second appointment for two weeks time to see the diabetic nurse ( I didn't even know we had one!) My initial letter just says HCA blood test for diabetic monitoring?

 

[Bluetit1802]

Most surgeries now don't require fasting, even though it is sensible to fast if you are having the full cholesterol test. It isn't necessary for the HbA1c test.

 

[coby]

Most surgeries now don't require fasting, even though it is sensible to fast if you are having the full cholesterol test. It isn't necessary for the HbA1c test.

Is this what I'm having do you think? I'm really not at all knowledgeable on anything to do with diabetes I'm afraid!

 

[Bluetit1802]

Is this what I'm having do you think? I'm really not at all knowledgeable on anything to do with diabetes I'm afraid!

Yes, it will be. This is a blood test that measures your blood glucose levels over the previous 2 to 3 months. You probably already had one when you were diagnosed. Do ask tomorrow exactly which tests you are having, and also ask for a print out of the ones you had for diagnosis. When you see the nurse ask her for a print out of these latest tests. Without this information you are spitting in the wind. You need to know where you are starting from and then you can aim for something better. Please read round this forum, and especially read the main website from the home page. Learn as much as you can about diabetes. It is important. Meanwhile, I'll tag @daisy1 who will come with some excellent advice. Good luck tomorrow.

 

[Enclave]

My Drs say as I am diabetic I don't fast for blood tests ...

 

[Enclave]

All fasting blood tests are normally book for early morning .. As your blood test is for 1pm, I not expect it not to be wanting you to fast !!!!!

 

[coby]

Yes, it will be. This is a blood test that measures your blood glucose levels over the previous 2 to 3 months. You probably already had one when you were diagnosed. Do ask tomorrow exactly which tests you are having, and also ask for a print out of the ones you had for diagnosis. When you see the nurse ask her for a print out of these latest tests. Without this information you are spitting in the wind. You need to know where you are starting from and then you can aim for something better. Please read round this forum, and especially read the main website from the home page. Learn as much as you can about diabetes. It is important. Meanwhile, I'll tag @daisy1 who will come with some excellent advice. Good luck tomorrow.

Thank you.
I keep trying to make sense of posts on the forum but I get confused by all the numbers as I don't know what they all mean. I must be thick! It's like being in a foreign country!

 

[coby]

All fasting blood tests are normally book for early morning .. As your blood test is for 1pm, I not expect it not to be wanting you to fast !!!!!

It was the only time they could get me in, as the surgery is so busy right now and people taking holidays they said!

 

[Bluetit1802]

Thank you.
I keep trying to make sense of posts on the forum but I get confused by all the numbers as I don't know what they all mean. I must be thick! It's like being in a foreign country!

Just ask if you don't understand. People will always help you. We were all confused at first, so we understand what it is like. Also, there is a lot of information on the main website (from the Home button) so do have a good browse round. You'll get there in the end.

 

[coby]

My Drs say as I am diabetic I don't fast for blood tests ...

Maybe I should just have a light breakfast do you think? It will be before my usual lunch time as I eat lunch at around 1.30pm

 

[coby]

Just ask if you don't understand. People will always help you. We were all confused at first, so we understand what it is like. Also, there is a lot of information on the main website (from the Home button) so do have a good browse round. You'll get there in the end.

Oh I do hope so ... I hate not knowing what I'm doing or if I'm eating right or wrongly.

 

[Bluetit1802]

My Drs say as I am diabetic I don't fast for blood tests ...

If you have the full cholesterol test including triglycerides, you should fast even if the doctor says not to. Trig levels can be way out if you have recently eaten because they are floating about in your blood stream doing their job.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Maybe I should just have a light breakfast do you think? It will be before my usual lunch time as I eat lunch at around 1.30pm

That sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[noblehead]

Maybe I should just have a light breakfast do you think? It will be before my usual lunch time as I eat lunch at around 1.30pm

If they are doing a full lipid breakdown of your cholesterol make sure you tell them that you've had a light breakfast.

 

[coby]

If you have the full cholesterol test including triglycerides, you should fast even if the doctor says not to. Trig levels can be way out if you have recently eaten because they are floating about in your blood stream doing their job.

I don't know what 'trigs' are? I have never heard of them. I told you I'm thick and it's true.

 

[catherinecherub]

http://www.webmd.boots.com/cholesterol-management/guide/triglycerides
Triglycerides are the main form of fat in the body. When you think of fat developing and being stored in your hips or belly, you're thinking of triglycerides. Consider these things:

• The fat we eat exists in relatively huge molecules inside food. Triglycerides are the end product of digesting and breaking down these bulky fats.
• Any extra food we eat that's not used for activity right away - carbohydrates, fat, or protein - is also chemically converted into triglycerides.
• Triglycerides are then bundled together into globules. These are transported through the blood. Proteins (called lipoproteins) help transport these triglyceride blobs.
• The triglycerides are taken up by adipose (fat) cells, to be used for energy if food isn't available later- or during your next diet.

Triglycerides are measured using a common test called a lipid profile. It's the same blood test that checks "good" and "bad" cholesterol levels. Within the UK the NHShas now suggested people aged 40-74 have a vascular health check which will include a lipid profile.

Triglyceride levels are checked after an overnight fast. Fat from a meal or other parts of the meal that get converted into triglycerides can artificially raise the triglyceride levels on the test.

 

[coby]

http://www.webmd.boots.com/cholesterol-management/guide/triglycerides
Triglycerides are the main form of fat in the body. When you think of fat developing and being stored in your hips or belly, you're thinking of triglycerides. Consider these things:

• The fat we eat exists in relatively huge molecules inside food. Triglycerides are the end product of digesting and breaking down these bulky fats.
• Any extra food we eat that's not used for activity right away - carbohydrates, fat, or protein - is also chemically converted into triglycerides.
• Triglycerides are then bundled together into globules. These are transported through the blood. Proteins (called lipoproteins) help transport these triglyceride blobs.
• The triglycerides are taken up by adipose (fat) cells, to be used for energy if food isn't available later- or during your next diet.

Triglycerides are measured using a common test called a lipid profile. It's the same blood test that checks "good" and "bad" cholesterol levels. Within the UK the NHShas now suggested people aged 40-74 have a vascular health check which will include a lipid profile.

Triglyceride levels are checked after an overnight fast. Fat from a meal or other parts of the meal that get converted into triglycerides can artificially raise the triglyceride levels on the test.

Thank you for taking the time ( and the patience) to explain that to me. I am grateful. I only weigh 9st 6lbs so I am not overweight. I don't drink or smoke. The only thing I didn't do enough of was exercise, but I've been taking 40 minute brisk walks four nights per week. I have always eaten porridge for breakfast to which I add fresh blueberries. I've always drank green tea or decaffinated Earl Grey. I eat wholemeal bread ... just two small slices with tuna, or maybe two hard boiled eggs straight from the shell ... with no bread, or soup no bread for lunch. I eat brazil nuts .. four every day and have done fort years now. I have pro active milk only and also pro active spread if having toast. How can I be diabetic? I still cannot get my head around it. Nobody in my family has ever had this either.