Hi Everybody. Ive been diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic for 10 years. I’ve been on Metformin, then Metformin and Gliclazide. Now a new GP has me on Metformin and Diet….High Protein, Highish fat and low Carbohydrate (20 g daily). I’ve had A1c results up and down. I was at my best whilst on Metformin and Gliclazide. At least being on Gliclazide gave me a bit of leeway on the Carbohydrate front. Somewhat strict being off the medication. Have also been on various Glucose meters. I currently use Accu-Chek….this is the meter of choice for NHS Lothian. I also have a Sinocare “something”, and did have Tee 2….but these latter two give higher results than the Accu-Chek Instant. I appreciate its very difficult to come to terms with which meter is most accurate. I was a Laboratory Haematologist for 43 years, but also studied Biochemistry. We used to have a bit of an issue with Haematological analysers as well. Comparing The main blood analysers to Hemocue Haemoglobin analysers.
-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Hello.
- Thread starter Papadon
- Start date
- Status
Hi @Papadon welcome to the forum, its a great place and lots of support and advice from people who are way more knowledgeable than me (only diagnosed three months ago). I have Sinocare device, and Clearsens dual. I was also on a Libre2 sensor for a couple of weeks. The readings from the three devices were always different, Sinocare and Clearsens were often different by 1mmol/L and the sensor was always about 15-20 minutes behind although it was often closer to the Clearsens but never actually the same.
Hi JimmyBlue. Like you, I tried the Libre. It was good, but helluva expensive. Being type 2, I don’t get it on prescription. I’ve been in touch with the GP….i want to go back on z Gliclazide, or similar. Trying diet alone, I’m finding horrendous…especially this time of year.
@Papadon, seeing how my BG is all over the place at the moment, this time of year is definitely difficult. I am starting to put down a lot of my current issues down to lack of daily exercise. With so many people to see and places to be, I am struggling to make sure that I get a minimum of a brisk 20 minute walk in the middle of the day and longer runs and gym sessions seem to be to far apart, Thus my finger stabbing tests are showing overly high BG of 7.1 - 7.5 before meals.
My GP surgery provided me with a sensor shortly after I was first diagnosed as my BG came down quickly when I changed my diet, I got a second one due to excessive weight loss and I have a freebie from Abbott in the cupboard to use later in January depending on the outcome of my next HbA1c (end of next week). I am also thinking that I may need to up my metformin dose to two x 500mg per day from the 1 a day I am currently taking. That will please the diabetes nurse. All decisions on hold though until the new results next week.
My GP surgery provided me with a sensor shortly after I was first diagnosed as my BG came down quickly when I changed my diet, I got a second one due to excessive weight loss and I have a freebie from Abbott in the cupboard to use later in January depending on the outcome of my next HbA1c (end of next week). I am also thinking that I may need to up my metformin dose to two x 500mg per day from the 1 a day I am currently taking. That will please the diabetes nurse. All decisions on hold though until the new results next week.
@Papadon
I'd say the GP is trying to do you a favour. Going straight to 20g carbs sounds a bit ambitious. I managed to improve my HbA1c (from three figures) and health no end at 50-60g carbs per day, without medication.
How does your diet compare with this meal planner and food list?
I'd say the GP is trying to do you a favour. Going straight to 20g carbs sounds a bit ambitious. I managed to improve my HbA1c (from three figures) and health no end at 50-60g carbs per day, without medication.
How does your diet compare with this meal planner and food list?
Hi Jimmy, I’m Donald, My glucose before my Gliclazide was stopped was around 7-9. A1c was 48, but had gone up to 73. My latest GP told me that I should aim for an A1c of 58. I’ve just measured my glucose, and it’s 16…woops.
I was on 4 Metformin. My neighbour is a Pharmacist, and having spoken to two other Pharmacists, told me that I could take max 6 Metformin.
What I’m on just now…4 Metformin…is not good enough.
If you do some reading, it tells you, if you stop Gliclazide without replacing, your Blood Glucose will rise. Mine did. This is just personal for me, but 4 Metformin and diet, is not working for me. I have a friend who was on Insulin. It was stopped, and he found his Glucose and A1c all over the place.
Hi JITR. My GP wanted me eating eggs for breakfast. Lots of meat, cutting out Bread. I had stopped Biscuits. I eat this low carb Danish bread. More importantly, since end of July, my daughter has had a life threatening condition. Lots of hospital visits and testing. She’s on the waiting list for Papworth. Have to admit, comparing her with me not easing a biscuit or two, or eating Pizza or Chinese takeaway, became less important. The good thing is…from last March, I’ve lost around 2 stones, without trying to diet. There is no doubt, this past few months has gone down the drain. I had been keeping my Glucose at around 9…but it gradually went up. Now, I just try to keep it as low as I can. I’ve contacted my own GP to try some different Meds. We rarely visit, it’s hard to get appointments, but she is happy that we write to each other.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I think the maximum dose of metformin is a total of 2000mg.
Metformin will only help the body use the insulin it produces more effectively whereas the gliclazide would have been encouraging your pancreas to produce more insulin if it was able. Cutting your carbs to keto level 20g per day would have been unsuitable if you had been on the gliclazide as it requires some carbs to work and for people to be safe from the risk of hypos (low blood glucose)
I am surprised if you have cut the carbs to that level that your blood glucose is remaining high unless your liver is releasing glucose. Have you done some before and 2 hour post meal testing to see what the difference is. It could be in the absence of carbs your metabolism is converting the proteins into glucose.
What are you having for your meals?
Metformin will only help the body use the insulin it produces more effectively whereas the gliclazide would have been encouraging your pancreas to produce more insulin if it was able. Cutting your carbs to keto level 20g per day would have been unsuitable if you had been on the gliclazide as it requires some carbs to work and for people to be safe from the risk of hypos (low blood glucose)
I am surprised if you have cut the carbs to that level that your blood glucose is remaining high unless your liver is releasing glucose. Have you done some before and 2 hour post meal testing to see what the difference is. It could be in the absence of carbs your metabolism is converting the proteins into glucose.
What are you having for your meals?
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Having just read this, I am seeing red flags as you are saying you have lost weight without trying and blood glucose is high makes me think you may be Type 1 or LADA not Type 2 which would explain why your keto diet is not working.
I suggest you speak to your GP about having the tests for Type 1,c-peptide and antibodies.
You mentioned the sinocare monitor and I recall people had found that unreliable.
As you must be aware lab instrumentation will be costing many thousands and they still can have glitches let alone a home monitor costing a few pounds.
@Leadinglights well you just ruined my Christmas, my Sinocare was giving me great results, better than the Caresens one 
Hopefully the Libre2 is a bit more accurate as that was giving me some nice numbers and forecasting a much improved HbA1c.
Hopefully the Libre2 is a bit more accurate as that was giving me some nice numbers and forecasting a much improved HbA1c.
Hi Donald (@Papadon) my weight loss caused some nervous reactions in the GP practice and I ended up going for a variety of tests including a Gastroscopy (and they found a new totally unrelated issue for which they want to give me meds). All of these tests came back negative and my wife has been proved right (again); my weight loss was a consequence of cutting out carbs but not putting in enough replacement fats and protein to maintain my calorie intake.
Has anyone measured your ketone levels? One of the reasons they sent me for the tests was that a couple of tests showed my ketone levels to be elevated at around 0.7. The acceptable range is 0-0.6 apparently. This was also an indicator that I was not consuming enough fat and protein. I have subsequently modified my diet to eat more veg, a bit more meet, I also make bread rolls using the recipe for Fat Head Dough Buns in the Freshwells app which I enjoy making and eating.
For me the thought that I will be on meds for ever is not an enthralling vision of my future but for others, if it means avoiding the worst effects of diabetes, I can well understand why they want to make sure that they are getting the right ones. I do think that you need a more comprehensive discussion with your doctor or diabetes nurse and perhaps the advice from @Leadinglights might get you into the office for the conversation.
Has anyone measured your ketone levels? One of the reasons they sent me for the tests was that a couple of tests showed my ketone levels to be elevated at around 0.7. The acceptable range is 0-0.6 apparently. This was also an indicator that I was not consuming enough fat and protein. I have subsequently modified my diet to eat more veg, a bit more meet, I also make bread rolls using the recipe for Fat Head Dough Buns in the Freshwells app which I enjoy making and eating.
For me the thought that I will be on meds for ever is not an enthralling vision of my future but for others, if it means avoiding the worst effects of diabetes, I can well understand why they want to make sure that they are getting the right ones. I do think that you need a more comprehensive discussion with your doctor or diabetes nurse and perhaps the advice from @Leadinglights might get you into the office for the conversation.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Papadon
Sorry to hear that your HbA1c has been rising recently, despite your careful menu. It does sound unusual to have such a high BG level when you are on such a low carbohydrate menu. It sounds as though your metabolism is struggling a bit, even without food contributing much.
As @Leadinglights says, unintentional weight loss might also be an indication of something going on under the surface, and might need investigating?
Sorry to hear that your HbA1c has been rising recently, despite your careful menu. It does sound unusual to have such a high BG level when you are on such a low carbohydrate menu. It sounds as though your metabolism is struggling a bit, even without food contributing much.
As @Leadinglights says, unintentional weight loss might also be an indication of something going on under the surface, and might need investigating?
- Status