Some advice on how long it takes to get my daily blood glucose down

[Kmacy]

Hi all.
I delayed looking at the Diabetes stuff for a few months as I had some major exams to sit and just couldnt get my head around it - and didnt have the head space. I have now been measuring with my monitor my blood glucose pre and 2 hrs post meals for 7 weeks. I had another Hba1c test 2 weeks ago as the nurse suggested we sort of start again. and it went down from 104 to 77 which Im delighted about after really only 5 weeks being on low carb eating. I was never issued a prescription of Metformin as I told the Dr I addressed the diabetes post exams. I have agreed with the nurse that iI wont take Metformin as doing it on my own enables me to know how I am controlling things, whilst I appreciate the risks associated. My readings are taking a while to come down - todays have been between 8.3 (at aroun 9am when im having my coffee) and 7 pre lunch and 7.6 2 hrs post lunch. 2 weeks ago my 1st readings were around 9.5-10. and after lunch was similar 9.5-10.

Am I moving along at an OK level and should i worry that its not coming down faster?
thanks Kirsten

 

[Dave W]

For just five weeks on low carbing with no medication I think you are doing brilliantly Kirsten and it shows your diet is doing the trick. The only thing I'd suggest that might perhaps be useful is to note what you've eaten before your tests and maybe gain a more accurate insight into the foods that tend to push you up more than other foods.
Keep up that great progress!!

 

[Kmacy]

For just five weeks on low carbing with no medication I think you are doing brilliantly Kirsten and it shows your diet is doing the trick. The only thing I'd suggest that might perhaps be useful is to note what you've eaten before your tests and maybe gain a more accurate insight into the foods that tend to push you up more than other foods.
Keep up that great progress!!

Thanks Dave. I have been noting what I eat and that has really helped me adapt. I wondered if I the numbers should be going down more so thanks for your confirmation - ill just keep on the same path. Appreciate it .

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Looks like you are doing really well @Kmacy

It’s worth remembering that it can be much kinder on the body to bring levels down more gradually, and that a rapid change can, in some cases, cause the development of (usually short-term) eye or nerve damage.

Slow and steady wins the race 🙂

 

[Drummer]

I found that once I was under 8 after meals, still eating the same foods and meals, that my levels went on reducing little by little, probably as my metabolism recovered.
I am really sensitive to carbs, so I was staying below 50 gm of carbs a day for - probably - a couple of years, but my Hba1c was 42 and I wanted to lower it - so I reduced to no more than 40 gm of carbs a day and my Hba1c was - 42. Something might be broken.
Anyway - coming up to 5 years from diagnosis and still with a 40 gm a day maximum, I feel so much better, more active, lighter in weight, smaller in circumference and have been classed as in remission for a couple of years now.

 

[Kmacy]

Looks like you are doing really well @Kmacy

It’s worth remembering that it can be much kinder on the body to bring levels down more gradually, and that a rapid change can, in some cases, cause the development of (usually short-term) eye or nerve damage.

Slow and steady wins the race 🙂

Thank you. This is why this site is so invaluable. When you’re just getting on day by day, it’s hard to know if what you’re doing is ok And having this to come to is brilliant

 

[Kmacy]

I found that once I was under 8 after meals, still eating the same foods and meals, that my levels went on reducing little by little, probably as my metabolism recovered.
I am really sensitive to carbs, so I was staying below 50 gm of carbs a day for - probably - a couple of years, but my Hba1c was 42 and I wanted to lower it - so I reduced to no more than 40 gm of carbs a day and my Hba1c was - 42. Something might be broken.
Anyway - coming up to 5 years from diagnosis and still with a 40 gm a day maximum, I feel so much better, more active, lighter in weight, smaller in circumference and have been classed as in remission for a couple of years now.

Thanks that is really interesting. I can see small reductions, tiny, but going down So good to know your experience as that helps. My carbs are about the same each day . Congrats on your remission.

 

[Drummer]

Thanks that is really interesting. I can see small reductions, tiny, but going down So good to know your experience as that helps. My carbs are about the same each day . Congrats on your remission.

I suspect that you are on the same path I have followed - use your meter to check progress - you don't need to use it every day, once you settle into the way of eating. Checking after your main meal once in a while, and if it is similar to one you have eaten before and had a reasonable rise you should be confident that it is not going to be a problem but just show your progress.