Needing advice !

[Jacinta (Australian)]

So I got my test results back today and it did come back that I failed my glucose and bloods not by much though anyways
I’m just over 2-3 mmol - I’m pretty sure it was 7 or something I’ll have to grab a copy from my doctor and the 10 mmol was 15mmol on the other 2 tests . , why do I need to do a calarie type thing ??? , my nurse wants to me to do this at 1500 calaries then working our way down even though I’m on a low carb diet how does this even work ????
Appranetly my HBA1c is 8.1 (sorry it didn’t give me a percentage) .
so I don’t know if that means I’m extremely deep in diabetes or I’m just in ????
And why would a doctor ask me to take metroform at night ??? Sorry I’m still taking it in from today .

 

[Piglet]

Please don't get confused by Carbohydrate (carbs) and Calories.They are two very different things. In order to loose weight. People reduce calories and burn more calories than they eat through activity. Carbs provide the fuel to keep you body functioning properly by providing the energy required. Carbs and calories work together to keep us healthy but too much of either or both leads to diabetes and the health issues.

As to HBa1c 8.1is a percentage ( anything with a . is a %) and is equivalent to 65. For a type 2 diagnoses in the UK the level is approx 45+ depending on where you live as different health authorities use a different level.

Metofrmin can be taken at different times but is usually taken with meals to encourage the body to use the insulin is is producing in a more effective way. Not sure about taking it at night but I'm sure someone on here will have an answer.

I hope this helps.
Piglet

 

[DaveB]

In my opinion Calories are pretty meaningless. They are a measure of energy and fine to measure energy output but not to measure energy input from food as each food group is metabolised in different ways by the body so not all food calories are equal. Personally I would just forget Calories and continue with the low carb diet. Have enough fats and proteins to keep you feeling full.

 

[Becka]

why do I need to do a calarie type thing ??? , my nurse wants to me to do this at 1500 calaries then working our way down even though I’m on a low carb diet how does this even work ????

You would need to ask the nurse. Normally calorie control is suggested for weight loss, but no one here can know the reason the nurse had for suggesting it as it will probably be based on your test results and medical history.

And why would a doctor ask me to take metroform at night ??? Sorry I’m still taking it in from today .

Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world and has been used for over fifty years to treat type 2 diabetes as it is cheap, safe, and effective. It increases the body's sensitivity to insulin so makes the insulin in your system more effective, which for type 2 helps overcome insulin resistance.

It is often taken in the morning and evening, depending on the dose, and is taken with a meal to avoid gastric effects. If you are only taking 500mg daily you would only take it once a day.

All medications have side effects and the main ones with Metformin are gastric ones, stomachache etc., if you have these they will usually go away after a a few weeks though this does not always happen. In which case there are modified release versions which release into your system more slowly, so the body is better able to tolerate them. If you still have problems then other medications will be considered.

 

[Leadinglights]

In my opinion Calories are pretty meaningless. They are a measure of energy and fine to measure energy output but not to measure energy input from food as each food group is metabolised in different ways by the body so not all food calories are equal. Personally I would just forget Calories and continue with the low carb diet. Have enough fats and proteins to keep you feeling full.

The way calories for foods is determined is not representative of what happens in the body. Historically it was determined by burning the food in a bomb calorimeter and the energy the food contained was released as heat and the amount of heat that raised the temperature of 1g of water by 1 degree Celsius was defined as 1 calorie. Now more likely done mathematically by some algorithm. I suspect most of the metrics used for food composition is no way absolute anyway, let alone how individuals metabolise foods.
I would stick with carbs rather than just calories.

 

[Drummer]

why do I need to do a calarie type thing ??? , my nurse wants to me to do this at 1500 calaries then working our way down even though I’m on a low carb diet how does this even work ????
Appranetly my HBA1c is 8.1 (sorry it didn’t give me a percentage) .
so I don’t know if that means I’m extremely deep in diabetes or I’m just in ????
And why would a doctor ask me to take metroform at night ??? Sorry I’m still taking it in from today .

I was put on reduced calorie diets which were lowered and lowered until I collapsed, but I never lost much weight as it was high carb - on low carb I lost weight without trying but it was considered 'an unhealthy loss' despite my looking like a ghost on the low calorie and fairly healthily pink on low carb.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry your appointment left you feeling confused @Jacinta (Australian)

Please don’t ever feel that you have ‘failed’. Though we sometimes refer to them as ‘tests’ this isn’t really a very helpful term, because it can bring those feelings of pass/fail.

These are really more ‘checks’ than ‘tests’. Their purpose is to provide information, and help you decide what to do next.

They aren’t a measure of your worth, or the specific challenges you face, or of the effort you are putting in, or anything else going on in your life. They are just numbers. Don’t let them accuse you or judge you 🙂

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

Please don't get confused by Carbohydrate (carbs) and Calories.They are two very different things. In order to loose weight. People reduce calories and burn more calories than they eat through activity. Carbs provide the fuel to keep you body functioning properly by providing the energy required. Carbs and calories work together to keep us healthy but too much of either or both leads to diabetes and the health issues.

As to HBa1c 8.1is a percentage ( anything with a . is a %) and is equivalent to 65. For a type 2 diagnoses in the UK the level is approx 45+ depending on where you live as different health authorities use a different level.

Metofrmin can be taken at different times but is usually taken with meals to encourage the body to use the insulin is is producing in a more effective way. Not sure about taking it at night but I'm sure someone on here will have an answer.

I hope this helps.
Piglet

Hello Piglet , Thankyou so very very much for responding , sorry for the late reply I logged out so I could gather all the information I got from my nurse Friday and try to make sense of it. , it still feels very unreal that I had to pinch myself to come back to reality . Ohh I understand you completely , so she basically starting me at 1500 and going down that way , but I have low carbs aswell. Is there any point in doing the calories one ??? Or should I stick to both ? Because the nurse pretty much said if I want a heavy meal (pasta) I can but with low carb that’s a tad hard when it’s high in carbs, I’m just stuck on what to do is all, I’ve explained everything to the nurse and doctor I’m on low carb but they are insisting calories aswell .

well my HBA1C test came back way lower then when my old doctors did the test the first time , my second time came at 8.1 then my first one came at 12% which I’m guessing my second number is more better ??? Sorry HBA1c. Still has me confused at times . Australian health system is confusing as hell .

Would it be visiable to try and convince my doctor to let me take it in the morning or evening instead of night time ??? Cause as I have been told the 2 main affects of that particular medication is naseaur and consitpation . I have ibs which can make me consitpated at anytime given.

Also my nurse basically told me cause we caught it early and I stick to what we are doing and seeing her every week then I shouldn’t have a problem .

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

In my opinion Calories are pretty meaningless. They are a measure of energy and fine to measure energy output but not to measure energy input from food as each food group is metabolised in different ways by the body so not all food calories are equal. Personally I would just forget Calories and continue with the low carb diet. Have enough fats and proteins to keep you feeling full.

Thankyou Daveb
I’m doing mostly low carb because most of the time I don’t want to snack in between meals at all and I don’t get how people can eat 1500 calorie a day , being on low carb has helped with everything , hardly snacking , eat breakfast then don’t eat til lunch time (12-1pm) then don’t want to eat til 5:30-6pm even with weight loss aswell .

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

You would need to ask the nurse. Normally calorie control is suggested for weight loss, but no one here can know the reason the nurse had for suggesting it as it will probably be based on your test results and medical history.



Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world and has been used for over fifty years to treat type 2 diabetes as it is cheap, safe, and effective. It increases the body's sensitivity to insulin so makes the insulin in your system more effective, which for type 2 helps overcome insulin resistance.

It is often taken in the morning and evening, depending on the dose, and is taken with a meal to avoid gastric effects. If you are only taking 500mg daily you would only take it once a day.

All medications have side effects and the main ones with Metformin are gastric ones, stomachache etc., if you have these they will usually go away after a a few weeks though this does not always happen. In which case there are modified release versions which release into your system more slowly, so the body is better able to tolerate them. If you still have problems then other medications will be considered.

I did mention I need to loose weight but I’m finding low carb is helping with that , so maybe they think I need to do a 1500 calorie aswell???

would it be best to ask my doctor to see if I can take it in the morning or evening instead of night ??? Thankyou so much for the explaination .

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

The way calories for foods is determined is not representative of what happens in the body. Historically it was determined by burning the food in a bomb calorimeter and the energy the food contained was released as heat and the amount of heat that raised the temperature of 1g of water by 1 degree Celsius was defined as 1 calorie. Now more likely done mathematically by some algorithm. I suspect most of the metrics used for food composition is no way absolute anyway, let alone how individuals metabolise foods.
I would stick with carbs rather than just calories.

I’m mostly sticking to low carbs then just calories at this point , as low carb has been helping me tremendously with weight and everything else .

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

I was put on reduced calorie diets which were lowered and lowered until I collapsed, but I never lost much weight as it was high carb - on low carb I lost weight without trying but it was considered 'an unhealthy loss' despite my looking like a ghost on the low calorie and fairly healthily pink on low carb.

Hey drummer how did you manage with a high calorie for food , are you able to help me by giving pointers??? Please , appranetly my starting point is 1500 , I don’t understand how to do it at this point, basically nurse said if I want a heavy spaghetti bol meal then I can but I told my nurse that’s hard when I’m on low carb as pasta is high carb . How am I suppose to do this and keep my nurse happy . I’ve explained everything to both doctor and nurse I’m on low carb which has been helping but they think calorie is the way to go . I don’t want to give up on a diet (low carb) which has been doing amazingly well with me on loosing weight . I been exercising and drinking 2 litres of water (that’s what the nurse wants) but yeah the calorie seems impossible especially at 1500 .

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

Sorry your appointment left you feeling confused @Jacinta (Australian)

Please don’t ever feel that you have ‘failed’. Though we sometimes refer to them as ‘tests’ this isn’t really a very helpful term, because it can bring those feelings of pass/fail.

These are really more ‘checks’ than ‘tests’. Their purpose is to provide information, and help you decide what to do next.

They aren’t a measure of your worth, or the specific challenges you face, or of the effort you are putting in, or anything else going on in your life. They are just numbers. Don’t let them accuse you or judge you 🙂

Thankyou so much for the uplifting words everydayupsanddowns , I really needed them . I’m so glad I found you guys on this forum . You guys are filled with knowledge and know how to explain everything and I Thankyou for that .

 

[Drummer]

Hey drummer how did you manage with a high calorie for food , are you able to help me by giving pointers??? Please , appranetly my starting point is 1500 , I don’t understand how to do it at this point, basically nurse said if I want a heavy spaghetti bol meal then I can but I told my nurse that’s hard when I’m on low carb as pasta is high carb . How am I suppose to do this and keep my nurse happy . I’ve explained everything to both doctor and nurse I’m on low carb which has been helping but they think calorie is the way to go . I don’t want to give up on a diet (low carb) which has been doing amazingly well with me on loosing weight . I been exercising and drinking 2 litres of water (that’s what the nurse wants) but yeah the calorie seems impossible especially at 1500 .

I just ate low carb - the calories were not important, I just ate what I felt I needed and lost weight.
The nurse has no idea of how it works - telling you you can eat a high carb spaghetti bolognaise simply shows that she is completely ignorant of how someone with type two works - or rather how their inability deal with carbohydrate affects their dietary needs.
I've had the same thing for about 45years, so it is not at all unusual to get bad advice about diet.
If you want a bolognaise then it is fine - but eat it with a low carb option - noodles made using a spiral cutter and courgette, or make a thin pancake of beaten egg with a little water, then roll and slice into strips.

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

I just ate low carb - the calories were not important, I just ate what I felt I needed and lost weight.
The nurse has no idea of how it works - telling you you can eat a high carb spaghetti bolognaise simply shows that she is completely ignorant of how someone with type two works - or rather how their inability deal with carbohydrate affects their dietary needs.
I've had the same thing for about 45years, so it is not at all unusual to get bad advice about diet.
If you want a bolognaise then it is fine - but eat it with a low carb option - noodles made using a spiral cutter and courgette, or make a thin pancake of beaten egg with a little water, then roll and slice into strips.

Thankyou so much drummer , I thought I was loosing my mind when she said having spaghetti with the Bolognase was mind blowing to be honest . Cause she also said there’s no substitute to pasta either ??? , I thought zucchini noodles (using the spiral cutter option ) was a substitute to it ? Well from what I’ve seen or heard it was . Cause I have now grown a loving to cauliflower rice and use that to go with a bolognaise so it’s low carb . I did retry pasta before I was officially diagnosed and it was a small amount like 4 pieces and I didn’t like it especially the texture . The pancake option also sounds really yummy . I also asked the nurse what she would recommend for low carb cook books and she said none , then she said here’s a website for all meal plans and shopping list . Don’t waste money on any cook books at all .

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds to me like your nurse doesn’t really support a lower carb approach @Jacinta (Australian) ?

I would imagine that the 1500 calorie limit is intended to support weight loss, but you seem to be meeting your weight loss goals with a lower carb plan.

Have you tried working out the calorie content of the low carb meals you are currently eating? I think there may be websites and/or apps that can help with this, but I’m afraid I don’t know which ones work well - Nutracheck or MyFitnesspal are names I’ve heard?

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

Sounds to me like your nurse doesn’t really support a lower carb approach @Jacinta (Australian) ?

I would imagine that the 1500 calorie limit is intended to support weight loss, but you seem to be meeting your weight loss goals with a lower carb plan.

Have you tried working out the calorie content of the low carb meals you are currently eating? I think there may be websites and/or apps that can help with this, but I’m afraid I don’t know which ones work well - Nutracheck or MyFitnesspal are names I’ve heard?

Hello everydayupsanddowns , it sure sounds like that way unfortnately , maybe I was to hopeful when it came to mentioning I’m doing a low carb diet to her , I did mention it to my doctor and said it’s all good for me just don’t go lower lower carb as it isn’t good and I promised her I wouldn’t . But also I think my doctor somehow misunderstood me at the same time cause she even said calories But answered my question about low carb .
I use Nutracheck at the moment aswell as my easy diary plan one which also does carbs . I was looking into buying the cal and carb book but here in Aussie it’s like $45 so I’m seeing if Amazon might be nice enough to do a deal and lower the price on it . As bad as this sounds but I’m going to stick with my low carb as I feel that will help me out more then this calorie they want me to do . I will again let them both know about it even if I’m going to pull my hair out trying to get them to understand . As long as I do everything right I should be okay .

 

[Leadinglights]

It is a shame that the Carbs and Cals is almost twice the price in Aus, $38 whereas in the UK it £15 or less.
I don't think it sounds bad to follow something that is working for you, I think the reason they often are saying low calorie is that they are thinking you need to keep to low fat in order to lose the weight but as many doctors are now accepting (not enough however) keeping to low carb is much more effective for a lot of people. I think there is conflict and confusion between the losing weight if non diabetic and losing weight if diabetic. The low calorie approach may well work for the non diabetic but carbohydrates are going to do no favours for managing diabetes.
If you keep to your low carb but also work out the calories then you have something which you can show as proof that your approach is working for you, which it obviously has done in seeing the reduction in your HbA1C.
Perhaps you could suggest your nurse looks at this site and some of the research about the successes of low carb approach although that might go down like a lead balloon so tread carefully.

 

[Jacinta (Australian)]

It is a shame that the Carbs and Cals is almost twice the price in Aus, $38 whereas in the UK it £15 or less.
I don't think it sounds bad to follow something that is working for you, I think the reason they often are saying low calorie is that they are thinking you need to keep to low fat in order to lose the weight but as many doctors are now accepting (not enough however) keeping to low carb is much more effective for a lot of people. I think there is conflict and confusion between the losing weight if non diabetic and losing weight if diabetic. The low calorie approach may well work for the non diabetic but carbohydrates are going to do no favours for managing diabetes.
If you keep to your low carb but also work out the calories then you have something which you can show as proof that your approach is working for you, which it obviously has done in seeing the reduction in your HbA1C.
Perhaps you could suggest your nurse looks at this site and some of the research about the successes of low carb approach although that might go down like a lead balloon so tread carefully.

I still would love to buy it if I can but I’ll have to wait for it to go down in price , as the book seems really helpful . Yes Unfortnately Australia has always been on the expensive side of things compared to uk or anywhere else .

I totally agree with you here , ill defianetly gather all the information possible about low carb like numbers and how its giving me a much lower HBA1c then when I got first tested . I’m hoping this way it will make them realise low carb is more useful then Calorie diet . To be honest i was skeptical about low carb but since being on it for 7 or so weeks and seen improvements ill defianetly be sticking to it. I was hoping when i said I want to loose weight and me saying im on low carb they weren’t going to mention calories diet at all and help with the low carb , but unfortnately as you said not everyone execpts the fact low carb is the way to go . Also I believe there is a line where you know your body , you know what works for you and to sometimes not to listen to people who think they know what’s best when it’s completely the opposite , it’s taken me ages to realise this as I thought the professionals (doctors and nurses) are suppose to be there for us, listen to us And go by what we say but for them to put another diet on us (calories ) isn’t really listening at all .

 

[mage 1]

You can get the carbs and Cals app which was a lot cheaper I don’t know whether you can get it in Australia but I got the book and I got the app