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worried about levels

K

kazzie69

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I have recently diagnosed with t2 diabetes. When I had my original blood tests my hba1c were 8.1 & 8.4 respectively. I was bought a SDCODEFREE monitor for Christmas. I started using it today my reading this morning was 89 but since around lunch time it has jumped between 200 & 239mg/do (?) Using your conversation table it says I am hyper. I have been very tired and have all systems of a hyper. What do I need to do?
 
Is there a way to change the units so we understand them more easily? When did you test at lunch - before or after?

You need to test on waking, then before a meal, an hour after to see how much that food has spiked you, then again at 2 hours to see if bg has normalised.

Do you eat a lot of carbs?

We need some context around your readings to have a stab at what's going on...x
 
Hi thanks for your reply. There is no way to change the way the units are displayed. It is supposed to be set for the country (uk). On the diabetes.co.uk website it converts from mg/dL to mmols when converted it translates to 13.3 mmols.
I tested at the correct times on waking, before lunch and 3 hrs after my meal. I don't think I eat a lot of carbs today I had a skinless chicken salad.
 
Hi and welcome @kazzie69

The units for the HbA1c come in 2 types (old and new) and then the UK and the US use different units for home blood testing meters too.

I believe this is the table you want to translate your numbers:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
kazzie69 said:
Hi thanks for your reply. There is no way to change the way the units are displayed. It is supposed to be set for the country (uk). On the diabetes.co.uk website it converts from mg/dL to mmols when converted it translates to 13.3 mmols.
I tested at the correct times on waking, before lunch and 3 hrs after my meal. I don't think I eat a lot of carbs today I had a skinless chicken salad.
Click to expand...

Personally I wouldn't bother testing 3 hours after a meal as it isn't reliable.

The only way to know what carbs you're eating it to measure them. It's a right pain to start with but once you know you'll never have to do it again. I was shocked at how carby my salads used to be lol!!

It's all trial and error. But a very interesting journey....x
 
Debmcgee said:
Personally I wouldn't bother testing 3 hours after a meal as it isn't reliable.

The only way to know what carbs you're eating it to measure them. It's a right pain to start with but once you know you'll never have to do it again. I was shocked at how carby my salads used to be lol!!

It's all trial and error. But a very interesting journey....x
Click to expand...
OK thanks... at least I'm not in danger. I have just downloaded the cook book so will have fun with trying new things x
 
Have a look at some of the recipes on here - they're great! There's a thread too 'what have you eaten today' which is great for ideas too.

X
 
Hi. Those readings aren't too bad, but do need some action. You should really be testing 2 hours after a meal not 3. What meds are you on? What is your BMI and age? You are doing the right thing in having a low-carb diet. It may be that you should be started on Metformin which is worth discussing with the physician.
 
I have just started on metaformin (22nd Dec). Not due to see diabetic nurse for 2 more weeks. I am 47 and have no idea what my BMI is, I do admit that I am overweight. I don't know if I have done the right thing but I have just received tested my glucose levels and they are still well over the 200 range.
 
The UK uses mmol/l for home blood testing meters. A typical figure would be somewhere between 4 and 20 mmol/l
The US uses mg/dl, typically numbers like 80-300

I believe the conversion is to divide US figures by 18 to get UK figures.
So your 200 mg/dl = nearly 11mmol/l

That may seem high, and it is definitely higher than ideal, but a week or so of eating sensibly (reduced or controlled carb portions), and you will see those numbers reduce.
 
kazzie69 said:
Hi thanks for your reply. There is no way to change the way the units are displayed. It is supposed to be set for the country (uk). On the diabetes.co.uk website it converts from mg/dL to mmols when converted it translates to 13.3 mmols.
I tested at the correct times on waking, before lunch and 3 hrs after my meal. I don't think I eat a lot of carbs today I had a skinless chicken salad.
Click to expand...

@kazzie69 If you're in the UK could you swap it for the same meter in mmols? It might make it easier for you to compare your results with others here, and when you're discussing results with your doctor, etc.
 
kazzie69 said:
I have just started on metaformin (22nd Dec). Not due to see diabetic nurse for 2 more weeks. I am 47 and have no idea what my BMI is, I do admit that I am overweight. I don't know if I have done the right thing but I have just received tested my glucose levels and they are still well over the 200 range.
Click to expand...
Thanks. With the Metformin and low-carb diet your weight should come down and so will the blood sugar. If the Metformin gives you bowel problems do ask for the Slow Release (SR) version if it's available in your area.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum. Try not to worry too much about your BS levels as you have just been diagnosed and that is when your levels are at their highest. A good thread to look through is the low carb recipes, lots of yummy stuff in there. Have a good look around the forum and if you have any questions just ask. Hopefully they will swap the meter for you so it makes your life a little easier.
 
Kazzie, no shame allowed on this forum;). Good advice so far (as usual) so don't worry , you've made a good start.
 
kazzie69 said:
Thanks for that my BMI is 35.3 I'm ashamed to say. My reading this morning was 9.4.
Click to expand...

Definitely no shame allowed! :D
Until you knew what was going on (diagnosis, testing, understanding the effect of carbs) there is no way you were equiped to cope, or to fight this.

Knowledge is power. :)
 
lol mines higher if it makes you feel better!!! We all have to start somewhere x
 
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