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NEWBIE

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Hippychick99

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello

I’m new here and just want to introduce myself. My name is Lirraine I’m 59 years old and live in Glasgow.
I was diagnosed about 6 months ago and still learning about diabetes. I think I was in denial at the beginning. I’m more positive now and I know that I need to approach it in a different way. I was just looking at the future symptoms and getting down, but it doesn’t have to be like that.
I’m glad I found this page and look forward to learning more.

Lirraine
 
Hi thank you so much.
I’m stilled confused between HbA1c what does it mean and my doctor told me I was 51 today but some people are measuring g %x also the blood sugar test mine was at 27 now at at between 10/11x
What do we need to get the levels down to be able to come off medication?
Thank for all your help
Lirraine x
 
Hippychick99 said:
I’m stilled confused between HbA1c what does it mean and my doctor told me I was 51 today but some people are measuring g %x
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It's just different units: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/hba1c
Hippychick99 said:
also the blood sugar test mine was at 27 now at at between 10/11x
Click to expand...
Normal (and recommended) levels would be 4-7 before meals, rising to above that after eating (sometimes over 10, though that's uncommon in people without diabetes (might happen for particular kinds of foods, for example)). Aim for single figures, anyway.
 
For HbA1c with the units used in the UK

Up to 41 is normal
42-47 is "pre-diabetic"
48+ is diabetic

So at 51 you are a little way into diabetic but not excessively high.

If you want to put your diabetes into remission (come off medication) then you will need to reduce your insulin resistance. The generally accepted way to do that is to lose some weight (15kg or 15% of current weight if you are classed as obese, maybe not so much if you are towards the high end of normal weight or slightly overweight) - there were studies into this.

The other way is to eat less carbohydrates and therefore give your body less work dealing with glucose intake (almost all carbohydrates are broken down in the body into glucose). Some combine the two methods and eat a low carbohydrate diet while also losing weight. Whether this is enough to be able to come off medication if you reduce carbohydrates without losing weight can vary between individuals.
 
What medication are you on Lirraine? I forgot to ask that in my first message! Some medications you can eat lower carbohydrates than others
 
Sophie DUK said:
Welcome @Hippychick99 🙂 Lovely to meet you. Glad you're feeling more positive. I totally understand that seeing symptoms can be overwhelming. Definitely ask questions here, we're a lovely bunch! Is there anything you're looking to learn more about in particular?
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Hello Sophie,
Thank you that’s very kind of you. Lovely to meet you too. Yes was confusing regarding the HbA1c
it’s just a lot of information to digest. My HbA1c was 91 now it’s 51. Some people were saying it in % think that were I was confused. Really just to know what is normal.
Thanks again
 
Hippychick99 said:
Hello
I’m in metformin, oxempic and firxiga.
Thanks for your reply really appreciate that.
Click to expand...
OK. Ozempic and forxiga can both cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) so you shouldn't reduce carbohydrate intake too fast, or by too much overall while you are on those. In fact it might be best to talk to your GP or diabetic nurse about how much it is safe to reduce carbohydrates before considering that.

As far as I'm aware it is safe to reduce calories a bit while on them but again I would recommend you ask your own healthcare professionals (who have access to much more information about you as an individual and your health history than I do) if you want to try to lose weight more than may happen as a side effect of the medication. They may be able to advise you on how much you can safely reduce calories.
 
42istheanswer said:
OK. Ozempic and forxiga can both cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) so you shouldn't reduce carbohydrate intake too fast, or by too much overall while you are on those. In fact it might be best to talk to your GP or diabetic nurse about how much it is safe to reduce carbohydrates before considering that.

As far as I'm aware it is safe to reduce calories a bit while on them but again I would recommend you ask your own healthcare professionals (who have access to much more information about you as an individual and your health history than I do) if you want to try to lose weight more than may happen as a side effect of the medication. They may be able to advise you on how much you can safely reduce calories.
Click to expand...
I will check with my GP regarding this.
Thank you you’ve been most helpful
 
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