Just diagnosed

[Charlz]

Hi,
I’m newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and find all the different information confusing. I’ve started taking metformin (1 a day for the first week, then 2 and then 3) ….my HbA1c reading is 48
i have recently (last 3 months)lost nearly a stone through careful eating and I am quite physically active playing football twice a week and having a long walk at the weekends
……do you think I can get away with just taking 1 metformin per day?

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi,
I’m newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and find all the different information confusing. I’ve started taking metformin (1 a day for the first week, then 2 and then 3) ….my HbA1c reading is 48
i have recently (last 3 months)lost nearly a stone through careful eating and I am quite physically active playing football twice a week and having a long walk at the weekends
……do you think I can get away with just taking 1 metformin per day?

Welcome to the forum
I'm not sure why with just being on the first rung of the diabetes ladder (diagnosis level is 48mmol/mol) you have not been given the opportunity to reduce your level by dietary changes especially as you are active and are willing to change your diet and have lost weight.
Doctors do seem to be overly keen to put people on medication rather than allow them to try by diet for 3 months and then consider the medication. Even with metformin you would need to be careful of your carbohydrate intake so why not give that a chance.
Have a look around the forum and you will see that many people reduce their HbA1C by a low carb approach without medication. It is ALL carbohydrates that convert to glucose so by reducing your intake can reduce your levels.

 

[Drummer]

That's a bit like asking if you mend the puncture or just go on stopping to pump it up every ten miles and hoping it doesn't get any worse.
If you don't take in too many carbohydrates then you can motor on without problems - as long as you are an ordinary type 2 and nothing more interesting.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Charlz, welcome to the forum.

You're correct n that there s a lot of confusing info out there so I'm glad you have joined the forum and can get some support.

We can't advise on reducing medication however, your numbers are very low and lifestyle active enough that I'd have thought they'd give you the option of diet and exercise.

Do you know when your next blood test is? I would be having a conversation about diet and exercise as the management tool of choice unless there are other factors that lead to needing medication.

Here's some info about HbA1c that might be useful for you https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/hba1c