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Diagnosed and what next?

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
H

HullAngel

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello everyone.
A sign of the times we are in maybe.
Telephone call from nurse clinician to confirm type 2 diabetes, take metformin, cut back on carbs and sweet things, refer to living with diabetes clinic again this will be a telephone call. Blood test in two months. End of conversation. Then a text to say check Diabetes UK website. Thats me left to get on with it! I am sure there will be a lot of support from people here. Take care everyone
 
Hi HullAngel, welcome to the forum.

Sadly, your story is not unfamiliar as lots of people are given a diagnosis and just left to get on with things. Did they give you any details such as your HbA1c test results? It can help to track where you're starting from as you go along the journey to better health.

As you mentioned, cutting carbs and sugar is a good place to start however, its not always easy to know how to go about that in a way that doesn't result in hating meal times! The following pages on our site are a great place to start:

I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat?​

If you've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one of the first things you might be worried about is food. You’re likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks. Medical appointments, taking medication, stopping smoking, being more active and eating a healthy...
www.diabetes.org.uk

www.diabetes.org.uk

Checking your blood sugar levels​

Knowing your blood sugar levels helps you manage your diabetes and reduces your risk of having serious complications – now and in the future. What are blood sugar levels? Your blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, are a measurement that show how much glucose you have in your...
www.diabetes.org.uk

www.diabetes.org.uk

We've got a wealth of info on the site so feel free to share a bit more about yourself and ask any questions you may have.
 
HullAngel said:
Hello everyone.
A sign of the times we are in maybe.
Telephone call from nurse clinician to confirm type 2 diabetes, take metformin, cut back on carbs and sweet things, refer to living with diabetes clinic again this will be a telephone call. Blood test in two months. End of conversation. Then a text to say check Diabetes UK website. Thats me left to get on with it! I am sure there will be a lot of support from people here. Take care everyone
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You were actually quite fortunate to get any information at all - and it contained the vital element, cut back on carbohydrates and the helpful 'join a forum'.
By the time you come to their notice again you might find that you have got a good way back to normal numbers.
 
Hi, it can feel overwhelming at first. This website is the best place to be, particularly in these difficult times. The Learning Zone will give you excellent information, but I suggest you take one section a day, starting with coordinator Cherrelle's recommendations. That way you can take it in, and you can always revisit sections. Also the Forum members are very friendly and helpful - we've all had to start somewhere and asked many questions. Nothing is silly if you need to ask.
It is important to eat right and measure your blood sugar levels, as that way you will know what you can and shouldn't eat. We are all different - what affects one person may not affect another. I strongly suggest you keep a food diary and record your blood glucose levels. It will be helpful when you finally get to see or talk to a real person, and will help you make better choices. I keep my food diary electronically every day, with an app NutraCheck, but there are others. Amongst other things it measures calories and carbs by meal, day and week. It's not just for weight loss but for healthy eating. I keep digital scales and a clear bowl on my worktop for measuring quantities. Some portion sizes are remarkably small!!
If you are overweight you should look to lose those pounds. But very important is exercise. By that I don't mean pounding away at the gym every day if that's not your thing - I don't. It can be as simple as a daily 30 minute walk, or a regular swim. I do 60 minute water workout classes three times a week, and have a mini exercise bike in my kitchen for lockdowns. I also suggest you set up a signature - you will see mine below. The most important thing is your HbA1c. Knowing a few basic facts about you will help members give tailored replies.
As you have been put straight on Metformin, I am guessing your HbA1c will be above 60. Many members have said Metformin is best taken in the middle of your evening meal. Metformin can have side effects, but it's worth persevering for a couple of weeks until things settle down. If they don't I suggest you ask for the slow release version. It was actually 6 weeks before my symptoms died down but I'm fine now.
Best wishes 😎
 
Hi everyone. Newly diagnosed 8 weeks ago, and first time posting. Very unwell at home for previous 5 weeks. Emergency admission to hospital with BS of 33.1. HbA1c done in Casualy - 104. Had previously been Pre diabetic with levels of 42, 43 & 39 in 2019. Unable to get bloods done in 2020 due to Covid. Spent 9 days in hospital very unwell. Home on Metformin, Glicazide & Lantus SR insulin. Bloods 95% within 4 - 7. Have lost 2 stone (13 lbs in hospital) & 15 at home. Have a lot more to lose. Disappointed as was meant to see dietician before discharge. Unable to exercise due to spinal injury, fibromyalgia & I believe I have Long Covid. Close relative died in April 2020. Both my husband and myself ill for 3 weeks in May. I had the loss/altered taste & smell which was not then known to be a Covid symptom. No longer can drink tea or coffee. I drink hot water with a slice of lemon and orange. Have to put a sweetener in it. Hopefully in time I’ll cut the sweetener out. Cross with myself as I comfort ate from my relative dying until onset of symptoms & admission. I went into a very dark place. Totally fat shamed by horrible female endrochronologist in front of male patients. (I’m female, but was in a male bay for 2 days). Sorry, I know I’m rambling here. I’ve had fabulous support via the Helpline from a Scottish lady called Morag. Have my hospital review on Thursday coming. I’m eating mostly the same foods as I did, obviously without the comfort rubbish. Smaller portions, and reading labels on everything. Have no idea what the carbohydrate recommendation is. Don’t think I could do Keto. Thanks for reading. PS There is a possibility I may have LADA, an in between of Type 1 & 2, but I would have thought I would have heard by now. I’ll find out on Thursday
 
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Sorry to hear you are having such a rotten time. If you are Type 2 the carb recommendation is less than 130gm per day. That is total carbs including sugars. You will see on the packaging it says carbs, then "of which sugars". It it the first value you take. Otherwise my earlier post in this thread applies. I have osteoarthritis in my spine, and hip erosion, so can't stand or walk for more than a few minutes, and I get my exercise in the swimming pool. If you turn out to be LADA or Type 1, the advice would differ, and no doubt someone else could advise you. Best wishes
 
@Felina Thanks. I had my review last Thursday. They were delighted that my HbA1c had come down to 49 from 104. Got to see the dietician, so I have a better understanding now. She say always to look for ‘per hundred grams’ & not per portion. Also recommended for Fat 3 or less, and for carbs 5 or less. Rules out a lot of things I thought were healthy. Though in saying that, my BS’s are now between 4-7 with the occasional spike of 8, & the highest being 9 with no obvious reason.
 
Hi Matilda-Rose
Thanks for the update. Glad to see your HbA1c has dropped spectacularly. I'm due my review in a couple of weeks and hope I too have a reduction.
Wow, that's a harsh regime your dietician has given you. I just checked against my plan for today. My poached egg works out at 5.6gm fat per 60gm egg or 9.3gm per 100gm of egg. I always thought my breakfast of poached egg with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes was healthy, but tomatoes are high in carbs. And 100gm of my strawberry/blueberry mix has 7.6gm carbs! By the way a portion size for fruit or veg is 80gm.
I'll be interested to see if you get any feedback from other members on the dietician's instructions. But obviously what you have been doing together with your medication, has clearly worked.
 
Congratulations on the terrific progress you have made @Matilda-Rose - you must be delighted!

I’m not entirely sure I am understanding the figures per hundred grams correctly, as I can imagine very many things fitting into those criteria apart from lettuce?

Can you give us a few examples of meals you are having?
 
@everydayupsanddowns my brain is quite frazzled with it all. Yesterday for breakfast I had 2 shredded wheat 30gm of carbs with alpro coconut longline milk 200mls at 5.4gm of carbs, & an apple. Lunch was 4 black pepper ryvita 26.8 carbs with pineapple cottage cheese 6.5 carbs & a small banana 30.5 carbs. Tea was roast chicken, carbs negible, sugarsnap peas, runner beans & two baby potatoes 80gms 12gm & pepper sauce at 6.4gm ≈ 117.6gms. I didn't fully adhere to the 3 or less fat content per 100gm. Think I have worked this out correctly. I really am quite confused by it all as so much conflicting advice I'm ready for the hills
 
Matilda-Rose said:
@everydayupsanddowns my brain is quite frazzled with it all. Yesterday for breakfast I had 2 shredded wheat 30gm of carbs with alpro coconut longline milk 200mls at 5.4gm of carbs, & an apple. Lunch was 4 black pepper ryvita 26.8 carbs with pineapple cottage cheese 6.5 carbs & a small banana 30.5 carbs. Tea was roast chicken, carbs negible, sugarsnap peas, runner beans & two baby potatoes 80gms 12gm & pepper sauce at 6.4gm ≈ 117.6gms. I didn't fully adhere to the 3 or less fat content per 100gm. Think I have worked this out correctly. I really am quite confused by it all as so much conflicting advice I'm ready for the hills
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Shredded Wheat is 67g carb per 100g! I think you are looking at the sugars, not total carbs. 🙂
 
Matilda-Rose said:
@everydayupsanddowns my brain is quite frazzled with it all. Yesterday for breakfast I had 2 shredded wheat 30gm of carbs with alpro coconut longline milk 200mls at 5.4gm of carbs, & an apple. Lunch was 4 black pepper ryvita 26.8 carbs with pineapple cottage cheese 6.5 carbs & a small banana 30.5 carbs. Tea was roast chicken, carbs negible, sugarsnap peas, runner beans & two baby potatoes 80gms 12gm & pepper sauce at 6.4gm ≈ 117.6gms. I didn't fully adhere to the 3 or less fat content per 100gm. Think I have worked this out correctly. I really am quite confused by it all as so much conflicting advice I'm ready for the hills
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Oh dear - starches and sugars are not your friends - protein and fat are fine, you can deal with those, but grain, fruit, grain, fruit, starchy veges - far better to have a low carb diet and let your metabolism recover back to normal numbers.
 
Lucyr said:
You don’t eat 100g though, a portion of two is 45g in weight so 30g in carbs, so @Matilda-Rose is correct.
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True, but her dietician was telling her to ignore per portion and only look at per 100g, and to make carbs 5 or less!
 
silentsquirrel said:
True, but her dietician was telling her to ignore per portion and only look at per 100g, and to make carbs 5 or less!
Click to expand...
I don’t think it’s our place to say she should stick to that, as it seems overly harsh. The approach taken above of eating things that go over that but noting down the foods and correctly working out the total carb count seems like @Matilda-Rose is making a great start to me.
 
@Lucyr said: Dietician told me to always looks at per 100gm first, and not go straight to portion size as that can fool you into thinking something is less carbs. She said to aim for 5 or less carbs per 100gm and 3 or less for fat content. Then you count your portion size
 
Lucyr said:
I don’t think it’s our place to say she should stick to that, as it seems overly harsh. The approach taken above of eating things that go over that but noting down the foods and correctly working out the total carb count seems like @Matilda-Rose is making a great start to me.
Click to expand...
I am not saying she should stick to it at all! Almost impossible, I would say. Just that from her initial post and her post about meals - I didn't fully adhere to the fat - implies she thinks she was sticking to the carbs advice.
 
She’s either given you the wrong info on the carbs part or you’ve understood it wrong. Carrots are 7g of carb and sugar per 100g, and strawberries are 6g of carb and sugar per 100g so both over this 5g limit yet both fine within a meal. I’d stick to what you’ve done above of keeping a diary and counting the total carbs in things you eat to build an understanding of which foods have more and less carbs in.
Matilda-Rose said:
@Lucyr said: Dietician told me to always looks at per 100gm first, and not go straight to portion size as that can fool you into thinking something is less carbs. She said to aim for 5 or less carbs per 100gm and 3 or less for fat content. Then you count your portion size
Click to expand...
t
 
Matilda-Rose said:
@Lucyr said: Dietician told me to always looks at per 100gm first, and not go straight to portion size as that can fool you into thinking something is less carbs. She said to aim for 5 or less carbs per 100gm and 3 or less for fat content. Then you count your portion size
Click to expand...
I suspect even if she said <5g per 100g carbs, she meant sugars. <5gper 100g carbs is virtually impossible, and would cut out most of what you ate.
 
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