Why can I not get my readings down?

[Jacquid]

hello,

I was diagnosed two months ago, although I had gestational diabetes 20 years ago managed by diet. The high fibre granary bread etc diet that is now so unpopular. My blood test reading was 98 and I was given 2 metformin a day, and vague advice to cut carbs. I have no more than 80g of carbs a day, but I get a weekly reading on a friends meter, and it is never below 17. After two months, it has risen to 19. What am I doing wrong? I tried Atkins for the first week, but crashed my car, not sure I can do any less than about 60g. I feel just awful, can't swallow, can hardly see, am night blind, have lost feeling in my fingers and desperately want to improve. I'm not overweight, I've lost three stone over the last two years without trying, probably due to diabetes but unknown at the time. Can anyone suggest anything I can do?

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi and welcome,

Your unexplained weight loss and you ever increasing high numbers even with low carb lead me to think you may be T1 and not T2. I suggest you visit your doctor and ask for the relevant tests - C-peptide and GAD. This may solve all your problems. There are many members of this forum that were incorrectly diagnosed as T2 because GPs don't realise adults are just as likely to become T1 as young folk, and most GPs have very little knowledge of diabetes. It is known as LADA or late onset T1. I'm not trying to worry you, but I think it is your best course of action.

 

[Resurgam]

You really need to be able to tell how foods affect you - so getting hold of a meter which has moderately priced test strips is probably going to be the place to start.
Usually removing the high carb foods will make a big difference, things such as cereals for breakfast, grains, bread, potatoes, porridge, sweet fruits, as they are all the usual suspects when blood glucose is high.
Have low carb foods, salads and veges, berries are usually OK in small amounts eaten with cream, but you do need to weigh and measure. I aimed to have no more than a two whole number increase in BG levels between pre and 2 hours post meals. That resulted in a drop in numbers overall and I am now able to eat a few more carbs.
If you can eat to your meter and see the numbers becoming normal it is a great incentive to keep working on the process of recovery.
Night blindness can be a symptom of cataracts or Vitamin A deficiency but your symptoms are all things which ought to be referred to a doctor. Have you had tests to determine the type of diabetes you have? Often type 2 is assumed, and it can take time and trouble to have it fully and correctly diagnosed.

 

[gowlanj]

I had the same problem of not being able to reduce my sugars to begin with and it wasn't until I realised I was eating too many carbs in the form of root vegetables (which I assumed to be ok), that I was able to make some progress. What has worked for me is weighing and logging everything I put in my mouth and checking the carb content of every single thing. It's a huge faff and a drain on my time but it's really helping me to see the effect that different foods have on my sugars. Hope this helps.

 

[Jacquid]

Hi and welcome,

Your unexplained weight loss and you ever increasing high numbers even with low carb lead me to think you may be T1 and not T2. I suggest you visit your doctor and ask for the relevant tests - C-peptide and GAD. This may solve all your problems. There are many members of this forum that were incorrectly diagnosed as T2 because GPs don't realise adults are just as likely to become T1 as young folk, and most GPs have very little knowledge of diabetes. It is known as LADA or late onset T1. I'm not trying to worry you, but I think it is your best course of action.

Thank you, I will do as you suggest, I am due back to my Gp next week.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Thank you, I will do as you suggest, I am due back to my Gp next week.

You may get some opposition, so you need to press hard.

 

[Jacquid]

You really need to be able to tell how foods affect you - so getting hold of a meter which has moderately priced test strips is probably going to be the place to start.
Usually removing the high carb foods will make a big difference, things such as cereals for breakfast, grains, bread, potatoes, porridge, sweet fruits, as they are all the usual suspects when blood glucose is high.
Have low carb foods, salads and veges, berries are usually OK in small amounts eaten with cream, but you do need to weigh and measure. I aimed to have no more than a two whole number increase in BG levels between pre and 2 hours post meals. That resulted in a drop in numbers overall and I am now able to eat a few more carbs.
If you can eat to your meter and see the numbers becoming normal it is a great incentive to keep working on the process of recovery.
Night blindness can be a symptom of cataracts or Vitamin A deficiency but your symptoms are all things which ought to be referred to a doctor. Have you had tests to determine the type of diabetes you have? Often type 2 is assumed, and it can take time and trouble to have it fully and correctly diagnosed.

Thanks for your reply. My gp has referred me to the diabetic team locally, hopefully they may suggest a meter, but if not I will buy one myself, you are right it is hard not knowing how foods affect you meal by meal. I have cut out most of these foods and am eating very little of anything, that is why I am quite disappointed that it had no effect. I have eye screening in a week too.

 

[CUNNINGHAMMARTIN]

hello,

I was diagnosed two months ago, although I had gestational diabetes 20 years ago managed by diet. The high fibre granary bread etc diet that is now so unpopular. My blood test reading was 98 and I was given 2 metformin a day, and vague advice to cut carbs. I have no more than 80g of carbs a day, but I get a weekly reading on a friends meter, and it is never below 17. After two months, it has risen to 19. What am I doing wrong? I tried Atkins for the first week, but crashed my car, not sure I can do any less than about 60g. I feel just awful, can't swallow, can hardly see, am night blind, have lost feeling in my fingers and desperately want to improve. I'm not overweight, I've lost three stone over the last two years without trying, probably due to diabetes but unknown at the time. Can anyone suggest anything I can do?

Hi you are not alone I have the same problem I have an appointment at my local diabetic clinic on friday will let you know what they say

 

[JenniB]

hello,

I was diagnosed two months ago, although I had gestational diabetes 20 years ago managed by diet. The high fibre granary bread etc diet that is now so unpopular. My blood test reading was 98 and I was given 2 metformin a day, and vague advice to cut carbs. I have no more than 80g of carbs a day, but I get a weekly reading on a friends meter, and it is never below 17. After two months, it has risen to 19. What am I doing wrong? I tried Atkins for the first week, but crashed my car, not sure I can do any less than about 60g. I feel just awful, can't swallow, can hardly see, am night blind, have lost feeling in my fingers and desperately want to improve. I'm not overweight, I've lost three stone over the last two years without trying, probably due to diabetes but unknown at the time. Can anyone suggest anything I can do?

 

[JenniB]

Hello. Have you been on the 'Expert' course? Your surgery will have contact details. It is entirely FREE and run by diabetis specialist nurses and it is a wealth on information - it is brilliant. My surgery was about as useless as yours when I was diagnosed - I was referred to 'google' as they had no information leaflets or info/advice on diabetis! I found out about the course (all areas run them) by talking to a woman in a coffee shop and immediately asked surgery for contact phone number for the course. I had to wait 3 months for a space on the course but no regrets - I now feel more in control and knowledgeable. My heart is with you - take care.

 

[johnnyxs]

I am surprised that you were not given Glicazide ?
I was diagnosed with a blood glucose level of 38mmol/L and put on 120mg twice daily immediately by my GP.

Within 12 days my fasting BS levels plummeted down to single figures ! and after 15 days my fasting BS levels were 7.5mmol/L !
Within 3x weeks my Fasting levels were consistently around 4-6 mmol/L at which point I reduced my Glicazide to 40mg twice daily

Glicazide works by increasing the amount of Insulin your Pancreas produces which helps bring your blood glucose level down .

Metformin works in a different way by decreasing blood glucose production by the Liver and increasing Insulin sensitivity. it also reduces intestinal absorbtion from the gut.

I was prescribed Metformin by a Diabetic Nurse several weeks later without consulting my GP. After reading the guidelines I decided not to take the Metformin because it clearly states 'do not take if you have Liver or Kidney problems' ( I had a long standing Liver condition)

I decided to take responsibility for my own health I reduced my Glicazide down to 80mg a day and subsequently after 3 months I quit taking the Glicazide altogether when my fasting BS levels were consistently around 5.6mmo/L

I shouldn't worry too much about your blurred vision .Your retinal scan will show any potential issues which should resolve once you have your blood glucose levels down to single fiures again. My vision suddenly went very blurred overnight 3x weeks after initial diagnosis but it recovered gradually over the following 2-3 weeks . Its very disconcerting suddenly not to be able to see anything clearly.

Foodwise I received no advice whatsoever so I cut out all sugar as far as I could and mainly ate boiled eggs , cheese, porridge, steak and kidney pies, sausages etc ,I never felt hungry .You shouldn't starve yourself just eat sensibly afterall once you get your levels down whatever you eat will have to become your lifestyle so you might as well start a healthy balanced diet that you can stick to now .

 

[CUNNINGHAMMARTIN]

Hi as promised the answer I got from the doctor is I should be on insulin,I'm somewhat confused now

 

[lizdeluz]

Confusing times, yes, but now, hopefully, you will get lower blood sugars and help with using insulin, AND start to feel better!

 

[Jacquid]

Hi you are not alone I have the same problem I have an appointment at my local diabetic clinic on friday will let you know what they say

Thanks. My doctor did another blood test and I had dropped to94. He's upped the metformin and referred me to the diabetic nurse as he agrees with my carb reduction it should have been lower.

 

[Jacquid]

Hi and welcome,

Your unexplained weight loss and you ever increasing high numbers even with low carb lead me to think you may be T1 and not T2. I suggest you visit your doctor and ask for the relevant tests - C-peptide and GAD. This may solve all your problems. There are many members of this forum that were incorrectly diagnosed as T2 because GPs don't realise adults are just as likely to become T1 as young folk, and most GPs have very little knowledge of diabetes. It is known as LADA or late onset T1. I'm not trying to worry you, but I think it is your best course of action.

My go told me that there isn't a test for type one and is referring me to the diabetic nurse. Let's hope I get more there. Still 94 on my last hbd1a test, so come down slightly.

 

[Bluetit1802]

My go told me that there isn't a test for type one and is referring me to the diabetic nurse. Let's hope I get more there. Still 94 on my last hbd1a test, so come down slightly.

How ridiculous!!!! Of course there are tests for Type 1. They are called the C-Peptide test and the GAD test. Even I know this and I'm neither a doctor nor a Type 1. Your doctor needs re-training. I suggest you really push for these tests so you have a chance of getting the correct treatment. You are showing classic symptoms of T1 and your current medication plus a low carb diet is clearly not working. Let's hope the diabetes nurse has more idea. Please push for these tests. Your HbA1c is far too high but could be brought down with correct medication.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/c-peptide-test.html

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/gad-antibody-test.html

 

[catapillar]

Actually, there isn't a test for type 1. A cpeptide test just tells you whether or not you are making insulin, if you're not, it doesn't tell you why you're not. A cpeptide test doesn't determine what type of diabetes you have. A GAD test is a test for the antibodies associated with autoimmune type 1 diabetes, if you are diabetic and GAD positive, you are type 1. But if you are GAD negative that doesn't mean you aren't type 1, about 25% of type 1 diabetics are gad negative. So a GAD test only gives a determinative answer if it's positive.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as "these are the tests for type 1". A cpeptide test and a gad test are used to help in determining types of diabetes, but they aren't tests for type 1, because there isn't one. If you go to a GP asking to be tested for type 1 diabetes I can understand why a GP would say there isn't a test for that.

 

[Chook]

Actually, there isn't a test for type 1. A cpeptide test just tells you whether or not you are making insulin, if you're not, it doesn't tell you why you're not. A cpeptide test doesn't determine what type of diabetes you have. A GAD test is a test for the antibodies associated with autoimmune type 1 diabetes, if you are diabetic and GAD positive, you are type 1. But if you are GAD negative that doesn't mean you aren't type 1, about 25% of type 1 diabetics are gad negative. So a GAD test only gives a determinative answer if it's positive.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as "these are the tests for type 1". A cpeptide test and a gad test are used to help in determining types of diabetes, but they aren't tests for type 1, because there isn't one. If you go to a GP asking to be tested for type 1 diabetes I can understand why a GP would say there isn't a test for that.

Thank you for that - I learned something tonight.

 

[Jacquid]

How ridiculous!!!! Of course there are tests for Type 1. They are called the C-Peptide test and the GAD test. Even I know this and I'm neither a doctor nor a Type 1. Your doctor needs re-training. I suggest you really push for these tests so you have a chance of getting the correct treatment. You are showing classic symptoms of T1 and your current medication plus a low carb diet is clearly not working. Let's hope the diabetes nurse has more idea. Please push for these tests. Your HbA1c is far too high but could be brought down with correct medication.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/c-peptide-test.html

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/gad-antibody-test.html

Thanks so much, I only have two more weeks to wait to see the diabetic nurse, it has felt like forever! I will note down these test names and ask for them. I have noticed that you have to ask for everything, very little is offered or suggested. I don't know what I would have done without you guys and this site, these high levels are just always on my mind as a worry.

 

[azure]

Very true @Jacquid Often we have to push to get what we need.

Good luck - and keep pushing (politely, of course)