Diagnosed T2 last week, no meds or testing, but repeat blood test in 3 months with diabetic nurse. Is this a normal process. Read other threads on here where after diagnosis people are put straight onto medication and testing. I need to lose about 3 stones and my last blood test was 60. Feeling a bit isolated at the moment, but starting to come to terms with it all.
Utterly confused
- Thread starter Ian13608
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Bluetit1802
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Hi @Ian13608 and welcome to the forum,
Take heart that we were all confused when we were diagnosed. Take things slowly and learn as much as you can about diabetes and how to self-manage it, and things will become clearer.
Medication is only given if the doctor thinks it is necessary, depending on the results of your diagnostic tests. (This will have been an HbA1c and you need to know what your level was.) I have never taken any meds at all. I was diagnosed January 2014. Diet is the key, over and above medication. If your blood glucose levels deteriorate over the next 3 months medication will be considered, but in the meantime you need to try and control your levels by finding a suitable diet and maybe avoid medication completely.
As for testing, only those on insulin and strong drugs are prescribed testing equipment (unless they are very lucky) so we buy our own because testing is absolutely essential if we are to manage this condition. Testing can be expensive, so we tend to look for meters that have the cheapest testing strips as we use an awful lot of them. The 2 meters with the cheapest strips are the Codefree and the Tee2.
Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/
and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/
Pharmacies don't sell them. There are discount codes if you buy in bulk and don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free.
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
The Tee2 is here
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
Please have a good read round the forums and ask as many questions as you like.
Take heart that we were all confused when we were diagnosed. Take things slowly and learn as much as you can about diabetes and how to self-manage it, and things will become clearer.
Medication is only given if the doctor thinks it is necessary, depending on the results of your diagnostic tests. (This will have been an HbA1c and you need to know what your level was.) I have never taken any meds at all. I was diagnosed January 2014. Diet is the key, over and above medication. If your blood glucose levels deteriorate over the next 3 months medication will be considered, but in the meantime you need to try and control your levels by finding a suitable diet and maybe avoid medication completely.
As for testing, only those on insulin and strong drugs are prescribed testing equipment (unless they are very lucky) so we buy our own because testing is absolutely essential if we are to manage this condition. Testing can be expensive, so we tend to look for meters that have the cheapest testing strips as we use an awful lot of them. The 2 meters with the cheapest strips are the Codefree and the Tee2.
Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/
and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/
Pharmacies don't sell them. There are discount codes if you buy in bulk and don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free.
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
The Tee2 is here
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/
Please have a good read round the forums and ask as many questions as you like.
Thanks it's good to know. I guess it's just a case of getting over the initial shock, embarrassment and guilt and just getting on with it. Thanks again
Bluetit1802
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The only reason you feel embarrassed and guilty is because of the way the media portray Type 2 diabetes and you have fallen in the trap. This portrayal is wrong in so many ways and just inappropriate journalism. Take some deep breaths - THIS IS NOT YOUR FAULT, and you will soon come to realise this. You will also get over the shock, and the sooner you can start to make plans the better you will feel.
Your first plan should be to buy a meter.
Your second plan is to ask for a print out of your test results (not just the HbA1c). It is important you know where you are at the moment.
Your third plan is to learn all about the role of carbohydrate in raising blood sugar levels. All carbs convert to glucose once inside the system, including the so-called healthy ones. The worst carbs are bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals and anything made with flour. We also need to be careful with fruit and milk.
I'll tag @daisy1 who has an excellent introductory post to help you on your way.
daisy1
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- Cruelty towards animals.
@Ian13608
Hello Ian and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it helpful and useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to answer.
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:
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 Ian and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it helpful and useful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will be able to answer.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
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
It is quite a shock being diagnosed but the important thing to remember is hat it is not the end of the world. In fact in many ways it's quite the opposite.
When I was diagnosed back in March I had a B/S level of 23. Doctor said we want you to try and manage it by diet and excercise. It seemed absolutely daunting...but with the right frame of mind it's not.
I cut down hugely on carbs and sweet foods. Started to exercise ( even if it was only walking the,dogs)
My levels dropped to 16 and I could see the benefit of what I was doing.
Now 15 weeks later I've lost 3 stone ( almost) gone back to a gym and am feeling soooo much better in myself. I've had to buy new clothes because I've dropped 2 sizes. I'm fitter,more alert and generally feeling pretty good.
Reading today before lunch ...6.1.
However, word of warning. Because I had dropped such a lot in my levels I thought 'sod it' and had a beer and a burger for dinner. Blood level 2 hours later 9.5 !!!
So that has taught me a lesson. Getting low readings is great but you can never let up and must remain vigilant at all times.
Good luck and see it as a way to change your lifestyle for the better
It is quite a shock being diagnosed but the important thing to remember is hat it is not the end of the world. In fact in many ways it's quite the opposite.
When I was diagnosed back in March I had a B/S level of 23. Doctor said we want you to try and manage it by diet and excercise. It seemed absolutely daunting...but with the right frame of mind it's not.
I cut down hugely on carbs and sweet foods. Started to exercise ( even if it was only walking the,dogs)
My levels dropped to 16 and I could see the benefit of what I was doing.
Now 15 weeks later I've lost 3 stone ( almost) gone back to a gym and am feeling soooo much better in myself. I've had to buy new clothes because I've dropped 2 sizes. I'm fitter,more alert and generally feeling pretty good.
Reading today before lunch ...6.1.
However, word of warning. Because I had dropped such a lot in my levels I thought 'sod it' and had a beer and a burger for dinner. Blood level 2 hours later 9.5 !!!
So that has taught me a lesson. Getting low readings is great but you can never let up and must remain vigilant at all times.
Good luck and see it as a way to change your lifestyle for the better
