Newly diagnosed Fasting glucose and testing advice

[taylormade]

Hi I was diagnosed and joined the forum last week and have found the site and the forum amazing and have learned so much already. I thought I’d give an update and have a couple of questions. I’m type 2 with Hba1c of 88 and started on metformin 3 days ago. I’ve been tracking my food using an app and walking for about 10 days and lost 3lbs. I’ve also signed up for the million steps which might be a stretch as I’m very unfit and a lot of weight to lose. Following advice on here I got a monitor and been testing for 3 days. My fasting glucose on waking and before meals is around 10.9. As examples 2 hours after meals my breakfast of one slice of whole meal seeded toast with butter and coffee it spiked to 18. But after shredded wheat was 14. For evening I went out for a meal and opted for steak and chips no starter or bread and ate half the chips and only went up to 11.9 so much smaller rise. So really interesting and thanks for the advice as had I followed the advice I was given I would be thinking I’m doing great on wholemeal toast. Obviously the fasting is too high so wanted to ask what your experience was on initial diagnosis and will that come down over time? Also what would be a reasonable increase following breakfast and would 3mmol increase be considered ok? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Also following Alan post advice I am amazed at how easy testing is. I was really daunted it would be painful but I set the device on low as someone suggested and I hardly feel it. I thought I’d let others know in case that is putting you off trying. Even though the levels are high I feel much more positive and in control. A huge thanks to everyone who posts on here.

 

[Leadinglights]

It is great that you have started testing and as you have found there are some surprises at the foods which cause rises and some not so much. As newly diagnosed your fasting level and the other pre meal are still probably going to be high than what you eventually will be aiming at but at this stage the important thing is to build up a repertoire of foods and meals which don't increase the level by more than 3mmol/l. You will also learn that by having some protein or fat along side the carbohydrate will tend to lessen the increase. It is a good idea not to dismiss a particular food after just 1 reading as other things can affect the response. People are often more sensitive to carbs in the morning and find cereals and toast not too good for them. Good breakfast options are full fat Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds or maybe just a scattering of something like All bran or low sugar granola mainly for the 'crunch' or bacon and eggs, mushrooms, scrambled egg, omelette.
I would find even half a portion of chips too much carbs so would probably opt for salad and coleslaw with the steak.
At the beginning you are collecting information and looking for trends, then you can be making better food choices.

 

[taylormade]

Thanks that’s reassuring

 

[trophywench]

@taylormade Alan S's advice to 'test, review, adjust' is still brilliant, despite the fact he wrote his blog so long ago! - and, he's a very very nice man!

 

[trophywench]

Oh and PS - he wrote the article 'Testing on a budget' after he became aware that most T2s in the UK have to pay for their own testing kit and strips - unlike his native Australia.

 

[taylormade]

@taylormade Alan S's advice to 'test, review, adjust' is still brilliant, despite the fact he wrote his blog so long ago! - and, he's a very very nice man!

It really was brilliant so helpful for newbies